One Last Secret...

After two and a half years and a hundred and forty posts, it looks like the time has come to put this blog to bed, at least for a while. I think it has built into a valuable source of spirituality-related information, so I very much intend to keep it up here on the net. If you've just discovered it and would like to find out more about what the site has to offer, then this page is a good place to start. And do feel free to email me or leave me a comment. I'll still be hovering about, and still very much involved in spiritual development - especially my own...

Which is why I'm taking a break really. I hope that The Secret Of Life has helped other people, but one thing I know is that it has certainly helped me. When I started it in October 2006, my experience of all this spiritual stuff was pretty much theoretical, but now it has very much become real, an integral part of my everyday experience. Writing here on a regular basis has kept these ideas to the front of my mind and has helped me to make that important transition.

But Eckhart Tolle has remarked that he gauges a person's spiritual development by the extent to which they have stopped thinking, and that's been the problem the last few months. I need to stop thinking so much, to get out of my mind and into my body - and running a blog like this tends to keep my mind buzzing away. Which is all very well in its way, just not what I need right now.

There used to be things I needed to discover - and this blog has been a useful gateway into that adventure. But now I think I know what I need to know, at least for the time being. Right now, I don't need more knowledge. I don't need more techniques. I just need to put what I already know into action.

Because that is the one last 'secret' I'd like the share here. You already know it, I suspect, but it won't hurt to remind you...

The point is that you can read all the books you like, watch all the DVDs you like, attend all the courses and workshops you like, but unless you use the techniques you've learned and carry the peace you may have experienced with you into your everyday life, you're not going to experience spiritual transformation. You might know more, but your life's going to stay pretty much the same as it always has been. So the time may have come to stop reading and live it instead.

Alternatively, you may not be at the stage right now of feeling that you have all the knowledge you need. There may still be things that you need to find out. If so then you've come to a pretty good place. This blog contains everything that I needed to know - or, at any rate, links to where to find it - and it may be the same for you. But all our journeys are different, so you may also have to look elsewhere. In which case, a good place to start are the sites of my fellow spirituality and self-development bloggers. There are links to some of my favorites here, but there are many more of them out there. I hope you enjoy your voyage of discovery...

If you have been a regular reader of this site, or have left comments here, or are one of the bloggers I've been lucky enough to come to know (or, indeed, if you are all three!) then thank you so much for your interest and support. It has been very important to me and has been appreciated more than you probably realize. I feel kind of sorry to be leaving you like this, but I don't really feel that I have a choice. It's just that the time has come to be doing something different.

Like I say, I may well return - either to this blog or to the internet in some other form. It occurs to me that when the time is right, I may write an eBook, for instance: perhaps the essence of The Secret Of Life in a compact form, perhaps including some of the other posts I had in mind but never quite got round to writing. Whatever I do, I will post about it here, so please consider maintaining - or taking out - a subscription to my email list. See the button in the sidebar. It's the best way for you to keep in touch with any future developments.

Before I go, I'd like to mention that my friend Sally Chaffer (who you may recognize from the comments she's left here at The Secret Of Life) now has some excerpts from her workshops available on a CD. If you can't get to one of Sally's workshops here in Yorkshire, UK in person (like there might be the odd few thousands of miles in the way) then her 'Keep The Peace' CD will give you a taste of her teaching. I was talking about the importance of carrying peace with us as we go about our day - and that is what Sally is all about.

Or if you prefer to stay here at The Secret Of Life for a while, here are a few of my favorite posts to take a look at:

My New Year Strategies For Spiritual Development, Equanimity and Walking The Walk are recent posts which will give you some idea of the kinds of techniques I'm currently putting into practice.

Feeling What Is, How Does It Feel To Win A Million?, Ripples On a Sea Of Peace, The Ultimate Truth Series, Earth Doomed (see page 53), A Sun-filled Room and Letting Go are choice blasts from the past.

Right then. That's about it. I feel that a resonant final paragraph would go very nicely here, but the truth is that if I could write one right now, I wouldn't be retiring the blog. So all I will say is: that's it for now! Namaste. Love and peace to you all...

Comments

[Davina]

Hi Simon. You are a smart and honest man! You remarked that Eckhart Tolle gauges a person's spiritual development by the extent to which they have stopped thinking.

I completely understand this in relation to blogging. I've been having a bit of a struggle with this lately. My blogging habits have slowed down and writing is more difficult. I believe it is exactly due to what you have noticed... too much thinking.

Congratulations on making a choice and for knowing and accepting your own truth. You are brilliant -- no Secret about that :-)

I'm anticipating that ebook you have mentioned. I will remain subscribed and look forward to any tidbits you feel inspired to post. Cheers Simon :-)

[Robin]

Well I reckon that was a pretty resonant final paragraph, Simon!

