Elaine St. James is known for her life-changing bestsellers, which evolved from her methods of controlling the chaos of a busy schedule. She compiled her practices and had them published in Simplify Your Life. The book is still quite popular today. St. James has produced several siblings to this work including the subject of this review titled Inner Simplicity: 100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish Your Soul.
Inner Simplicity lets readers examine their inner selvessort of like spring cleaning for the soul. The author says that the definition of inner simplicity will be different for everyone. For her, it means "tuning in to what is the best this world has to offer, such as the love of family and friends, the wonders of nature and the serenity and clarity that come from silence and quiet contemplation."
The 100 exercises of this book are quite short. Naturally, everybody won't be able to perform every lesson. The key is for readers to find what pertains to them and focus on those areas.
St. James appears to be a very spiritual woman. She's into meditation and the search for "cosmic consciousness." I, on the other hand, am not. I opt to skip these portions of the book and focus on what interests me.
I mention this point because I want readers to understand that there's something for everybody in this work. There are exercises that explore meditation and solitude. There are lessons that focus on feelings and getting in tune with joy, fear, sadness, laughter and anger. Some of the suggestions are offbeat (#85: Consult a Psychic), and some are damn near impossible (#7: Have a Family Meal in Silence). Some are so simple I wonder why I didn't think of them.
For example, St. James advises we be selective of current events. I quit watching the local television news thus "drastically cutting exposure to the psychic and emotional drain of what passes for news." I feel much better in the evening now. I should have done this a long time ago.
Inner Simplicity can be read two different ways and arguments can be made for either choice. Reading the book a few pages at a time allows the reader to ingest each lesson slowly and carefully. Charging through the book cover to cover may give the reader a spiritual shot in the arm. Because it takes time to maintain changed habits, it's probably best if the book is read at least two times for maximum effectiveness.
My earlier criticism of St. James's books don't apply here. While reading Simplify Your Life and Simplify Your Work Life, I got the sense that the author was a little out of touch with the average citizen. Many of her suggestions just weren't practical or financially possible. Fortunately, Inner Simplicity is safely grounded with the lessons that are entirely achievable (except for that silent family dinner one).
My recommendation is that your read Simplify Your Life first. Clean up the mess that is your physical life. De-clutter and get your finances in order. Drop the people and activities in your life that suck you dry. Once you have a handle on everything, pick up a copy of Inner Simplicity. Spring cleaning your inner being will make life more enjoyable and fulfilling. St. James presents many helpful, easy exercises to allow you to expand your horizons and see all the beauty the world has to offer. Enjoy this book and you'll enjoy life.
