*An interview I conducted with Eckhart Tolle, bestselling author of “The Power of Now,” and “A New Earth”. Interviews were conducted while working as a journalist for Summit at their annual flagship event.

In the 60s, it seemed like a revolution of consciousness was imminent. How is today's revolution of consciousness different?

Eckhart Tolle: It's not that the revolution of consciousness was imminent; the revolution of conscience actually happened in the 60s. This was a time when Tibet had been invaded by the Chinese, and Tibetan lamas had to go into exile, and many great eastern teachers had to move to the west. It also coincided with a period of great conflict within the United States, producing an enormous social divide in the country. There was a massive revival of spirituality in the 60's. But the evolution of consciousness comes in waves, it's not a continuous upward movement. Though that wave subsided, it was not lost. Only when you look at the surface of things, it seems as if we have been regressing since then. We're now experiencing another wave in the evolution of consciousness, which would not be possible if it weren't for the '60s.

It seems you're proposing that societal evolution has a sort of layering effect and that we are only building upon previous generations. Does that make you optimistic about the future of humanity?

Eckhart Tolle: I'm optimistic, but I'm a long-term optimist. I know that in the long term, the future is guaranteed because the universe wants to continue evolving as consciousness. Though, I am not necessarily a short-term optimist. The wave that we are now experiencing at this present time will come to an end - it may be already coming to an end - we don't know because we are in the middle of it. You can't know things when you're in the middle of them; you don't have a perspective on it.

The strange thing is in the 60's you would have said, 'how can a society that is so conflicted produce something transcendent?' It's precisely because of the conflict. Comfort zones are not the place where spiritual enlightening is going to happen, whether in a person or a society. Spiritual awakening occurs when you're experiencing huge challenges; when you're out of your comfort zone; when there's suffering.

Talking about awakening, now the majority of populations live in densely populated urban environments, where they are inundated with modern stressors, does this present a barrier to spiritual awakening? Can enduring peace occur in this cultural environment?

Eckhart Tolle: Yes. Actually, it's often in dense metropolises that spiritual awakening occurs. We often associate awakening with people who are living in remote parts of the desert or somewhere in remote monasteries. Remember, spiritual works like "A Course in Miracles" was written in Manhattan. Kahlil Gibran was living in New York when he wrote " The Prophet." People think, "Oh, he must have written that in some remote monastery in the Middle East." It's often in big cities where you think the environment would be least conducive that things happen.

Are you an advocate for contemplative practice in academic and corporate settings?

Eckhart Tolle: The most important thing is for schools to bring contemplative practice into every school curriculum. So many things taught at schools are ultimately quite useless, while the important things are not taught. To teach children how to deal with emotions, how to deal with their own mind, that should be subject number 1 in every school. Then, of course, into corporations, if they're ready for it. Many corporations still don't want to know about it. But their work environment will become much more pleasant for everybody; they may also become more successful. This is part of the work we all need to do. I definitely want to focus more and more on bringing the message of awareness and practical knowledge to the schools, colleges, and so on. Especially schools, because we go at such a young age.

What brings you to Summit? What would you hope people take away from your talk and presence?

Eckhart Tolle: Anything they remember on the conceptual level is secondary, so I don't actually give them knowledge as such, but a realization of the possibility of living in a state of awareness. The dimension of consciousness that is within them so that what they take away is ultimately the realization of who they are in their essence. Not a memory of a talk.

Summit Flagship Event: Interview With Eckhart Tolle