“I don't want it to end, and so, as every therapist knows, the ego does not want an end to its “problems” because they are part of its identity. If no one will listen to my sad story, I can tell it to myself in my head, over and over, and feel sorry for myself, and so have an identity as someone who is being treated unfairly by life or other people, fate or God. It gives definition to my self-image, makes me into someone, and that is all that matters to the ego.”

German spiritual teacher and self-help author

Eckhart Tolle is a German spiritual teacher and self-help author, best known for books such as The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, and Guardians of Being. His work focuses on spirituality, presence, and personal awakening. The best-known titles associated with him present those ideas in practical form, from spiritual teaching to reflective self-help and, in the case of Guardians of Being, a picture book.