Neill - The space [within]: finding your way back home

Praise for The Space Within:

With rare depth, Michael Neill offers brilliant insights into the mind-boggling upside of being human.

MIKE DOOLEY, NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF INFINITE POSSIBILITIES AND LEVERAGING THE UNIVERSE

The Space Within imparts wisdom with warmth and an understanding of what it means to be human in all its shades. A truly enlightening book that will leave you uplifted and comforted in the knowledge that peace does indeed come from within, once we know where to look!

ANDY FOWLER, EMMY AWARD-WINNING VISUAL-EFFECTS PRODUCER/PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE ON THE REVENANT, NOAH, AND 300

At my best as a writer/director, Im reaching into a space where time stands still and creative ideas flow through like a river. In The Space Within, Michael Neill offers easy access to this space where creativity comes from, demystifying it without taking away any of its magic.

SACHA GERVASI, EMMY AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR OF ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL AND WRITER OF THE TERMINAL

This is an absolutely brilliant book about one of the most important subjects of all: the nothing at the heart of everything. Its the first book I know of that explores in practical, useful detail the space within the vast context of pure consciousness in which our experience occurs. Reading the book is an evolutionary journey in itself, and I urge you to take up that adventure at your earliest opportunity.

GAY HENDRICKS, PH.D., AUTHOR (WITH KATHLYN HENDRICKS, PH.D.) OF CONSCIOUS LOVING EVER AFTER

The Space Within is an invitation to live an impossibly wonderful life. It will help you to move beyond your theories and beliefs about how much happiness is possible and how much is too good to be true. It will help you to return to love, and to come home to your own innate wisdom.

ROBERT HOLDEN, PH.D., BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF SHIFT HAPPENS! AND LIFE LOVES YOU (WITH LOUISE HAY)

Michael Neill has done it again, sharing the secrets of the universe with eloquence and unbridled simplicity. Get it. Read it. Reach for it whenever you need a reminder

SHAMA HYDER, AUTHOR OF MOMENTUM AND CEO OF ZEN MARKETING

This is a brilliant book on how to access the space of meditation without meditating. Read, enjoy, and unleash your deepest potential!

PAUL MCKENNA, PH.D., INTERNATIONAL BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE THREE THINGS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR DESTINY TODAY!

In this amazing book, Michael Neill lovingly guides us home to the space within. With humor, grace, and simplicity, he invites us to wake up and remember that who we are is infinite.

ANITA MOORJANI, NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF DYING TO BE ME

The Space Within contains everything you need to know to be resilient in life broken down in a way that makes it both simple and profound.

GEORGE PRANSKY, PH.D., AUTHOR OF THE RELATIONSHIP HANDBOOK

Michael has a wonderful way of describing both our spiritual nature and our human nature. He leads the reader to consider both worlds, offering us the opportunity to see the two are One.

ELSIE SPITTLE, FOUNDER OF 3PHD AND AUTHOR OF NUGGETS OF WISDOM AND BEYOND IMAGINATION

As I finished the last page of this powerful book, I wiped tears of gratitude from my cheeks. Not often am I reminded of the true beauty underlining the human condition beneath the ups and downs and everything in between. Michael Neill points us away from the relentless desire for 24/7 happiness toward the infinite potential life has on offer, not only opening the door but offering up a pillow and a blanket to welcome us home to our deepest self.

BROOKE WHEELDON-REECE, CEO OF THE CYPRESS INITIATIVE AND CREATOR OF THE S.P.A.R.K. TEEN MENTORING CURRICULUM: SPEAKING TO THE PROMISE, ABILITY, AND RESILIENCE INSIDE KIDS

First published and distributed in the United Kingdom by:

Hay House UK Ltd, Astley House, 33 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ

Tel: +44 (0)20 3675 2450; Fax: +44 (0)20 3675 2451; www.hayhouse.co.uk

Published and distributed in the United States of America by:

Hay House Inc., PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100

Tel: (1) 760 431 7695 or (800) 654 5126

Fax: (1) 760 431 6948 or (800) 650 5115; www.hayhouse.com

Published and distributed in Australia by:

Hay House Australia Ltd, 18/36 Ralph St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Tel: (61) 2 9669 4299; Fax: (61) 2 9669 4144; www.hayhouse.com.au

Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by:

Hay House SA (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 990, Witkoppen 2068

info@hayhouse.co.za; www.hayhouse.co.za

Published and distributed in India by:

Hay House Publishers India, Muskaan Complex, Plot No.3, B-2, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070

Tel: (91) 11 4176 1620; Fax: (91) 11 4176 1630; www.hayhouse.co.in

Distributed in Canada by:

Raincoast Books, 2440 Viking Way, Richmond, B.C. V6V 1N2

Tel: (1) 604 448 7100; Fax: (1) 604 270 7161; www.raincoast.com

Text Michael Neill, 2016

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

The information given in this book should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a medical practitioner. Any use of information in this book is at the readers discretion and risk. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss, claim or damage arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made, the failure to take medical advice or for any material on third party websites.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-78180-648-7 in print
ISBN 978-1-78180-695-1 in ePub format
ISBN 978-1-78180-759-0 in Kindle format

Interior images: pp.1519, 41, 9798, 118, 120, 126 David Beeler; p.37 My wife and my mother-in-law, created by W. E. Hill, 1915; pp.5556, 58 Michael Neill

To Syd Banks and all those who point the way back home

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

T.S. ELIOT, FOUR QUARTETS

The original plan was for four of us to go out to dinner in Kensington, London. However, two friends cancelled at the last minute. Now it was just Michael Neill and me. We barely knew each other. I remember thinking to myself, Im sure this will be great, but Id like to get home by 9:30 p.m. I dont remember the name of the restaurant. I forget what we ate. The wine was very good, but I cant recall its name. What I do remember is that the conversation was exhilarating, that we left the restaurant at closing time, and that Michael had to pay because it turned out I had forgotten my wallet.

As I sat in the back of the old black cab that was taking me home through Notting Hill to Chiswick, I remember feeling very happy and grateful that Id met Michael. I felt Id made a real friend. Suddenly, a thought popped into my mind. It wasnt one of my thoughts. I didnt deliberately think it. It was one of those thoughts that come from nowhere. It was: