I've read Eckhart extensively and listened to many of his talks too. Naturally, not every teacher will resonate with every student; but as for me I have understood him to say on several occasions that ALL emotions are quite necessary (including negative ones). All emotions are a part of the "human" experience. He encourages us all to be aware of our emotions and to "give them space". . . . in other words, to just let them be. Regardless of whether they are positive or negative - which, ps - even the concept of "positive" or "negative" is only a construct of your thoughts :) Like you mention - to experience life fully, including it's ups and downs. His suggestions on how to end suffering will most likely not resonate with someone like yourself who fully embraces all aspects of life. I feel like his words are directed at people who are stuck very firmly inside of their egoic minds and suffer deeply....people who experience long lasting depression, anxiety, or any other conditions which keep them from functioning well within the frame work of this world. The ideas of "acceptance" or "letting go" are tools to help people become better able to care for themselves, to relate to others, and to also experience joy and peace when they haven't ever felt those emotions (or perhaps havent felt them in a very long time). This is the Awakening. As to the comments and responses that indicate they feel Eckhart is just "parroting" "echoing" or "stealing" from others before him . . . . well in the introduction to Stillness Speaks, he - in his own words - says: the form of the book is nothing more than a revival of the oldest recorded spiritual teachings - Sutras; Vedas; Upanishads; and even the words of Jesus (outside the narrative of the modern Bible) and also the Tao Te Ching. . . . so to summarize, I have never seen him try to represent himself as something new, different, or better. I have only seen him admit that he nothing more than a "modern day" human being who has been transformed by the Consciousness within himself and by the concepts and teaching of the ancients; and that his only intention is to try to share that wisdom in ways that other modern day humans can understand. To act as a signpost to help guide us all toward that which is already within us. Our own divinity. I really enjoyed reading your post and considering your unique opinion, thank you for sharing. I wish you, and everyone on this thread, Namaste.