Inner Simplicity: 100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish Your Soul

by Elaine St. James

The author of Simplify Your Life offers a path to the simpler life of mind and spirit through meditation, solitude, making spirituality a regular part of the day, and getting in touch with your creativity.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Inspirational, Meditation

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Yousif Al Zeera · Rating 2 out of 5]

No rich content.

[Ami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I'd simplified my inner life by not reading (or even skimming) this book. I'm planning to simplify my life further by not reading any more of these simplicity books. For a while, at least.

[Amanda-Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this book. It contains very basic ways to live in the present moment and make the most of life.
I am a worrying kind of a girl, I can't recall a time when I didn't have this bad habit. This simple little book gave me some important tools to combat my worrying nature and confront the fears that provoke the worry.
For me it is a choice I have to make and this book really helped me to see that.

[Allen Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this almost 15 Years ago, but i still think often about the suggestions on how to slow down & smell the roses

[Katie]

I read this with my parents after dinner each night and we all had similar thoughts; some things worked well, but other things didn't. My thoughts are similar to my previous read (and I'm not doing an element breakdown because it's not really that kind of book). I really enjoyed certain aspects of this whereas others didn't really work for me. I found some chapters to be really helpful, and others weren't quite for me. Overall an interesting read and one I could see myself revisiting at some point.

[Elliott B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inner Simplicity: 100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish your Soul
JULY 14 2021
2.5 Stars

An appreciated reminder, but something I'd rather have found as a list on the internet instead of spending an hour reading (and, for me, it would have given about the same amount of info).

First and foremost: Someone could find this helpful. I don't doubt that. This is for someone. I recommend this to someone who doesn't have time to read a full self-help book, who just needs a reminder of some things that could improve their life routine in an attempt to find some peace or a suggestion of some simple things you could do to try and improve some aspect of your life. To everyone else, if you find this in a little free library (like I did) or something and have a free hour, it's not a bad idea to pick it up, as it certainly is more likely to help than hurt. But, I do think this is more of a skim-read book as opposed to something you should waste time on. I'm throwing my copy back out to the world after I finish this review.

If you know a little or a lot about self-help and health, I don't think this book is likely to be extremely helpful, for the reason alone that for such people (including myself) it may not be full of new info. Even so, I did think this book had a really approachable format, keeping every part short and sweet (info/topic in chapter title, short (and often somewhat anecdotal) explanation of info, repeat).

Regardless, I still felt this better functioned simply as a helpful list of reminders, and not much more. The info after the chapter title was fairly familiar to me and not much was new, and at times felt repetitive, and even not explained enough. That said, here are the recommendations/chapters I marked that I want to remember and found as helpful reminders of things I hope to get around to doing, hope to do more, or already do often and want to keep up with. Many, of which, I recommend to others!

2. Spend time each day in nature
3. Connect with the sun
6. Learn to enjoy the silence
9. Get in touch with your creativity
11. Slow down
14. Figure out what you don't want to do in your life
16. Take time to read
18. Sleep a lot
31. Expand your journal
39. Establish a routine
41. Review your day
50. Do things you fear
60. Realize the importance of self-discipline
83. Take time to think
89. Write like mad
96. Check your breathing
98. Explore meditation

Note, there are other helpful things I did not tab ("be patient" for instance, since I'm already an extremely patient person,) that I do recommend as well.

Until next time.

This is my opinion and never meant to completely discourage anyone from reading anything they think they may like reading. Good luck and happy reading!

[Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically true information. As a 1995 publication about eliminating distraction, the absence of any mention of Internet is noticeable, but that's all right because we don't need to be told that Internet falls into the category of distraction along with social commitments, TV and magazines, bad food and overwork. This is about solutions, not problems, and all the strategies for overcoming distraction still apply today. More bothersome than its slight datedness is the assumption of a financially secure, child-free lifestyle in which a person can spend all day thinking about how to maximally enjoy their life. Upon waking, one is supposed to retreat to one's sanctuary and begins with five-minute exercises each for meditation, laughing, crying, pillow-punching, journal-writing with the non-dominant hand. One plays subliminal affirmation cassette tapes nonstop, meets with a small support group for spiritual growth, and uses dry beans in a paper cup to track every positive and negative thought throughout the day (there's an app for that...). One pays attention to the type of news one consumes (pleasant or unpleasant), reads books (but not detective stories in bed because they might cause nightmares), cancels extraneous magazine subscriptions, and sells one's house and the artwork it contains if it's all too annoyingly expensive. One gets a calendar and a packet of gold star stickers to track progress in the elimination of bad habits, and one waits until the first of the month to begin the chart because it's aesthetically convenient to see the whole month of stickers on the same page. (Delaying self-improvement until the first of next month is OK, I suppose, if your bad habit is something like napping in front of the TV rather than something like drinking four beers and and yelling at your family.) The only reference to financial difficulty is the statement that many people bought too much stupid commercial stuff in the '80s and which sets them back in the '90s. It's not bad advice, but the topic is limited to affluenza without saying so directly, and not everyone will relate to that or have the time and resources to do anything about these problems even to whatever extent they recognize themselves to be affected. The book would also have been improved if it recognized the importance of "giving back" to others and if it explored how one can simplify one's commitments yet continue to make meaningful contributions (whether through traditional paid work, some kind of unpaid effort, or a social or familial connection), rather than just saying that we're too busy so we should do less.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply, what a gem of a book!

