Out of the Darkness

Near-Death Experiences

Is It Possible to Foresee Death?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Creativity

The Transcendent Creativity of The Beatles

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 2, 2023

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.

Psychopathy

Why Do Psychopaths Crave Power?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 25, 2023

Pyschopaths are drawn to power and wealth like moths to a flame because of their inner emptiness and incompleteness.

Pyschopaths are drawn to power and wealth like moths to a flame because of their inner emptiness and incompleteness.

Psychology

Selling Human Nature Short

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Let’s teach psychology students about the positive aspects of human nature, rather than highlighting the negative. Early flawed theories and studies have "sold human nature short."

Let’s teach psychology students about the positive aspects of human nature, rather than highlighting the negative. Early flawed theories and studies have "sold human nature short."

Parapsychology

Inexplicable Communications

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on August 13, 2023

Although many mediums may be frauds, there are some unusual cases that have never been explained. Recent scientific studies show some support for the idea of mediumship.

Although many mediums may be frauds, there are some unusual cases that have never been explained. Recent scientific studies show some support for the idea of mediumship.

Trauma

When Empathy Switches Off

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

Serial killers and fascist dictators share a pattern of early childhood abuse and neglect, which switches off their empathy. But why do some emerge from trauma unscathed?

Serial killers and fascist dictators share a pattern of early childhood abuse and neglect, which switches off their empathy. But why do some emerge from trauma unscathed?

Philosophy

You Can't Explain Human Experience in Purely Physical Terms

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Does the soul exist? Re-enchanting the world with an old idea.

Does the soul exist? Re-enchanting the world with an old idea.

Empathy

Why People Rush to Engage in Heroic Altruism

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

Emergencies often feature acts of heroic altruism. Why do people impulsively risk their lives for others? Because we are interconnected through empathy.

Emergencies often feature acts of heroic altruism. Why do people impulsively risk their lives for others? Because we are interconnected through empathy.

Hypnosis

Why Some People Hand Their Lives Over to Cults

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

Why do some followers blindly worship cult leaders, gurus, and political leaders? The "abdication syndrome" may be so powerful that it becomes an altered state of consciousness.

Why do some followers blindly worship cult leaders, gurus, and political leaders? The "abdication syndrome" may be so powerful that it becomes an altered state of consciousness.

Spirituality

Why Unexplainable Events Are Common as Loved Ones Die

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 8, 2023

Many unusual experiences are reported by people who witness the deaths of others, or who are connected to a dying person, including spiritual experiences, and "crisis apparitions."

Many unusual experiences are reported by people who witness the deaths of others, or who are connected to a dying person, including spiritual experiences, and "crisis apparitions."

Near-Death Experiences

Why Strange Things Sometimes Occur as Someone Is Dying

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 19, 2023

Unusual experiences often occur around the time of death, including terminal lucidity, near-death experiences and transformation through facing death.

Unusual experiences often occur around the time of death, including terminal lucidity, near-death experiences and transformation through facing death.

Cognitive Dissonance

Why Some Scientists Resist the Evidence for Psi

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 25, 2023

Personal Perspective: Some scientists and academics adopt a "physicalist" worldview.

Personal Perspective: Some scientists and academics adopt a "physicalist" worldview.

Altruism

A Transformation of Purpose: From Selfishness to Altruism

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 9, 2023

After traumatic life events, some people undergo a shift in purpose. The main purpose of their lives is no longer to accumulate success or possessions but to help others.

After traumatic life events, some people undergo a shift in purpose. The main purpose of their lives is no longer to accumulate success or possessions but to help others.

Attention

Looking at the World with New Eyes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

A Personal Perspective: When our surroundings are familiar, we barely pay attention to them. But sometimes there is a shift, and we gain access to a more intense reality.

A Personal Perspective: When our surroundings are familiar, we barely pay attention to them. But sometimes there is a shift, and we gain access to a more intense reality.

Parenting

The Path of the Parent

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 20, 2022

Parenthood is often tiring and taxing, but it can be a path of personal development, helping us  to develop traits like mindfulness and altruism.

Parenthood is often tiring and taxing, but it can be a path of personal development, helping us  to develop traits like mindfulness and altruism.

Cognition

The Happiness of Not Thinking

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Our culture overvalues thinking. Thought should be a tool that we can pick up when we need it and then set down again.

Our culture overvalues thinking. Thought should be a tool that we can pick up when we need it and then set down again.

Spirituality

Why Do Near-Death Experiences and Psychedelics Have a Transformational Effect?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 11, 2022

A new study has shown that both near-death experiences and psychedelics can have a life-changing effect. They both reveal a wider and more intense reality.

A new study has shown that both near-death experiences and psychedelics can have a life-changing effect. They both reveal a wider and more intense reality.

Addiction

The Strange Phenomenon of Addiction Release

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on August 8, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Released from cravings.

A Personal Perspective: Released from cravings.

Happiness

Why Getting Rid of Possessions Can Feel So Freeing

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on July 13, 2022

The materialist pursuit of happiness is like eating when you’re already full. You can eat as much as you like but it doesn’t really satisfy you.

The materialist pursuit of happiness is like eating when you’re already full. You can eat as much as you like but it doesn’t really satisfy you.

Parapsychology

Psi and Science

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 17, 2022

Why do some scientists refuse to consider evidence of psi phenomena—like telepathy and precognition—while around half of the general population reports such experiences?

Why do some scientists refuse to consider evidence of psi phenomena—like telepathy and precognition—while around half of the general population reports such experiences?