The Secular Mystic Path

Trauma

Survivors of Complex Trauma and Coping With Ambiguity

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 20, 2025

Early trauma can compromise the ability to relate to the ambiguity accompanying the unknown. We can reclaim a robust imagination and take action, reflecting what we cherish.

Early trauma can compromise the ability to relate to the ambiguity accompanying the unknown. We can reclaim a robust imagination and take action, reflecting what we cherish.

Illusion of Control

Making Peace With the Unknown

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 14, 2025

The mutation of viruses, political leaders with arrested development, and global financial instability have us facing the unknown on a new level, creating stress and anxiety.

The mutation of viruses, political leaders with arrested development, and global financial instability have us facing the unknown on a new level, creating stress and anxiety.

Authenticity

In Search of Genuine Belonging

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 12, 2025

As families face increased levels of estrangement and isolation, the yearning to find genuine belonging is ever-present.

As families face increased levels of estrangement and isolation, the yearning to find genuine belonging is ever-present.

Relationships

Trusting Others and Ourselves

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 24, 2025

When is it appropriate to trust others or to distrust them? How can we build self-trust?

When is it appropriate to trust others or to distrust them? How can we build self-trust?

Self-Esteem

Conditional Self-Worth vs. Unconditional Self-Worth

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 17, 2025

Many of us are either trapped in self-loathing or striving to prove we are enough. Humility can bring us back to our essential goodness, with nothing to prove.

Many of us are either trapped in self-loathing or striving to prove we are enough. Humility can bring us back to our essential goodness, with nothing to prove.

Resilience

Developing Radical Resiliency

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 2, 2025

Radical resiliency, built upon a reverent relationship with life, allows us to live with an open heart without succumbing to bitterness, cynicism, or excessive self-criticism.

Radical resiliency, built upon a reverent relationship with life, allows us to live with an open heart without succumbing to bitterness, cynicism, or excessive self-criticism.

Loneliness

Are You Feeling Alone in a Primary Relationship?

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 17, 2025

A good relationship doesn't mean being clones of one another. It does mean learning to honor one another's uniqueness. Without such an honoring, feeling deeply alone can occur.

A good relationship doesn't mean being clones of one another. It does mean learning to honor one another's uniqueness. Without such an honoring, feeling deeply alone can occur.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Mature Masculinity

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 9, 2025

Understanding personal power vs. socioeconomic and political power.

Understanding personal power vs. socioeconomic and political power.

Relationships

Mature vs. Immature Pleasing in Relationships

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 1, 2025

We often think that pleasing our partners is essential to building a relationship. The post explains why and how emotional participation can deepen a connection.

We often think that pleasing our partners is essential to building a relationship. The post explains why and how emotional participation can deepen a connection.

Consciousness

Facing Life's Difficult Questions

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on January 27, 2025

We have greatly benefited from the scientific method. However, it cannot guide an inquiry into what truly matters. That calls for a relationship with mystery.

We have greatly benefited from the scientific method. However, it cannot guide an inquiry into what truly matters. That calls for a relationship with mystery.

Authenticity

Become the Author of Yourself

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on January 14, 2025

Lessons taken from the Judeo-Christian origin story can illuminate the challenges of moving from childhood to creating adulthood.

Lessons taken from the Judeo-Christian origin story can illuminate the challenges of moving from childhood to creating adulthood.

Aging

Maintaining a Youthful Spirit

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on January 6, 2025

Aging does not have to be the loss of youthfulness. Feeling the spirit of youthfulness comes through forgiving life, play, curiosity, awe and wonder.

Aging does not have to be the loss of youthfulness. Feeling the spirit of youthfulness comes through forgiving life, play, curiosity, awe and wonder.

Conformity

Striving to Be a Good Person

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on January 4, 2025

We often believe that "goodness" is determined by authority figures, so we strive for their approval. We can, however, learn to be the authors of our values and our lives.

We often believe that "goodness" is determined by authority figures, so we strive for their approval. We can, however, learn to be the authors of our values and our lives.

Friends

Getting Closer to Ourselves and Others

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 24, 2024

Getting closer to ourselves and others calls for us to be our correct size, affected by neither false modesty nor arrogance.

Getting closer to ourselves and others calls for us to be our correct size, affected by neither false modesty nor arrogance.

Relationships

Emotional Intimacy: A Sacred Predicament

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 9, 2024

We seem to be born with the capacity to love. However, emotional intimacy needs to be learned. We learn to honor our uniqueness and support the uniqueness of another.

We seem to be born with the capacity to love. However, emotional intimacy needs to be learned. We learn to honor our uniqueness and support the uniqueness of another.

Emotional Intelligence

A Whole Love Story

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 5, 2024

We tend to believe that the value of giving far exceeds the importance of receiving. But when we learn to both give and receive love graciously, we create a whole love story.

We tend to believe that the value of giving far exceeds the importance of receiving. But when we learn to both give and receive love graciously, we create a whole love story.

Emotions

Care for the Holidays: Addressing the Impact of 2 Archetypes

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on November 28, 2024

The holidays can recapture their original meaning, "holy days," by paying attention to the influence of the darkness of the Winter Solstice and the time of the child at Christmas.

The holidays can recapture their original meaning, "holy days," by paying attention to the influence of the darkness of the Winter Solstice and the time of the child at Christmas.

Forgiveness

Forgiving Yourself and Others

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on November 9, 2024

Learning how to offer forgiveness to ourselves and others can help alleviate feelings of guilt, remorse, and anger.

Learning how to offer forgiveness to ourselves and others can help alleviate feelings of guilt, remorse, and anger.

Extroversion

From the Extroverted Ideal to Being Externally Referenced

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on November 1, 2024

Once it became preferable to be extroverted or talk with others, it also became easy to define trust, forgiveness, loyalty, and kindness as dynamics happening only with others.

Once it became preferable to be extroverted or talk with others, it also became easy to define trust, forgiveness, loyalty, and kindness as dynamics happening only with others.

Imagination

Immature Innocence vs. Mature Innocence

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on October 17, 2024

It is only too easy to cope with life's challenges by using dynamics reflective of childhood innocence in the hope that they will be effective in adulthood.

It is only too easy to cope with life's challenges by using dynamics reflective of childhood innocence in the hope that they will be effective in adulthood.