On eastern spiritual traditions and psychology (and as little as possible on "ET" (to whom I think he bears a remarkable resemblance as well...), my indifference prevails- One of the most important contributions, in my opinion, of eastern spiritual traditions to western psychology is the special and practical, even scientific approach to ending or allaying personal suffering. The practical approach involves a practice, of course, that is usually a form of meditation or Yoga (I mean the eight-limbs -ashtanga- of Vedic tradition) and not just an opinion that, "Oh yes, stillness is where joy lies" and "we would have world peace if everyone was enlightened" which is how I summarize ET's "magnificent" contribution. (Pictures of him with his eyes closed! Please explain? http://www.eckharttolle.com/mainpage.htm) All the talk about world peace and how the world is coming to an end is very grandiose. More to the point, it is not very helpful. Also, don't forget that one of the most important and influential texts of Eastern religion and philosophy is the immortal and charming dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield where Arjuna was afraid to accept and face his dharma as a warrior... It is terribly naive to believe that a meditation or yoga practice will bring world peace. I mean you can pray for world peace, and if everyone practiced yoga, Hugger-Mugger and Yoga Journal would be mega-corporations, and if everyone meditated, or "if everyone was perfect..." it's just not realistic or practical, and sort of repulsive. A (theraputic and) spiritual practice involves discipline and even discomfort and startling discoveries sometimes not welcome, and does not often provide a short term solution to everyday problems of suffering people face (which is the reason they ultimately seek out the help and advice of professionals like yourself, right? some kind of psychic or spiritual incongruity, dis-union, conflict?) For some people suffering terribly, meditation can be dangerous. In India they have signs at the hospital that say "medical emergency, this way. Kundalini emergency, that way." Tee-hee. Eastern spiritual practices offer practical solutions to rejoining the Self, unwinding suffering, getting all the ducks swimming in the same direction, no? Zen meditation and yoga practice also deal with a higher power or the "seeking of God or higher power" or "Self" (ego-less) seeking which is, after all the definition of spirituality. (So, interestingly enough, does one of the most effective theraputic models in the 20th century - AA. ) Mark Epstein, even though he is kind of pop-eastern psychology, has some interesting writing too. I think lost people are attracted to Eckhardt Tolle because he talks about becoming "still" (OK what does he mean by that) and "joyful" (OK what does he mean by that?) with out having to do any real work (maybe joy is not having to work?) Instant gratification. Very appealing to the "western tradition". I mean life in India and Buddhist origin countries, well it is very different than here and there is really much more physical suffering and poverty and even violence - what is gratification when you are starving? I don't think Mr. Tolle is in any way in touch with that reality. Most of the western psychologists of the 19th, 20th and 21st century agree that problems occur when there is psychic conflict in some fundamental way. Their reasons and treatments might differ but it seems they all pretty much agree on that. It seems that eastern traditions have something very valid and appealing to westerners who are willing to do the work and practice the "therapy" (meditation, yoga...) The theraputic value of a spiritually based meditation, or spiritually-based theraputic practice is very significant, and very popluar now. And very marketable! As sweet as he appears, doesn't offer any kind of meaningful solution in a practical way. He just says we "should" all be joyful and if you don't see the joy, you just don't get the meaning of life and will be destined to violence and misery. Not only do I find this ridiculously sophomoric, it is divisive, it implies that he and those who agree with him are somehow on a higher plane than everybody else and if they would only get it, gee the world will be a better place. Oh, OK, there is joy in nature... It's really condescending I think and a very bad example of compassion-based "westernized" psychological adaptaions of eastern traditions. Because just because you say it is doesn't make it so. With him, there is less substance and more cult of personality, I think. (Pema Chodrun, even, in all her militant feminst glory offers a better alternative in this month's ...I think Shambala Sun.) And if you have made it this far along in my message here... I didn't want to send this without offering some viable alternatives so I am generating a good list in good faith although I trust you know of these wise beacons - : Recent article on how meditation effects brain: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43006-2005Jan2.html My Reading List: I Am That, Sri Nisgardatta Selected Teachings of Ramana Maharishi Namarupa Magazine Christopher Isherwood http://www.vedanta.com/getpage.cfm?file=titles/10000005.html Living Wisdom: Vedanta in the West - Pravrajika Vrajaprana (Editor) Essay on Gita and the War - By Christopher Isherwood  93-99). Anything by Robert Thurman - his new book "Infinite Life" says what ET is trying to say much more eloquently, I think. Zen Buddhism– Garma C. C. Chang The Buddhist Teachings of Totality, The Philosophy of Hwa Yen Buddhism – Grama C. C. Chang The Tacit Dimension – Michael Polanyi Zen Teachings of Huang Po – John Blofeld Three Pillars of Zen – Phillip Kapleau Zen and Zen Classics, 5 volumes – R. H. Blyth Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics  – R.H. Blyth What the Buddha Taught  – Wapola Rahula Zen and the Taming of the Bull, Towards the Definition of Buddhist Thought – Walpola Rahula Chan and Zen Teachings – Charles Luk (also known as Lu Kuan Yu) Original Teachings of Chan Buddhism – Chang Chung-Yuan The Ox and His Herdsman, A Chinese Zen Text – Master D. R. Otsu, Translated by M. H. Trevor Zen Keys – Thich Nhat Hahn Zen Philosphy Zen Practice –Thich Thien An A Gradual Awakening – Stephen Levine The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects – Alexandra David-Neel Essays in Zen Buddhism Series 1 - 3, Mahayana Buddhism Series 4, Zen Doctrine of No Mind Series 5 –D. T. Suzuki Ambivalent Zen–  Lawrence Shainberg Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings Compiled – Paul Reps Siddhartha – Herman Hesse The Transposed Heads – Herman Hesse Awakening the Buddha Within – Lama Surya Das Be the Person You Want To Find – Cheri Huber Chan and Zen Teaching (First Series) by Charles Luk - (Lu K'uan Yu Chan and Zen Teaching (Second Series) by Charles Luk Chan Zen Teaching (Third Series) By Charles Luk