Best of luck with your adventures! I know what it's like to reach an integrating phase where you don't want to keep exploring, but just want to live it. And I also know what you mean by blogging keeping the mind buzzing!

Thank you for your support, Simon - you were the first person to put a link to my blog in your sidebar, when I was a newbie - it meant a lot to me.

Cheers, and all the best with everything - and till we hear from you again (heh) - Robin x

[Kim Wencl]

Blessings to you Simon as you continue on this next step in your journey. When you begin to practice what you have learned - that is truly when the fun begins! Speaking from personal experience over the past 5+ years, it is very important to document all of the amazing things that will happen ... if you don't you won't remember them (even though you think you will) and you may even question their authenticity after a time. You will be genuinely surprised at how wonderfully intricate and amazing life will be once when you begin to practice all that you have read and studied.

Best wishes on your journey!
Kim Wencl
kimwencl.com

[Chase March]

I have quite enjoyed your blog and am sad to see that you are packing it in but I understand.

I wish you all the best.

Thanks for sharing your posts and comments to blog entries over the years. It's been great!

[cardiogirl]

I will not say goodbye, just so long. I'm sure we'll run into one another somewhere again. And this has been a great resource for me and I'm sure for others.

I've always appreciated your low key approach to a sticky topic. And I have to say I think that you may have provided the answer to almost every scenario out there:

...unless you use the techniques you've learned and carry the peace you may have experienced with you into your everyday life, you're not going to experience spiritual transformation.

You might know more, but your life's going to stay pretty much the same as it always has been.

Thanks for the provocative, thoughtful posts.

[Marion]

Well said, Simon. But I am very sorry to see you go and will look forward to that e-book you mentioned. I will continue to keep your blog on my list; there are many posts here I would like to re-read and the list is the easiest way to get here.

You've done an amazing job over the years. I only wish I could be as succinct and provocative as you are. I don't believe you are done writing...it is in your blood, lol!

And I totally understand wanting to practice your spirituality...there are many days I feel exactly the same. I crave quiet on those days.

Until we meet again...

[Elizabeth Carbery]

I understand exactly where you are coming from.

To quote William Shakespeare 'There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.'

I have always appreciated your blogg and your honesty and your sense of humour. I will no doubt refer again and again to the many aspects you have raised over the years.

Thank you and all the best

Bet Carbery

[AngelBaby]

You're leaving me?? Oh no, I need to talk to you now and then. I am going to miss you allot. I hope you come back and let me know when you do. You can still come by my site and let me know how you are doing. This is so sad.

Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby

[Miruh]

Hello Simon,

Thanks for all that you share with a beautiful honesty and enthusiasm in your exploration of the secret of life. You have inspired me and I look forward to the e-book.

Sending you my heartfelt wish for your finding Truth, Light and Joy on your ever-deepening journey. :D

[Simon]

Many thanks for your kind words, everyone. It's great that so many of you have found this blog useful and enjoyable. Thanks too to those who have sent me emails. Kim - I read with interest what you say about writing things down, though I have honestly never felt less like writing than I do at the moment. Even writing this brief paragraph is a bit like wading through treacle! I'm not quite sure what is happening but I'm going with the flow...

Yes, perhaps that flow will eventually bring me back here again. Whatever happens, I'm sure we shall all meet again on some level or other.

Bye for now, and may each of you find joy on your own journey,
love and peace - Simon

[Malcolm R. Campbell]

I hope you enjoy your break as much as I have enjoyed reading your blog.

Malcolm

[Simon]

Many thanks Malcolm. I'm glad you've enjoyed my blog! I wish you all the best with your own various projects. I suspect we shall speak again...

[Evita]

Simon, you have a wonderful blog indeed, full of great material!

I wish you all the best on your "sabbatical" if I may call it that, and hope that your evolution continues in all the ways that your soul takes you in!

Quieting the mind is indeed not an easy task, but one that brings great peace and joy!

[Simon]

I'm glad you dropped by, Evita - thanks for your lovely comment! My 'sabbatical' feels more like a holiday at the moment. I'm currently catching up on old episodes of 'Dr Who', which are not without their spiritual/philosophical content...

[Joann]

Being that I'm brand new to blogging, I am thankful to have stumbled upon your site. What a great way to build awareness and awaken consciousness.

I've just added you on my blogroll--actually you are my first. Keep up the great work.

I've just started writing about insights in spirituality, metaphysics, esoteric science and healing at the Quantum level and using an internal energy.

[Simon]

It's great to hear from you too, Joann. Good luck with your new blog! (Sorry you had trouble posting...)

[vinni]

I am not sure why you are doing this, but i am sure you have something up your sleeve! will miss you!
thanks for the wonderful posts, and all the best!

[Simon]

Many thanks for your good wishes, Vinni! I hope all is well with you. Yes, I'm sure I have something up my sleeve. I just haven't found it yet...