Shimei and Simon: From Reactive Ego to Creative Awareness

In both the Old and New Testaments, the figures of Shimei and Simon hold significant spiritual meaning. While these characters seem quite different in their stories, they share a deeper connection when interpreted through the lens of Neville Goddard’s teachings on imagination and consciousness. At the core of their narratives is the theme of listening — and the transformation from a reactive, ego-driven state to one of creative awareness and power.

Shimei: "The Lord Heard"

Shimei appears in the Old Testament as a man who curses King David, throwing stones at him as he flees from Absalom’s rebellion. His name, Shimei, comes from the Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama), meaning "to hear" or "to listen." This signifies not only literal hearing but also a deeper awareness — the ability to be receptive to inner guidance or divine imagination.

In the story, Shimei's actions are impulsive and reactive, representing the egoic mind that reacts to external circumstances based on past grievances and judgments. However, his eventual plea for forgiveness and David’s mercy show the potential for transformation — moving from a place of reactivity to one of humility and self-awareness.

Simon: "He Who Hears"

Similarly, in the New Testament, Simon (who would later become Peter) also carries the name rooted in shama. Simon’s journey, like Shimei’s, begins with a state of receptivity — he listens but is not yet fully aware of his own creative power. As Neville Goddard often taught, this phase represents a person still attached to external influences, unaware that true creation comes from within.

When Simon is renamed Peter ("rock"), it marks a shift in consciousness — a move from listening and learning to recognising the creative power of imagination. Peter represents the solid foundation of one who is awakened to their divine ability to shape reality.

The Transformation: From Reactive Ego to Creative Power

Both Shimei and Simon represent the reactive ego — the part of us that projects blame, judgment, and past experiences onto the present. Shimei’s curse of David and Simon’s early actions both reflect the unconscious mind at work, shaped by external circumstances rather than internal creative power.

However, both figures undergo a spiritual transformation. Shimei seeks forgiveness, which marks a shift from reactivity to awareness and a recognition of his own potential for change. Similarly, Simon’s transformation into Peter symbolises the move from uncertainty to the realisation of one’s own creative strength — the foundation of all creation through imagination.

Listening and Responding: The Key to Transformation

The names of both Shimei and Simon highlight the importance of listening. For Neville Goddard, this is not just about hearing external voices, but about tuning into the inner voice of imagination — the divine power within. To truly transform, one must not only listen but respond with conscious awareness.

Shimei’s journey from cursing to seeking mercy reflects the potential for change when we shift our consciousness. Similarly, Simon’s path to becoming Peter teaches that spiritual growth involves moving from mere receptivity to creative mastery of our reality.

Conclusion: From Ego to Creative Awareness

In both the stories of Shimei and Simon, we see the process of awakening to divine potential. Shimei represents the reactive ego, trapped in past grievances, while Simon shows us the early stages of spiritual growth — open but not yet fully aware of his creative power.

Their transformations illustrate the path from reactive consciousness to creative awareness — the realisation that we are not victims of external events but the creators of our reality through imagination. Through listening to the inner voice, and responding with awareness, both Shimei and Simon show us that true spiritual growth is about shifting from ego to empowerment.

By recognising this inner power, we can move from reactivity to creation, building our lives on the solid foundation of imagination, just as Simon became Peter, the rock.