You know, that idea from Eckhart Tolle, “Whatever you think people are withholding from you,” is a game-changer. It flips the script on our usual complaints and puts the power right back in our hands. Instead of waiting to receive, the secret is to start giving it away first.
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Meaning
The core message is radical empowerment: stop waiting for external validation and become the source of what you feel you lack.
Explanation
Okay, let’s break this down. We’ve all been there, right? You’re working your tail off and feel invisible, no appreciation. Or you’re in a relationship and feel like you’re giving more love than you’re getting back. The natural reaction is to contract, to build a little wall, and to withhold yourself even more. Tolle is saying that’s the exact opposite of what works. That feeling of lack? It’s a signal. It’s not a signal that the world is failing you; it’s a signal that you are failing to generate that energy yourself. So when you give praise freely, even when you feel starved for it, you start to become a person of appreciation. You fill your own cup. It’s alchemical. The need for external validation just… softens.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Relationship (329) |
| Topics | gratitude (64), love general (86), reciprocity (6) |
| Literary Style | didactic (370), simple (291) |
| Emotion / Mood | kind (19), reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Tolle’s 1997 mega-bestseller, The Power of Now. It was first published in Canada and has since become a foundational text in modern spirituality. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this phrasing is uniquely Tolle’s from that specific book.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Eckhart Tolle (45) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (45) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
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
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Whatever you think people are withholding from you—praise, appreciation, love—give it to them |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1997; ISBN: 978-1577314806; Last Edition: New World Library Edition (2004); Number of Pages: 229 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 8: Enlightened Relationships, Page 169 |