Out of the Darkness

The science of post-traumatic growth.

Steve Taylor Ph.D.

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

In psychology and beyond, Native American cultures have had a massive influence.

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."

Open-Minded Science

Recent studies have shown significant evidence for psi phenomena like telepathy and precognition. So why isn't psi more widely accepted by scientists and academics?

Addiction and a Lack of Purpose

Widespread substance abuse is an inevitable result of a lack of purpose

Transformation Through Dying

Some scientists believe that near-death experiences are hallucinations. But could a hallucination have such powerful and permanent effects?

Near-Death Experiences and DMT

A neurological explanation of NDEs remains elusive.

Extreme Altruism

Would you donate your kidney to a stranger? Some people do, and their motivations present a puzzle.

When the Mind Stops

When people go to see the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, or the paintings of van Gogh, they are unconsciously hoping for a mind-stopping moment.

An Alternative View of Human Nature

Evidence suggests that altruism and egalitarianism are more natural to human beings than selfishness and cruelty.

The Politics of Ageing

Research shows that old people tend to be more right-wing, and more nationalistic and prejudiced than younger people. What could the psychological reasons for this be?

The Meaning of Life May Be Life Itself

We find meaning when we “wake up” and experience life and the world more fully.

Beyond Anxiety

Most anxiety is rooted in thought and we can heal it by transcending thought.

The Voice Inside Your Head

Your thought-chatter is not you, in the same way that your digestion or blood circulation is not you. It's just a process taking place inside you.

The After-Effects of Awakening

An awakening experience may only last for a few minutes and yet permanently transform your life.

The Psychology of Racism

Racism is not "natural." It is a psychological defense mechanism that some people use in response to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

Letting Go

Why do some people become more 'spiritual,' and happier, as they get older? Aging can be a process of letting go that leads to acceptance and inner well-being.

How Much Inner Security Do You Have?

What is inner security? Can it be measured? Please help a psychologist in his research of the concept.

Sham Surgery

How can pretending to perform an operation have the same effect as actually performing one? How can healing take place without any treatment?

The Power of Placebo

The placebo effect is more than belief - again and again, it has been shown to produce real physiological and neurological changes. Does this mean that the mind can heal the body?

Benjamin Libet and The Denial of Free Will

How can a person choose, of their own free will, to try to prove that they have no free will?

Why Hedonism Doesn't Lead to Happiness

In the long run, trying to find happiness solely through hedonism can lead to a sense of meaninglessness and emptiness.

From the Worst in Human Nature to the Best

One of the most amazing things about disasters is the acts of incredible altruism and self-sacrifice they give rise to.

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