As a kid I spent a lot of time thinking there was something wrong with me. I was totally convinced that my lowly opinion of myself was true, and there were plenty of so-called facts I could use to back up my claim. I wasn’t a happy bunny. It was only when I discovered psychology… Continue reading The Twin Fears that Shape our Identity
I know the exact day I became a writer. It was Friday 23rd April 2004 and I was walking to work. As I dodged the rush hour traffic, a story unspooled into my mind that was so compelling I knew I must write it down. I arrived at work, grabbed some paper and scribbled down… Continue reading Why Do Writers Write?
This week I’m reading The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts – a classic and essential reading in the Age of Anxiety. This was the first of Alan Watts’ books that I read so it has a special place on my bookshelves. I’ve returned to it many times and always find it illuminating and entertaining –… Continue reading Review: The Wisdom of Insecurity
This writing exercise is a way to challenge yourself and have fun at the same time. The idea is to pick three random words, the more disconnected from each other the better, and then add an emotion. Then you write for ten minutes and incorporate all the words in a way that conveys the emotion… Continue reading Writing Exercise: Random Story Generator
I’m preparing to rewrite my second novel (again) so thought I’d limber up with some writing exercises, get the old fiction juices flowing. I’ll share the instructions for each exercise and the results, and you can ‘write along’ with me, if you like. Note: I’m doing these exercises longhand and then typing them up –… Continue reading Writing Exercise: What’s in a Word?
A selection of recommended Philosophy books for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly interesting or inspiring over the years. There are longer reviews attached via links, and more to come… David Edwards – Free to be Human Subtitled Intellectual Self-Defence in an Age of… Continue reading Philosophy Bookshelf
Every age has its own flavour and feel. Looking at the world around us these days, it’s hard to avoid the sense of chaos, upheaval and general decay. History is pockmarked with revolution, interspersed by periods of relative tranquillity. Have you ever wondered how these times of change come about? One way to attempt understanding is… Continue reading Zeitgeist: Revolution
The final step on our journey to awakening is The World. A young figure wrapped in a veil dances within a wreath holding two wands. Four creatures are depicted in the corners. This is card number 21 which reduces to 3 symbolising the synthesis of opposites and creation. The World symbolises the unified Self. The… Continue reading Tarot Hero’s Journey: The World
“You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen, —the seven masks I have fashioned and worn in seven lives, —I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, “Thieves, thieves, the cursed… Continue reading How I became a madman…
After busting some enlightenment myths, I thought I should look at what enlightenment actually is, with the rather obvious disclaimer: I’m not enlightened, although I am working on it… maybe in the next life! The first thing to say is that it isn’t possible to say what enlightenment reveals. The true nature of reality is… Continue reading What Is Enlightenment?
What comes to mind when you think of enlightenment? Saints glowing with divine radiance? Gurus with unfeasibly long beards chanting incomprehensible mantras? Endless do-gooding and lots of smiling? Floating on a cloud of bliss while dispensing otherworldly wisdom? Enlightenment is often seen as a one-off event that changes your life forever. Darkness is banished and… Continue reading Myths About Enlightenment
Sartre said we are condemned to be free. But you could say we are condemned to choose. Having big brains frees us from being driven by instinct, but our consciousness only makes it possible for us to be free. We are only free if we act on it and make a choice. It is impossible… Continue reading Being Creative in a Mad World: Choosing
Jessica Davidson 