Two authors, two very different backgrounds, two timeless truths intertwined for one universal message of oneness.
Throughout history, we have been able to study some of the greatest minds of various time periods, and by virtue of doing so, we ultimately realize that though these minds may be of different races and kinds, they have had insight to offer coming generations. Though they were from two different races, in two time periods, both W.E.B. Du Bois and Eckhart Tolle have ultimately provided timeless observation, and quite possibly, universal truths, in their writings.
To begin, W.E.B. Du Bois, who is widely recognized as a significant figure for his pursuit of social justice, coined the term “double consciousness.” He used this to describe the separation between one’s conception of self, derived from external influences, as opposed to how one truly feels emotionally within; and in introducing these concepts, he found a way to describe the quintessential experience of black race in America— the concepts of “the veil” and “double-consciousness.” Though Du Bois uses these terms separately, their meanings and usage in his works are deeply intertwined just as they are in every waking moment of life.
“Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like [them perhaps] in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil.”
That is, just as the white girl looking through the veil could not properly see DuBois for who he was beyond his skin, he in turn could not clearly see the whole white race because of his one negative encounter with her as well, which he then projected onto the entire white race.
Author Eckhart Tolle speaks of this same concept. At 29, the renowned author tells a story of how he hit a wall when in the midst of suicidal thoughts. His veil was within himself–how he viewed himself based merely on how others looked at him, disconnected from behind his own veil of how he truly felt, emotionally and physiologically. That is, when a continuous voice within his mind repeated “I cannot live with myself” and what followed was a revelation–and that revelation, like that of Socrates, was a question: “Who is I and who is myself?”
This separation from thought and feeling was the paradoxical disconnect that is forever linked. Thoughts, Tolle says, are cumulative ideas and collective opinions conditioned into the mind and passed onto you from past generations. Like the white girl who could only see a black man through the experience of a white American, Du Bois would say the opinion of the blacks towards themselves were conditioned by those in positions of power condemning them as inferior in a country built off the exploitation of their free labor. Tolle, on the other hand, a white man from Britain, would say those thoughts that haunt your mind are nothing more than fears from past moments and cumulative experiences transcribing themselves to the present moment as stress and fear in our individualistic driven societies where the need to stand apart from the crowd is vital to our existence. What we think and how we feel are in direct connection; though the further we feel we are from what we think of ourselves, the more trauma one feels emotionally. One can see oneself as one thing, however, if the opinions of the masses don’t align with that, then there is an emotional disconnect to the conceived thought, perpetuating the negative perception of self and/or situation
An example of this is a black man who , like DuBois, was capable in the 19th century. Intelligent, charming, handsome, yet deprived of resources and opportunities by policy legislated with outdated expectations and perceptions of the black human being. This very incapability to fulfill his potential leaves him at a disconnect from how he feels about himself, fusing with what others think of him, and what he ultimately must accept as his identity.
Tolle says we carry conditioned perceptions and expectations of ourselves which reverberate in our heads as inner conversation, otherwise, know as thoughts allow. These thoughts align with how we feel emotionally, with that of our perceived self, otherwise called the ego. The further we feel from our perceived self, or ego, the worst we feel about ourselves, causing us to feel deficient and incapable; however, when one diminishes these expectations of self and others, one is then vacant of this inner conversation and is now present in the moment to deal with what is here and now. Rather than be tormented by these conditioned expectations, one can truly be present, and see what is as it is.
Therefore, in being totally present, we can truly observe life and the world objectively, and see its beauty as a constant moving flux where our participation is vital to its existence, as it is to ours. In living with this understanding, and knowing that there is a constant dance of double consciousness in every waking moment, we can better live our lives more passionately and empathetically. What we give out is a direct reflection of what we’re taking in, and what we take in is a direct reflection of what we give out.
Our inner world is a construct of the external past, and how it has related to the inner spirits of those before us. The material world which is created by god and its creations, us humans, is simply the reflection of this connection between the two.
While Du Bois defined double consciousness as the distance between oneself and external phenomenon–feeling as though you have more than one social identity–Tolle has recently introduced the idea of double consciousness within oneself: feeling as though you have more than one identity from one’s own ego.
This is the connection I make combining both the work of Eckhart Tolle and W.E B. Du Bois: how a black man, concerned with his external world and its relation to him, and a white man free from restrictions, more concerned with his relation to himself, came together to describe virtually the same thing is no mistake, but more an indication of social indices.
The universal truth stands: no matter race or time, we are all one in pursuit of the same experience. Our daily reality is a reflection of a predominate inner state based off historical past and expectation; and that inner state is proven to be directly linked to the connection with others.
In being conscious of this connection; and in being conscious of our personal dimension, as well as connective dimension with others – we can imagine the combining factors of these two worlds constantly coming together to make your reality. In being aware of this, we can make the decision within self to give out loving and encouraging energy, rather than inflicting pain on others; for, what we say about others is more a reflection of ourselves and our inner worlds.
– Hurtjohn
