A Mesmeric approach to the Dark Night of the Soul

Would Mesmerism prove any more effective than any of the other thus far useless approaches which promised salvation?

Under the Bodhi Tree

A descent into silence and meditation. A search for the soul.

Chaos and Uncertainty

I have not found it any easier to accept uncertainty in recent years despite my intellectual acceptance that it is unavoidable.

On Choosing Happiness

I believe on any number of counts, including personal experience, that we have the power to choose to be happy but the road is not altogether straightforward.

In, and out of the Silence

Can or should you remain in a state or place of “silence” or must or ought you return to the world?

Hope and Despair

For the miserable, moody and mercurial, one’s outlook can swivel on a sixpence. Or dime, if you prefer. Not so … More

Out of Your Head

It is easy enough to empathize with addicts if, for large chunks of your existence, you have had an overwhelming need to get out of your own head.

Peace at Last

Very occasionally one gets a glimpse of peace and today was one of those all too rare days.

Depression – Mind or Matter?

The state of depression is easy enough to describe but it is doubtful whether mere words manage to convey the depth of the misery to one who has never suffered from it.

How to be a Happy Human

Given the basic needs of life and in the absence of physiological abnormality, the solution is fairly simple. The trick … More

The Shameful, Avoidable Horror of Dementia and Old Age

We would put an animal down, surely we can offer the same courtesy to a human?

Norman Nembutal

For the ever mercurial Alfred the sun did not rise yesterday. After a splendid microdosed Sunday, he woke with a bump on Monday morning.

Facing down the Black Dog

Perhaps it is best to acknowledge the endless pawing of the black dog at your door. For some, it is a rare day that the gentle scuffling can not be heard.

Happiness and Genetic Bingo

We can expect limited success in our endeavours to change but some change is better than none. We may be able to tip the balance in our favour.

Really Bad Hair Day

Bad hair day doesn’t begin to describe the awfulness of a day of real negativity. There are days when the sun just seems to go out.

Free Legal High

Earlier this morning I had been contemplating nihilism. I was feeling nihilistic and unconstructive. I wondered if some pill or other could improve my mood and cheer up my day.

Corrosive, Obsessive Hatred

How can people not see what their untrammelled hatred does to themselves and those around them?

Scandinavian Happiness

I am disappointed to hear that Scandinavian happiness is “more a matter of class whether you can afford to take time to take care of yourself”.

Positivity

Embrace the positive avoid the negative.

Depression – Rational Enquiry vs Emotional Wallowing

Depression can only be defeated by science and rational enquiry not airy faerie emotional wallowing such as is to be found in most useless self help books.

The Abolition of Suffering

Philosopher David Pearce has a message of overwhelming significance: The Abolition of Suffering can and will be achieved.

Dealing with Depression

If you can deal with depression at all you need to determine whether your life is causing your anxiety or whether it is your anxiety which is ruining your life.