--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The outer purpose belongs to the…" description: "\"The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of space and time; the inner purpose concerns a deepening of your Being in the vertical dimension..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg" --- # The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of… ![“The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of space and time; the inner purpose concerns a deepening of your Being in the vertical dimension of the timeless Now.” quote by Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg) > “The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of space and time; the inner purpose concerns a deepening of your Being in the vertical dimension of the timeless Now.” [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts external goals tied to physical reality with inner growth focused on spiritual presence. **In simple terms:** External goals vs. inner growth. Key Takeaway Balance outer actions with inner awareness. Themes spirituality purpose mindfulness Mood contemplative inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - meditation - creative projects - relationship building Key Concepts existentialism self‑realization Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize inner growth versus external achievement? - What practices help you stay present in the timeless Now? A Different Perspective Inner development can be neglected when chasing external success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern/) [Dimension Timeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimension-timeless-3236800/) [Dimensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimensions/) [Horizontal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horizontal/) [Inner Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-purpose-565699/) [Outer Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outer-purpose-565697/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Belongs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-belongs-3236799/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Space and time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-and-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time and space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-and-space/) [Time Inner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-inner-3236801/) [Timeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/timeless/) [Vertical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vertical/) ## Related quotes > [“Does it matter whether we achieve our outer purpose, whether we succeed or fail in the world? It will matter to you as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/does-it-matter-whether-we-achieve-our-outer-purpose-whether-we/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Does it matter whether we achieve our outer purpose, whether we succeed or fail in the world? It will matter to you as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/does-it-matter-whether-we-achieve-our-outer-purpose-whether-we-2/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Even if you achieve your outer purpose, it will never satisfy you if you haven't found your inner purpose, which is awakening, being present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/even-if-you-achieve-your-outer-purpose-it-will-never-satisfy-you-if/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [You may remember the paradox of time we mentioned earlier: Whatever you do takes time, and yet it is always now. So while your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-may-remember-the-paradox-of-time-we-mentioned-earlier-whatever/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Your inner purpose is an essential part of the purpose of the whole, the universe and its emerging intelligence. Your outer purpose can change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/your-inner-purpose-is-an-essential-part-of-the-purpose-of-the-whole/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. Everybody's gonna die. Come watch TV”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morty/nobody-exists-on-purpose-nobody-belongs-anywhere-everybody-s-gonna/) [Morty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morty/) > [Many people who are going through the early stages of the awakening process are no longer certain what their outer purpose is. What drives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/many-people-who-are-going-through-the-early-stages-of-the-awakening/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Whenever you become anxious or stressed, outer purpose has taken over, and you lost sight of your inner purpose. You have forgotten that your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/whenever-you-become-anxious-or-stressed-outer-purpose-has-taken-over/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [It is precisely through the onset of old age, through loss or personal tragedy, that the spiritual dimension would traditionally come into people's lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/it-is-precisely-through-the-onset-of-old-age-through-loss-or-personal/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Your inner purpose is to awaken. It is as simple as that. You share that purpose with every other person on the planet -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/your-inner-purpose-is-to-awaken-it-is-as-simple-as-that-you-share/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Time is the horizontal dimension of life, the surface layer of reality. Then there is the vertical dimension of depth, accessible only through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/time-is-the-horizontal-dimension-of-life-the-surface-layer-of-reality/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [You are the light. Your inner purpose is to connect with that light. Everything else will follow in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/you-are-the-light-your-inner-purpose-is-to-connect-with-that-light/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [Happiness is living by inner purpose, not by outer pressures. Happiness is having a sense of meaning, not a feeling of futility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-augsburger/happiness-is-living-by-inner-purpose-not-by-outer-pressures-happiness/) [David W Augsburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-augsburger/) > [Happiness is living by inner purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-augsburger/happiness-is-living-by-inner-purpose/) [David W Augsburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-augsburger/) > [Challenges arise to make us aware of our inner purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/challenges-arise-to-make-us-aware-of-our-inner-purpose/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) ## More by Eckhart Tolle > [“The voice in the head that never stops speaking becomes a civilization that is obsessed with form and therefore knows nothing of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-voice-in-the-head-that-never-stops-speaking-becomes-a/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Thinking, or more precisely identification with thinking, gives rise to and maintains the ego, which, in our Western society in particular, is out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/thinking-or-more-precisely-identification-with-thinking-gives-rise-to/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“A powerful spiritual practice is consciously to allow the diminishment of ego when it happens without attempting to restore it. I recommend that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/a-powerful-spiritual-practice-is-consciously-to-allow-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [To become aware of the subtlety of nature you need to be alert. The moment you become alert you become still... thinking subsides. