Religion and ritual can be vehicles for entering stillness. It says in Psalm 46:10, 'Be still, and know that I am God.' But they are still just vehicles. The Buddha called his teaching a raft: You don't need to carry it around with you after you've crossed the river.

In this quote, Eckhart Tolle reflects on the role of religion and ritual in helping individuals access stillness and a deeper connection with the divine. He acknowledges that practices like prayer, meditation, and ritual can serve as important vehicles or tools for entering a state of inner calm and awareness. However, Tolle emphasizes that these rituals are not ends in themselves, but rather pathways to a greater spiritual understanding. This aligns with the sentiment in Psalm 46:10, which encourages one to "Be still, and know that I am God," highlighting the importance of stillness in recognizing the divine presence.

Tolle's comparison of religious practices to a vehicle suggests that while they can lead to profound spiritual experiences, they should not be clung to after their purpose has been fulfilled. This is further illustrated by his reference to the Buddha's teaching, where the raft symbolizes a tool that helps you cross a river, but once you’ve crossed, you no longer need to carry the raft. In this context, rituals and religious practices are helpful in guiding people toward a deeper state of being, but they are not meant to be permanent attachments or crutches. Once the goal of spiritual realization or inner peace is reached, the rituals themselves become unnecessary.

The key point Tolle makes is that the ultimate aim is stillness, a state of pure awareness where one is connected to the divine or to the essence of being itself. Whether through religion, meditation, or mindfulness, the purpose is to arrive at a place of inner tranquility and clarity. Tolle suggests that the teachings and tools from both religious and spiritual traditions are valuable for getting there, but once you reach that state, you can let go of the tools and simply be. It’s about finding the truth beyond the forms and the methods used to access it.

The origin of this quote is deeply rooted in Tolle's philosophy, which blends elements of Christianity, Buddhism, and New Age spirituality. In his bestselling book The Power of Now, Tolle explores the concept of presence and being fully connected to the present moment, a state he considers essential for spiritual awakening. His integration of both biblical and Buddhist references reflects his broader view that many paths lead to the same truth—stillness and awareness. Through this quote, Tolle emphasizes that, while religious teachings can be helpful, the ultimate goal is a direct, unmediated experience of the divine or spiritual truth.