Out of the Darkness

The science of post-traumatic growth.

Steve Taylor Ph.D.

The Transformational Effects of Bereavement

Loss and grief can lead to spiritual growth and other positive changes.

When Post-Traumatic Growth is Voluntary

Why do we like safety and yet feel drawn to challenge and danger? Because we have an impulse to grow and challenges help us to grow. This is 'voluntary post-traumatic growth.'

Spiritual Conspiracists

Why are some 'spiritual' people propagating unfounded conspiracy theories, and voicing their support for authoritarian leaders?

The Psychology of Nationalism

Nationalism is an illusory concept caused by a need for identity. People with high well-being let go of group identity. For the good of our species, we should all do the same.

Post-Traumatic Creativity

The myth of the "suffering artist" has some basis in fact. Periods of intense suffering can lead to enhanced creativity.

Disordered Leaders

Psychopaths and narcissists live in a state of extreme separation. They feel a sense of lack that drives them to attain power. This leads to "pathocracy."

The Abdication Syndrome

The appeal of authoritarian leaders and corrupt gurus is a desire to return to childhood, when parents protected us and took responsibility for our lives.

When Time Slips Away

Time Expansion Experiences in accidents and emergencies are real, not an illusion caused by recollection

Spiritual Depression

Spiritual depression occurs when we lose touch with our spiritual sensibility, or repress spiritual experiences because we don't understand them.

David Ditchfield's Remarkable Near-Death Experience

David Ditchfield almost died in an accident on a train platform. He changed so dramatically that he feels as if he has a different life and a different identity.

the white house/flickr

Power and Personality Disorders

Are mental health professionals right to speak out about President Trump?

Do Psi Phenomena Exist? The Debate Continues

A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate whether science should take psi phenomena seriously and what they imply about consciousness.

Do Psi Phenomena Exist? A Debate (Part One)

Part 1 of 2: A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate the existence of psi and the view that consciousness is not purely dependent on the physical brain.

The Lockdown as a Spiritual Retreat

Five tips to harness the benefits of confinement into growth and transformation.

The Greatness of William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth and the Romantic movement represented the emergence of a new state of being.

The Benefits of Confinement

Despite all the suffering caused by the coronavirus, it presents an opportunity for growth and transformation.

An Epidemic of Antidepressants

It's time to give more attention to effective holistic therapies, which address the core issues giving rise to depression, without withdrawal symptoms.

When the Mind Heals the Body

The placebo effect suggests that the mind is more than just a shadow of the brain.

bonobos

Making Love Instead of War

As well as being a source of great pleasure, sex is a great source of social harmony.

Divided We Fall

Ultimately, the way that human beings will transcend the need for group identity, and the conflict which it creates, is by transcending our sense of ego-separateness.

We Are Each Other

There is a type of spiritual experience in which we feel deeply connected to each other, and realize that our normal sense of separateness is an illusion.

Scientism

Science is associated with the belief system of materialism—a worldview that in some ways is just as dogmatic as a religion. A recent debate on psi phenomena illustrates this.

Hypnotic Healing

The mind can have a massive influence over the body, in a way that suggests that it is more than just a byproduct of brain activity.

Pathocracy

People with personality disorders are drawn to power and are ruthless in their pursuit of it. How we can ensure that the majority don't suffer at their hands?

The Compassion Problem

Why do many religious people fail to live up to the teachings of their religions, or even act in ways that are contrary to the basic principles of their faiths?

Beyond Religion

Will human beings ever transcend the need for religions? Perhaps only by transcending the sense of 'ego-separateness.'

The Genius of William James

Countless psychologists have found that their ideas were uncannily anticipated by the first great American psychologist, who had an admirably open mind to alternative perspectives.

The Guru Syndrome

The best thing a spiritual teacher can do is to avoid guru worship. And the best thing a spiritual seeker can do is to avoid gurus.

Maslow at the Blackfoot Reservation in 1938

Original Influences

The American ideals of democracy, egalitarianism and individualism were shaped by Native Americans

Is There a Common Ground between Spiritual Traditions?

Spiritual or mystical experiences have the same essential qualities, across and outside spiritual traditions. It may be time to revisit the idea of "perennial philosophy."

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