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/to-become-aware-of-the-subtlety-of-nature-you-need-to-be-alert-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-not-honoring-the-present-moment-by-allowing-it-to-be-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [On a deeper level you are already complete. When you realize that, there is a joyous energy behind what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/on-a-deeper-level-you-are-already-complete-when-you-realize-that/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/life-will-give-you-whatever-experience-is-most-helpful-for-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [You may not yet be able to bring your unconscious mind activity into awareness as thoughts, but it will always be reflected in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-may-not-yet-be-able-to-bring-your-unconscious-mind-activity-into/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“War is a mind-set, and all action that comes out of such a mind-set will either strengthen the enemy, the perceived evil, or, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/war-is-a-mind-set-and-all-action-that-comes-out-of-such-a-mind-set/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Whenever you step out of the noise of thinking, that is meditation, and a different state of consciousness arises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/whenever-you-step-out-of-the-noise-of-thinking-that-is-meditation-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Get the inside right, and the outside will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/get-the-inside-right-and-the-outside-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [It is very hard to tell when I started to be a spiritual teacher. There was a time when occasionally somebody would come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/it-is-very-hard-to-tell-when-i-started-to-be-a-spiritual-teacher/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Most people spend their entire life imprisoned within the confines of their own thoughts. They never go beyond a narrow, mind-made, personalized sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/most-people-spend-their-entire-life-imprisoned-within-the-confines-of/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Let the end of the world be inside you, then you don't need to fear the end of the world out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/let-the-end-of-the-world-be-inside-you-then-you-don-t-need-to-fear/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Jeste li zabrinuti? Razmišljate li često: »Što bi bilo da sam...?« To znači da ste se poistovjetili s umom, koji se projicira u neku…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/jeste-li-zabrinuti-razmi-ljate-li-esto-to-bi-bilo-da-sam-to-zna-i-da/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) [Explore all 1,493 Eckhart Tolle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## More Concern quotes > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [It is not my intention to explain Turkey, its culture and its problems. My literature has a universal concern: I want to bring people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/it-is-not-my-intention-to-explain-turkey-its-culture-and-its-problems/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I'm a vegetarian - I think there's a strong possibility, had I not become a vegetarian, I would not be working now. I became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barker/i-m-a-vegetarian-i-think-there-s-a-strong-possibility-had-i-not/) [Bob Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barker/) > [What really concerns me is for Christians to understand the fundamentals of evangelism in a way that is helpful in the contemporary scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/what-really-concerns-me-is-for-christians-to-understand-the/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I'm not interested in making a diagnostic novel or a concern. I'm 100 percent committed in fiction to the pleasure principle - that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/i-m-not-interested-in-making-a-diagnostic-novel-or-a-concern-i-m-100/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [It concerns me when people frame the conversation about equal pay about the entertainment business. I don't want the wage gap issue to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/it-concerns-me-when-people-frame-the-conversation-about-equal-pay/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The Patriot Act is certainly a concern; all of those things are dangerous. I think more important than me preaching is that we as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-patriot-act-is-certainly-a-concern-all-of-those-things-are/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [ I just have to deal with it \[injuries\] if and when problems happen. It's obviously a concern and I've been very careful with my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-james/i-just-have-to-deal-with-it-injuries-if-and-when-problems-happen-it-s/) [Greg James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-james/) > [Much has been said and continues to be said of what little concern the Turks had for the Acropolis treasures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-mercouri/much-has-been-said-and-continues-to-be-said-of-what-little-concern/) [Melina Mercouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-mercouri/) [Browse all 3,297 Concern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of space and time; the inner purpose concerns a deepening of your Being in the vertical dimension of the timeless Now.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eckhart Tolle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizontal-dimension-of-space-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Concern" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizontal-dimension-of-space-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/eckhart-tolle-81_concern_the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizon_2770187.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The outer purpose belongs to the horizontal dimension of space and time; the inner purpose concerns a…” — Eckhart Tolle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eckhart Tolle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The outer purpose belongs to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizontal-dimension-of-space-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-outer-purpose-belongs-to-the-horizontal-dimension-of-space-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```