“Freedom is perhaps the ultimate spiritual longing of an individual human being, but freedom is only really appreciated when it falls within the parameters of a larger sense of belonging. In freedom is the wish to belong to structure in our own particular way…. We are strange, difficult creatures who long for both freedom and … More on freedom and belonging
How we view a problem will shape our response. As Abraham Maslow famously said, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” So how do we find other tools? And do we need a tool at all, or perhaps a flower? I’ve been thinking about … More two toned
Why am I here? It’s the ultimate question, posed to myself each morning when I rise to face the day. I’ve pondered, and read extensively, about life purpose, from beautiful reflections like Parker J Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak, to more practical studies such as 7 Questions to Find Your Purpose. There are dozens of … More love to learn
I think the question we have to ask ourselves is: “Do you believe you have a soul?” John Cusack I nearly wept when I read this question, posed as it was in the middle of a discussion about the impending US election – the most soulless circus in town. I can barely read the headlines, … More on soul
We are born into perilous states, and we end by dying – so, have a nice day! – James Hollis I am a life coach. That wasn’t easy to say. I can’t help but look at the life coaching industry with skepticism: so much flakiness and shim-shammery dished out in slick sales pitches. And yet … More on life coaching
I’ve done some work with rocks and what I’ve learned is that their primary consciousness is of silence. It’s much easier to feel that with a boulder. You might try this, go find some boulders, the bigger the better, and feel them blasting silence. When you tune into it it’s really powerful… A pebble is … More on silence and otherwise
“Singing brings joy to people. You just need to look at people’s faces when they sing.” Maryam Ghaffari, founder of Got Soul choir It’s becoming more and more difficult these days to look at the world around me with joy. As the problems mount, and the news drips out its steady beat of grim stories … More music and joy
My friend Steve of 21soul and I have both experienced recent bereavements, though in very different ways (a close family member in his case, a beloved family pet in mine.) Both deaths involved the culmination of a long period of illness and decline. The heaviness of the sickroom so gradually accumulates that one doesn’t realise … More on soulmaking
In Tristimania Jay Griffiths tells the story of her struggle with a year-long episode of mental disturbance caused by bipolar disorder. Struggle indeed: the entire narrative bristles with her tension, bitten-down fingernails of reason digging down to keep a thin grip on sanity. She writes beautifully, skillfully, documenting every subtle aspect of her plight with … More traveling beyond on the bipolar express
Today marks the launch of Unpsychology Magazine Issue 4: the Climate Minds Anthology. When Unpsychology founder Steve Thorp invited me to co-edit this issue, I was delighted with the opportunity to get involved in a project with so much heart and soul behind it. It touched me especially to help address the elephant in the … More environ-mental health
