tomtiller.de

Thomas Tiller – Facilitation, Coaching, Process led work, Contemplation, Books

My Personal Approach

I have been seeking for truth since I can remember.
I don't trust anything that anyone or any source says about absolute truth, unity, spirituality, and anything beyond being human — unless I can verify it through my own inner experience.
Being born into this time and into this place means to me having the gift and the freedom to draw upon everything that people before me have experienced through practice and dedication to various lineages and schools, without having to uncritically submit myself to a single school or teacher, or having to accept things unquestioned.
I distinguish between horizontal personal growth and vertical consciousness development, as well as the integration of both.
All of this only is possible if I take full responsibility for everything I encounter.
The intention: to align being human and being in transcendental experiencial states without disengaging from the world and its current state, and without giving up responsibility.

What I Offer

Holding space for those who are on a similar journey and temporarily need a space held by someone else.
Being a non-judging listening partner when things need to be witnessed.
I won't explain a deeper truth to you, but I am available as a sounding board and a critical questioner if you want to critically examine your experiences.
I can support you in reaching clarity when it becomes difficult or impossible to distinguish phenomena or experiences from different experiencial states on your own.
Only when asked, and when it seems helpful in a specific situation, I can offer structures (most of which are not my own) to support discernment.
I can support you in finding and developing your questions that give intention or direction for your further journey.

I do not offer a special path or practice to follow. Why would I? We live in an era in which, after millennia of preparatory work, it is possible to trust oneself and one's inner reference — a time in which we can simultaneously be teachers and students to one another. And: I give no promises of salvation. Enlightenment — regardless of its form — does not make life or being human "better" or "easier". It only makes it more complex and, at best, more lively. The decision to chose such a path must be made by each and every individual for themselves.

Examples of Formats I Offer:

Enlightenment Intensive retreats as developed by Charles and Ava Berner
Dyad based contemplation groups
Individual support and companionship for independent contemplative seekers on their individual journey
Integration groups and processes (work at the intersection of horizontal and vertical)

And now?

This individual way of seeking and of being in the world calls you? You have further questions? You are "stuck" on your individual path? you need "another" to communicate to, or an "external witness"? Please don't hesitate to get in touch, whatever it is. This is something we can talk about. And: the first consultation is free.

You are looking for more information on what contemplation is? Have a look in the questions and answers section.

Questions and Answers

So, what does Contemplation mean?
Contemplation in this context means: giving things — regardless of the state and level they appear at — the chance to show themselves directly and to be experienced directly; radically testing absolute and relative truths within, without the mind being in control; experiencing things directly instead of thinking 'about' them or analyzing them. All of this should always be accompanied by an inner instance that critically tests what is experienced without questioning it completely. Experience, intuition, and critical thinking are not contradictions. Quite the opposite. The integration of these abilities brings clarity and, at best, prevents delusion and conceit.

What exactly does it mean, to "experience something directly"?
It means that the experiencer and the experienced are one. So, it does not mean sensing, thinking, feeling, or otherwise perceiving something. Because then there would be someone who senses, thinks, feels, or perceives and something that is sensed, thought, felt, or perceived. Hence, these two are not one. All this sounds like something to you, that cannot be understood? Unfortunately, it can't. The mind cannot grasp or understand this state, nor is it an "achievement" of our mind.

Why should I want to contemplate?
People usually notice a "longing" to explore levels of reality other than the obvious one. And with contemplation it's like with everything else in life: your inner motivation and impulse should decide whether you do something or not. Going against this impulse turns everything you do into an unpleasant exercise. Why would you want to do this? Yet, should you notice a "longing", please follow it.

What is contemplation "good" for?
Contemplation is something that, among other things, leads to the "vertical". This means that you experience the world, yourself, and your essence on levels other than the obvious. Such so called "state experiences" change everything and, then again, nothing. Is there a "benefit" in it for you? Nobody except you can tell. You have to find that out for yourself.

Can everybody just start contemplating?
Well, yes. Why not? Yet, if you need a starting point, look for others and communities around you, that offer contemplation trainings or groups. Try them. Try different ones, to get an idea, what resonates with you and what doesn't. Don't believe anything that is sold as "the truth" or "the only path to truth". And don't even believe that. If you have a serious intention and you are open, the "right" way for you will find you.

Is there a "right" way to contemplate?
There are as many ways to contemplate as there are people being on this path. Whether you prefer being part of a community with a long tradition that can draw from thousands of years of experience or whether you chose an individual dogma free way (or anything "in between") is entirely up to you. Listen to your intuition and your "longing"!

Where did I learn the technique, I am offering?
The technique and retreat format I am practicing and offering is called the "Enlightenment Intensive" and came into the world through Charles and Ava Berner. It is the only technique that I know of which does not dictate any dogma or idea, and which sends every single individual on their own path of truth-seeking. You can find out more about this at enlightenment-intensive.net. I have been trained by Lawrence Noyes and Nanna Michael. I have assisted in retreats by different retreat leaders in the USA, England, and Germany. And I have been practicing this technique and format for around 15 years now, in the different roles of participating and assisting in Enlightenment Intensives and offering and leading them. But then again: It's only one technique and approach of a thousand of such approaches. Try it and then decide if it resonates with you or not.