The $80 Million Mindfulness: Inside Eckhart Tolle’s Empire of Now

From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Wealth

In today’s self-help landscape, Eckhart Tolle is the equivalent of a rock star. With bestsellers like The Power of Now, Tolle has built an empire. His seminars are packed, online courses are selling out, and his estimated net worth sits at around $80 million. Not bad for a guy who’s essentially telling people, “Just be in the moment.”

I've read The Power of Now several times and watched countless video clips of him. His modest aura and simple attire had me impressed at first. But as you probably guessed by now, I’m not here to sing praises for Master Eckhart. I have a different agenda. Let’s take it slow, though—breathe in, breathe out. Ah, the power of now.

After reading The Power of Now, I started diving into sutras, Buddhist root texts, and ancient tantras. To my surprise, I discovered that Eckhart was taking handfuls of ancient wisdom and serving it to us with minimal seasoning. Actually, scratch that—no seasoning. Just simplified, as if he were addressing children or those with short attention spans. It’s easy reading, perfectly tailored for the modern mind. From "observing the thinker" to "rising above thought and ego"—all these ideas were written down centuries ago.

So here’s the tale of Master Eckhart, the second Buddha. From being deeply depressed and “loathing the world,” he claims to have woken up one day to a huge, blissful calmness. Suddenly, he’s in a state of permanent peace.

It feels like a new kind of enlightenment: progressive, easier, home-delivered, and “improved with better ingredients.” Why sit motionless under a fig tree for 49 days? Have you ever tried to sit without moving for even an hour? I have, and it took me ten days of constant practice during a silent Vipassana retreat to manage it. Not an easy task, believe me. Your body wants to shift, to do anything but stay still. But even in those sixty minutes, there’s a taste of something profound.

However, 49 days is a different level—that’s 1,176 hours, and that’s what the Buddha did before his awakening. He put in his hours, and by doing so, he transformed his mind. I truly believe this is possible if you’re willing to follow his steps. I dare you.

But here comes the Second Buddha, the sequel. He’s faster and has more “computing power.” He can wake up from the dream of life in the blink of an eye. Eckhart Tolle’s enlightenment is bish, bash, posh. Just like that.

Let’s pause for a second and break down these “revelations.” He’s depressed, so he’s clearly suffering—this is Buddha’s First Noble Truth: dukkha, or suffering. Then, like Buddha, Eckhart “awakens” and enters a state beyond thought and ego, free from craving or aversion. Sounds pretty familiar if you’ve read any original Buddhist texts.

Then, Eckhart mentions seeing a diamond—oddly enough, the diamond metaphor is also ancient. There’s an entire Buddhist text called The Diamond Sutra, which symbolises the rarity and indestructibility of our true nature. Buddha knew about this. But I kept thinking, “This is great news! Eckhart must be the new Buddha!”

Then I wondered: if he’s really following in Buddha’s footsteps, why is his net worth $80 million? Imagine Jesus Christ—who is considered by Buddhists as a type of “Buddha”—charging $200 a head for the Sermon on the Mount.

The Cost of “Easy” Enlightenment

The teachings of Buddha and Jesus have power precisely because their lives embodied the messages. They taught detachment and renunciation and practiced these values until their last breaths. Buddha gave free teachings, Jesus preached without asking for a fee, and both died still in service to others.

Meanwhile, Eckhart Tolle charges $1,000 for a few days' retreat (plus accommodation and food). If you want to ask him a question, be prepared to pay extra. His teachings are all about being free from attachment, yet he “strictly forbids recording devices” during his events. He must be attached to his words a little. Enlightenment isn’t free—it’s an expensive commodity.

And who are these “better lives” he speaks of creating for? Millions struggle to make ends meet—single mothers, the unemployed, those who can’t even pay their bills. They’re the ones who truly need spiritual support. But they won’t be getting near Eckhart.

Of all people, Eckhart should know the importance of a teacher’s presence. Jesus knew; he stayed with his students to the very end. Eckhart’s teachings have become a commercial enterprise, selling enlightenment to those with the cash to spare. Nirvana, it seems, comes with a price tag, and he’s made it onto the rich list by capitalising on it. He's a brilliant businessman, turning spirituality into an exclusive club for those with disposable income.

So, why is someone who teaches about detachment and “living in the now” so concerned about piling up wealth? What is he planning to do with his immense fortune? When will he begin building “the New Earth”?

If Eckhart’s message resonates with you, consider trying a Vipassana silent retreat. Over ten days of intense practice, following in the footsteps of the real Buddha and his teachings, you’ll learn to observe your body and mind as they truly operate. This is a purely scientific approach: observing bodily sensations and striving to remain neutral to them. This is the essence of true “observing”—both the mind and body.

At a Vipassana retreat, you’ll receive accommodation, nourishing food and drinks, access to meditation halls and facilities, and silent helpers to support any needs you may have. A teacher will also be available to answer your questions. Following the Buddha’s example, Vipassana centers are run entirely by volunteers and funded through voluntary donations. No price tags. Just mere compassion and love.

PayPal donations: rezowiecki@gmail.com