You know, “Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there'” is one of those quotes that seems simple at first, but the more you sit with it, the more it just clicks. It’s not just about time management, it’s about where your mind is living.
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Meaning
The core message is that our mental resistance to the present moment—our constant wishing things were different—is the very engine that generates stress.
Explanation
Let me break it down. Think about the last time you felt really stressed. Chances are, your body was in one place, but your mind was somewhere else entirely. It was rehashing a conversation from yesterday, or it was anxiously projecting into a meeting tomorrow. That gap, that friction between your physical reality and your mental narrative, is where stress thrives. It’s not the situation itself, but your relationship to the situation. When you stop fighting the “here and now” and fully accept it, that tension just… dissolves. The energy you were using to resist reality becomes available to you again.
Quote Summary
Reading Level74
Aesthetic Score85
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Eckhart Tolle’s 1997 book, The Power of Now. It’s a cornerstone of his teachings. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific, beautifully concise phrasing is 100% Tolle, originating from his work in the late 90s, primarily associated with his life in Canada and the UK.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Eckhart Tolle, born in Germany in 1948, became widely known after his transformative insights at age 29 led him to teach about presence and inner stillness. He later settled in Vancouver and wrote The Power of Now and A New Earth, which topped bestseller lists and inspired millions. He collaborates with major platforms, hosts retreats, and shares teachings through his online portal. The also includes Stillness Speaks and Guardians of Being. He writes in a clear, compassionate voice that invites practical practice in everyday life.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there' |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1997; ISBN: 978-1577314806; Last Edition: New World Library Edition (2004); Number of Pages: 229 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 2: Consciousness: The Way Out of Pain, Page 39 |
Context
In the book, this isn’t just a passing thought. It’s the foundational argument. Tolle builds his entire case for spiritual enlightenment on this one idea—that our identification with our restless, time-bound mind (the “ego”) is the root of all human suffering, and the only way out is to anchor your awareness firmly in the present, the “Now.”
Usage Examples
So how do you actually use this? It’s a game-changer for a few key audiences.
- For the Overwhelmed Professional: Staring at a massive project, feeling that tightness in your chest? That’s wanting to be at the finished line, not at the starting line. The stress melts when you bring your focus back to just the one single, small, next action.
- For Anyone in a Tough Situation: Stuck in traffic? You can rage against the reality of the red taillights (wanting to be “there”), or you can accept you’re “here” and maybe listen to a great podcast. The situation hasn’t changed, but your suffering has.
- For Leaders & Coaches: It’s a powerful reframe to share with a team or client who is anxious about outcomes. It shifts the focus from the uncontrollable future to the manageable present.
To whom it appeals?
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FAQ
Question: Does this mean I shouldn’t plan for the future or have goals?
Answer: Not at all. It’s about the *energy* behind your planning. You can set a goal for the future while still being fully engaged in the present steps. The stress comes when you’re so attached to the future outcome that you can’t be present for the work required to get there.
Question: So I just have to accept a bad situation and do nothing?
Answer: This is the biggest misconception. Acceptance isn’t passivity. First, you completely accept the *reality* of the present moment. “This is what is.” From that place of clear, un-resisting awareness, you can then take intelligent, effective action, rather than reacting from a place of panic and stress.
Question: Is this the same as mindfulness?
Answer: Absolutely. It’s the core principle of mindfulness. Tolle’s genius was in distilling this ancient wisdom into such a simple, modern, and relatable phrase.
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