100 short but meaningful suggestions to simplify your life with the aim of squeezing more joy, fulfilment and love out of your life.

These dip in, dip out chapters are further split into several sections:

1/. Things you'll *want* to do
2/. Easy things to *think* about doing
3/. More difficult things to think about doing
4/. The hard stuff
5/. Some fun stuff

You can read it in any order you wish but I started at the beginning and worked my way through it only stopping to refer to the reading list or to google further information on a suggestion. I purposely didn't "rush" through as I wanted to savour the suggestions.

I gained a lot from this book and have a sneaking suspicion that it's the type of book that will bring something new to me every time I read it.

Most definitely a keeper!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this with me for 20 years now and there is some good ideas here. Like #14: "Figure out what you don't want in your life". I've a list of things I've given up, like television news shows, Facebook, and most importantly the volume/vibration of my perfectly functional flip phone. I check it maybe four times a day and sometimes never on a day here and there. I am the master of my phone, not the other way around. Anyway, still have a number of things to work on, of course, like chillin' out even more by the pool.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, short 'chapters' full of good ideas on how to let go of stuff, literally; how to say, 'no thanks,' and lots of other things that have helped me and continue to help me. I'd love it if we lived close enough to work to just ride our bikes; to have a huge garden, to toss out the TV (husband likes sports now and then), and I do turn off the ringer on the phone anytime I want to. :)

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I had previously tried to make changes to simplify, but I didn't seem to *feel* that life was calmer or simpler. This book showed me the changes I needed to make to change my inner world, not just my outer world. I return to this book whenever I need to slow down.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pithy advice in a non-threatening package.

[Shaoola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it
Read it over 10 years ago yet the lessons I learned from it still echo throughout the years

[Katie]

A low 4 but probably more of a 3.5

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great suggestions.

I wish that St. James would acknowledge resources from specific faith traditions that lead toward inner simplicity, I feel that she shies away from this in an effort to always include everyone's perspective. While she acknowledges that specific traditions contribute to inner simplicity and interior work, she seems to fear touching any one specifically. There are fantastic resources from specific traditions like Parker Palmer's "Let your Life Speak" from the Quaker tradition and "A Place For God" which lists spiritual retreat centers across the United States, most of which are in the Christian tradition.

However, I think that the book was intended to encourage readers to incorporate changes that make us more aware of our inner life, and I believe that she achieves that very well.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an illuminating book. It was a book I especially meaningful because I'm retired. I'm so used to "doing" for others and thinking of myself last. I'm beginning to contemplate how long I have left in my life (I'm 68 years old) to do all the things I still hope to do. There were 100 suggestions on ways to "regain peace and nourish your soul". Some I do, and have done in the past, but many were suggestions that I may try. One I could use some work on would be, "release your attachment to possessions" or "just say no". I need to"laugh a lot", and "stop judging others", and most importantly, "get rid of your anger".
It's easy to read because it is broken up numerically and in specific sections. I would highly recommend it to those who are willing to take some of the suggestions to heart.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tho 1st published in 1995, it has been thought provoking on several levels. I plan to still work on some of the suggestions, as it's been impractical right now during the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic/Shelter in Place orders to do some of the ideas, but journaling on each topic helped me to bring out what might be most useful to me to put into practice for a more simple and joyful life.

[Melissa Kudla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t even finish it. I read like half the book and it’s not useful. Such basic information and a huge information dump. If you were actually looking for help to simplify your life and enjoy your day to day, this would leave you with no good start and a massive list of things to consider and do and no good place to start.

[Annburnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a nice read. Makes you think about things and relax a little.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading some of this advice. Take what is useful.

[B. AGHA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice, easy to read, and filled with practical advice. You are certain to find many subjects that are of prime interest to you, and where you will gain tricks, knowledge and a better perspective.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess it was helpful. My mind tended to wander a lot. It seems like a pretty good primer on self-help though. The recommended reading lists at the end look beneficial.

