Eckhart TolleNYT Bestselling author of the Power of Now

Eckhart answers a grieving mother | Eckhart Tolle

10 Oct 2026 · 5 min

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4:36

In this brief interview segment, Eckhart Tolle responds to Katerina from Greece, whose 10‑year‑old daughter died in an accident four months earlier. He acknowledges that the loss of a child is an extreme challenge that will generate recurring waves of deep sadness. Tolle advises Katerina to allow these waves to arise, to stay aware of them, and to witness the suffering without resistance. He emphasizes surrender to the present reality of grief, and suggests that in the intervals between the waves she should cultivate presence, connecting with the timeless essence that underlies both her and her daughter – described as the "light of consciousness" or soul, which does not die. By repeatedly returning to this presence, she can gradually transmute her pain, allowing it to become a catalyst for awakening. The tone is compassionate, calm, and instructional, with a supportive and hopeful sentiment toward the possibility of spiritual growth through suffering.

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Realize that this is that which does not die. It is the light of consciousness itself. You could— some people call it soul. It is the light of consciousness itself that is the essence of you, as it is also the essence of your daughter. Question from Katerina from Greece, this country. My 10-year-old daughter died in an accident 4 months ago. You often mention that suffering like this can burn up the ego and speed up awakening. Yes. What is your advice for me during this challenging time? What could I do to transmute my pain into awakening? Or is this something that spontaneously happens? Well, death, of course, is one of the extreme challenges, and especially death of a child is very extreme, a very extreme challenge. It is inevitable that waves of, of deep sadness will come for a considerable amount of time. That is to be accepted. And the The waves of sadness come periodically, and when they come, it's important to stay aware while they come, but allow them to come. Don't feel that I shouldn't, this should not be happening. It is a form of suffering, of course, that emotional suffering. Allow it to come. And witness it. A certain amount of surrender you bring to the fact that this is what you're experiencing now. And in between, when the waves are not happening, be as present as possible so that you are in touch with that which transcends Both the physical vehicle and the mind-created person, so that you go deep enough and you sense the essence of you, which is timeless, not subject to death. You have motivation because otherwise it will be terrible. To sense the essence of you and then realize, perhaps beyond concepts, realize that this is that which does not die. It is the light of consciousness itself. You could— some people call it soul. It is the light of consciousness itself that is the essence of you, as it is also the essence of your daughter, and that does—
did not die.
Thank you.