The Secular Mystic Path

Maintaining a beginner’s heart and mind

Decision-Making
Taking the Pressure Off of Decision-Making

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 10, 2026

We've been given a great deal of reinforcement regarding making good decisions. And almost no guidance concerning how to effectively cope with unfavorable outcomes.

We've been given a great deal of reinforcement regarding making good decisions. And almost no guidance concerning how to effectively cope with unfavorable outcomes.

Anger
Minimizing Unnecessary Drama

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 7, 2026

Many of us live with unnecessary drama, acting like it's normal. We can bring greater peace to our lives by understanding how we create drama and choosing wiser alternatives.

Many of us live with unnecessary drama, acting like it's normal. We can bring greater peace to our lives by understanding how we create drama and choosing wiser alternatives.

Intuition
Why Today's Young Men Seem Trapped

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on April 5, 2026

We ascribe the power of the interior world to females and the power of the external world to males, and then wonder why girls mature faster than boys.

We ascribe the power of the interior world to females and the power of the external world to males, and then wonder why girls mature faster than boys.

Leadership
Holding Inspired Authority

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 27, 2026

Most parents and leaders do not want to be abusive. As they attempt to avoid that, they often slip into abdication of authority, unaware of a third viable option.

Most parents and leaders do not want to be abusive. As they attempt to avoid that, they often slip into abdication of authority, unaware of a third viable option.

Resilience
Is Real Security Possible?

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 25, 2026

Readers are offered a realistic view of life, free of both naivete and cynicism. Suggestions are made for the best care we can offer ourselves on a perilous journey.

Readers are offered a realistic view of life, free of both naivete and cynicism. Suggestions are made for the best care we can offer ourselves on a perilous journey.

Locus of Control
Letting Go of Provisional Power

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 18, 2026

Power appears to be a much-desired commodity. So much so that we lose the distinction between provisional power and actual power.

Power appears to be a much-desired commodity. So much so that we lose the distinction between provisional power and actual power.

Happiness
Restoring Our Natural Rhythms

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 15, 2026

One way to support emotional wellness is to understand that the word "psychopathology" means "understanding the suffering of the soul" and not "fixing the suffering of the soul."

One way to support emotional wellness is to understand that the word "psychopathology" means "understanding the suffering of the soul" and not "fixing the suffering of the soul."

Career
Your Personal Worth Far Exceeds Your Achievements

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on March 9, 2026

It's only too easy to compensate for low self-regard by allowing our job performance to define our worth. Yet personal worth should be about who we are, not what we do.

It's only too easy to compensate for low self-regard by allowing our job performance to define our worth. Yet personal worth should be about who we are, not what we do.

Adverse Childhood Experiences
Breaking Free From Childhood Patterns

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 28, 2026

Once we are aware that we're reproducing or compensating for elements of our childhoods, we can interrupt the process and begin to fashion our own beliefs and decisions.

Once we are aware that we're reproducing or compensating for elements of our childhoods, we can interrupt the process and begin to fashion our own beliefs and decisions.

Gratitude
LIfe's Greatest Accomplishments

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 21, 2026

When we fully participate in life, both defeat and victory are inevitable. The key is to accept both and learn how to allow them to support our further participation.

When we fully participate in life, both defeat and victory are inevitable. The key is to accept both and learn how to allow them to support our further participation.

Authenticity
Choosing Simplicity Over Artificiality

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 16, 2026

It's easy to get drawn into artificial ways of substantiating self-worth. But there's a more genuine path of simplicity and self-love.

It's easy to get drawn into artificial ways of substantiating self-worth. But there's a more genuine path of simplicity and self-love.

Wisdom
Finessing Fate: Living With Two Forms of Power

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on February 1, 2026

It's all too easy to live with significant confusion about what we can actually control. Once we're honest about it, we can use willpower and surrender when appropriate.

It's all too easy to live with significant confusion about what we can actually control. Once we're honest about it, we can use willpower and surrender when appropriate.

Philosophy
For Love of Sophia: Creating a Personal Philosophy

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on January 27, 2026

Academic philosophy may have steered us away from understanding what the word philosophy literally means—the love of wisdom. Creating a personal philosophy places us in a love story.

Academic philosophy may have steered us away from understanding what the word philosophy literally means—the love of wisdom. Creating a personal philosophy places us in a love story.

Boundaries
Better Relationships With Better Boundaries

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 26, 2025

Only too often, we try to build a caring relationship without any understanding of how boundaries play a role in either compromising or strengthening rapport.

Only too often, we try to build a caring relationship without any understanding of how boundaries play a role in either compromising or strengthening rapport.

Authenticity
The Art of Emotional Generosity

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 13, 2025

While being generous with material gifts may inspire gratitude and friendship, it's emotional generosity that builds true rapport, trust, intimacy, and a sense of belonging.

While being generous with material gifts may inspire gratitude and friendship, it's emotional generosity that builds true rapport, trust, intimacy, and a sense of belonging.

Identity
Men: Finding Their Way Home to Their Full Humanity

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

Men continue to experience the psychological fallout of the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century—namely, becoming machine-like.

Men continue to experience the psychological fallout of the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century—namely, becoming machine-like.

Authenticity
Truth and Compassion Are the Guts of Intimacy

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on November 29, 2025

It takes practice and commitment to express the truth without being offensive. These steps can help you learn to tell the truth with compassion.

It takes practice and commitment to express the truth without being offensive. These steps can help you learn to tell the truth with compassion.

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Magazine
March 2026 magazine cover
March 2026
The Friend Effect: 23 Surprising Ways Other People Shape You

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
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