Out of the Darkness

Creativity

Reconnecting to the Muse

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 29, 2026

Creativity and spirituality are two facets of the same deep state of being. To become spiritual is to be creative, and to be creative is to be spiritual

Creativity and spirituality are two facets of the same deep state of being. To become spiritual is to be creative, and to be creative is to be spiritual

Dark Triad

The Death Drive

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 12, 2026

Some people seem to enjoy waging war and causing destruction, with no empathy for the suffering they bring. What makes people like this?

Some people seem to enjoy waging war and causing destruction, with no empathy for the suffering they bring. What makes people like this?

Spirituality

Higher States of Consciousness

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 7, 2026

Higher states of consciousness are not hallucinations but authentic transformational experiences, mostly triggered by turmoil, contact with nature, or meditation.

Higher states of consciousness are not hallucinations but authentic transformational experiences, mostly triggered by turmoil, contact with nature, or meditation.

Narcissism

When Personality Dictates Policy, the Psychology of Fascism

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on January 16, 2026

Fascism is not a political philosophy; it's a term that describes the behaviour of psychologically disordered people in power.

Fascism is not a political philosophy; it's a term that describes the behaviour of psychologically disordered people in power.

Creativity

How Idleness Can Lead to Genius

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 14, 2025

Many great discoveries have emerged from the "twilight" state between wakefulness and sleep. It's possible to use this state to gain inspiration and ideas.

Many great discoveries have emerged from the "twilight" state between wakefulness and sleep. It's possible to use this state to gain inspiration and ideas.

Dark Triad

Are the Rich Really More Selfish and Mean Than Everyone Else?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 7, 2025

The pricier the car, the less considerate the driver.

The pricier the car, the less considerate the driver.

Bias

Racism Is Not Innate

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 13, 2025

Research shows a link between racism and a lack of psychological integration. Psychologically healthy people are rarely—if ever—racist.

Research shows a link between racism and a lack of psychological integration. Psychologically healthy people are rarely—if ever—racist.

Unconscious

The Subliminal Mind and the Superconscious

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 12, 2025

Personal Perspective: The "superconscious aspects" of the human mind should be studied and explored just as much as the unconscious and conscious mind.

Personal Perspective: The "superconscious aspects" of the human mind should be studied and explored just as much as the unconscious and conscious mind.

Creativity

How Do Drugs Affect Creativity?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on August 15, 2025

Evidence is unclear about psychedelics, but other drugs clearly damage creativity by disconnecting and dulling our minds, and impairing our perspective and editing abilities.

Evidence is unclear about psychedelics, but other drugs clearly damage creativity by disconnecting and dulling our minds, and impairing our perspective and editing abilities.

Mindfulness

The Enduring Wisdom of "Let It Be"

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on July 28, 2025

The Beatles' masterpiece showcases the harmony that comes from accepting negative situations.

The Beatles' masterpiece showcases the harmony that comes from accepting negative situations.

Creativity

When Creativity Transmits

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 16, 2025

The best creativity comes from beyond the conscious mind, transmitting real emotion and experience to its audience in a way that artificial creativity never could.

The best creativity comes from beyond the conscious mind, transmitting real emotion and experience to its audience in a way that artificial creativity never could.

Near-Death Experiences

When Life Flashes Before Our Eyes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 26, 2025

Many people report a 'life review' when they are close to death. Given the challenges of explaining the experience, perhaps the key to understanding it is a different view of time.

Many people report a 'life review' when they are close to death. Given the challenges of explaining the experience, perhaps the key to understanding it is a different view of time.

Creativity

The Mystery of Effortless Creativity

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 13, 2025

Why do the best ideas and creative works seem to come effortlessly? The key to spontaneous creativity is relaxation, which opens our minds to inspiration.

Why do the best ideas and creative works seem to come effortlessly? The key to spontaneous creativity is relaxation, which opens our minds to inspiration.

Spirituality

"The Essence of All Life"

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 21, 2025

Native Americans and other indigenous peoples saw the world as sacred and spiritual, pervaded with a spiritual force. This was not based on belief but on experience.

Native Americans and other indigenous peoples saw the world as sacred and spiritual, pervaded with a spiritual force. This was not based on belief but on experience.

Geographical Psychology

The Weird Psychology of Airports

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 15, 2025

First, almost no one at an airport truly wants to be there.

First, almost no one at an airport truly wants to be there.

Philosophy

Time Expansion Experiences

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on January 24, 2025

Time flows at different speeds in different states of mind, and sometimes expands dramatically. Does this mean that it is created by our minds?

Time flows at different speeds in different states of mind, and sometimes expands dramatically. Does this mean that it is created by our minds?

Mindfulness

How to Slow Down Time in the Coming Year

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 18, 2024

There are simple steps we can take to make sure that time doesn't run away from us and that this year doesn't pass faster than last year.

There are simple steps we can take to make sure that time doesn't run away from us and that this year doesn't pass faster than last year.

Near-Death Experiences

Stepping Out of Time

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 23, 2024

Why does time seem to expand during accidents and emergencies? Why does it sometimes disappear altogether? It's because time is a flexible construct determined by state of mind.

Why does time seem to expand during accidents and emergencies? Why does it sometimes disappear altogether? It's because time is a flexible construct determined by state of mind.

Sport and Competition

In the Slow Zone: When Time Expands for Athletes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Why do some athletes experience a dramatic slowing of time? Is it possible that this is the key to extraordinary achievements in sport?

Why do some athletes experience a dramatic slowing of time? Is it possible that this is the key to extraordinary achievements in sport?

Mindfulness

Why We Feel Time Speed Up as We Start to Get Older

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 11, 2024

How to give your mind more to process.

How to give your mind more to process.