Out of the Darkness

Near-Death Experiences

At the Border of Life and Death

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.

Resilience

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.

Attention

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.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

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.

Positive Psychology

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?

Attention

Contact With Nature as Therapy

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 4, 2022

Contact with nature has a powerful therapeutic effect. Ecotherapy is increasing in use, as a free and accessible alternative to medication and talking therapies.

Contact with nature has a powerful therapeutic effect. Ecotherapy is increasing in use, as a free and accessible alternative to medication and talking therapies.

Parapsychology

Encounters at the Time of Death

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 29, 2022

Many people report encounters with friends or relatives around the time of their death. How can such "crisis apparitions" be understood?

Many people report encounters with friends or relatives around the time of their death. How can such "crisis apparitions" be understood?

Trauma

What's Behind the Great Resignation

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 6, 2022

The Great Resignation could be a sign that the pandemic has led to significant post-traumatic growth.

The Great Resignation could be a sign that the pandemic has led to significant post-traumatic growth.

Narcissism

The Danger of Dark Triad Leaders

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

Dark Triad personalities are drawn to power and they can cause chaos and destruction when they attain it.

Dark Triad personalities are drawn to power and they can cause chaos and destruction when they attain it.

Post-Traumatic Growth

The Rare but Powerful Experience of Freedom in Prison

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 18, 2022

Prison is a distressing or traumatic experience for most people. But for a small number, it can have positive transformational effects.

Prison is a distressing or traumatic experience for most people. But for a small number, it can have positive transformational effects.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Can There Be Communication After Death?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 5, 2022

Some bereaved people report sensing the presence of a deceased loved one.

Some bereaved people report sensing the presence of a deceased loved one.

Personality

Evaluating the Evidence for Reincarnation

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 20, 2021

Is it possible that deceased people can somehow be reborn in a different body? Can children can genuinely recall details of a past life?

Is it possible that deceased people can somehow be reborn in a different body? Can children can genuinely recall details of a past life?

Resilience

Breaking Down and Waking Up

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 26, 2021

Transformation through turmoil also reveals the massive potential and deep resilience that we are usually unaware of until we face challenges and crises.

Transformation through turmoil also reveals the massive potential and deep resilience that we are usually unaware of until we face challenges and crises.

Trauma

Transformation Through Turmoil

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 21, 2021

Transformation through turmoil or TTT occurs across a wide range of contexts. From soldiers, prisoners, bereaved people, addicts, and suicidal people to others who have had close encounters with death.

Transformation through turmoil or TTT occurs across a wide range of contexts. From soldiers, prisoners, bereaved people, addicts, and suicidal people to others who have had close encounters with death.

Addiction

Extraordinary Awakenings and the Disappearance of Addiction

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 16, 2021

In the midst of intense suffering and trauma, some people undergo transformation. In the severely addicted who "bottom out," this may involve a sudden release of addiction.

In the midst of intense suffering and trauma, some people undergo transformation. In the severely addicted who "bottom out," this may involve a sudden release of addiction.