A brief YouTube monologue by Eckhart Tolle arguing that suffering does not arise from external situations (even severe ones such as imprisonment or loss). He emphasizes attending to everyday small-scale suffering to build presence, which enables one to face larger waves of suffering without becoming unhappy—challenges may continue after awakening but no longer cause unhappiness.
Suffering does not arise from situations. Even seemingly very difficult situations. Like being in prison or losing your livelihood, losing your partner. All kinds of things. You have to watch the small scale suffering which happens every day. You build up presence power to be able to confront large scale suffering. When it comes, it will come sooner or later. Becomes in waves. Even after awakening. Challenges come but they don't make you unhappy anymore. That's the difference.
Why alcohol feels like relief, and what it is really giving you | Eckhart Tolle