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for a book that you can reflect on daily or to give us a gift. A lot of it is things that you hear repeatedly but that might just be because I read too much:)

[Sky SF · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I really enjoyed her other one. Not consulting a psychic, but the rest of the book was good.

[Dalton DiBell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I would attribute to saving me in my late teens/ very early 20s. Lots of great lessons on slowing down and doing things with intention through spiritual practice.

[ᴅᴜ̈şʟᴇʀiᴍi ʏᴀşıʏᴏʀᴜᴍ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fazlalık, stres, yetişmeye çalışma gibi kavramların arasında bir durup; yavaşlamaya ve huzura ihtiyacı olduğunu düşünenler için, bir tür rehber denilebilir.

Mesela beğendiğim ve düşündüren bir bölümden: “Evinize bir bakın ve evi boşaltmak için sadece otuz dakikanız olduğunu hayal edin. Alabilecekleriniz sadece araba bagajına sığabilecek olanlar. Ne alırdınız? Her şeye yeniden başlayacak olsaydınız, neyi farklı yapardınız?” diyor yazar.

Siz olsanız? Yani sahip olduğumuz bu kadar eşyaya gerçekten ihtiyacımız var mı? Yoksa onları satın alıp, kendimizi manevi yönden tatmin mi ediyoruz?

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to read this book again and again; I will use it as my contemplative book, for it can help me discipline myself to live with inner peace and joy.I will cherish every page and, at the same time, apply them to my personal life. But I wonder if I could make it to the 93 ways.93 ways because I found TAPPING INTO( as the author always puts the phrase bluntly )a few utterly ridiculous such as:

# 44 REDUCE YOUR NEED TO BE IN THE KNOW. I think it is still a matter of choice if one wants to be stressed out of keeping oneself posted with current news and events, for we have individual differences. Some people are born to be investigators, or sometimes people may get a thrill out of doing so.

# 59 LAUGH A LOT. Imagine that you fake laughing at yourself for 30 minutes. Uh-oh! I am afraid that I might wind up in delusional state.

# 61 FIND A BOX OF STARS. I tried experimenting this method when I was still in high school; however,doing so is just example of operant conditioning. It is not a "permanent solution".We can change the things by how we think of them. We should be more responsible for our decisions.

#84 CRY A LOT. We can cry since it is a normal defense mechanism. However, crying a lot for 30 minutes on your own is beyond the logic of psychology. We are just instilled in a “miseducated culture”.We should break our perception that "boys don't cry".

# 85 CONSULT A PSYCHIC. I am sorry but I find this tip laughable.

On the other hand, there are some tips I REALLY have to TAP INTO such as:

#18 SLEEP A LOT. I am a night owl. I love staying up late because of studying my butt off as well as reading my favorite books.

# 40 BREAK YOUR ROUTINE ONCE IN A WHILE. Old die habits die hard.

To achieve the said inner peace of mind and soul, I need , at the very least, rigorous SELF-DISCIPLINE.

[Maryah Mohammed · Rating 4 out of 5]

ببساطه، السلام الداخلي .. سعادة ما بعدها سعادة
أن تجد نفسك
أن تعرفها
وتعرف إلى أين المسير
تعرف متى وكيف وأين أنت ؟!
سلام

إذا وصلت لنفسك فلا تفرط فيها
فإيجاد نفسك ( لك ) مكسب

لا تسمح لأحد للعبث في داخلك
ولا تسمح للمشككين والعابثين زعزعة استقرارك الداخلي


لا أحد يستحق أن تفقد نفسك لأجله
لا عمل ولا موقف ولا شخص ولا حيآة

أنت أنت لنفسك
سلام
وأنت أنت لنفسك
طمأنينة
وأنت أنت لنفسك
حياة
وأنت أنت لنفسك
سعآدة
ما نقصده
دون أنانية، فأنت أنت لنفسك هنا
نمو / انجاز / سلام / وحياة سعيدة

كونوا سعداء بأنفسكم

[Robbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not reading this one voluntarily. My mother-in-law gave it to me to read. She has a bit of the eastern mystic lurking inside. While I don't ever plan on casting rune stones, eating in silence to thank the food, practicing dying or forming an inner growth expansion group, I did, however, find some very practical information. Unburding your life of the clutter in it and learning to say "no" are the two that stood out. We hold on to so much material "stuff" in our lives that it begins to take up too much of our time in organizing and storing it. Just get rid of it! As far a saying "no" goes, I learned that one (ironically enough) at church. Once you say yes to one thing, you are hounded to say yes to a thousand other things. And while I love to serve, I won't do it at the expense of my family and sanity. Just say "NO!"