Steve Taylor's February Newsletter
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Dear
I hope you are well. It has been extremely cold in the UK recently but it won’t be long now till spring arrives. In just a few weeks, the Earth will stir to life again, turning green and bright and filling with freshness and beauty. Inside people’s souls there will be new life and freshness too. Spring is an awakening. And to me it symbolises the collective,
worldwide awakening that the whole human race is undergoing at the moment. One of my favourite poems by D.H. Lawrence is 'The Coming of Spring,' where he writes about the urgency of transformation in the world, and the sense that this transformation is occurring now. At the same time he's not sure whether he is deceiving himself. As he writes . “Ah, do not let me die on the brink of such anticipation! Worse, let me not deceive myself.”
Extraordinary Awakenings
On the subject of awakening, I’ve had some more suggested covers for my upcoming book Extraordinary Awakenings. The consensus of opinion last time was that
the ‘sunrise over the mountain’ cover was the best, so the publisher has come up with some variations. Let me know which one you think is the most appealing. I’ve also just had the ‘blurb’ of the book from my publisher, which reads very well, I think:
Why do some human beings who experience the worst that life has to offer respond not by breaking down, but by shifting up, into a higher-functioning awakened state, like a phoenix rising from the ashes? And perhaps most importantly, how can we emulate their transformations? Over many years of observing and studying the phenomenon of life-changing awakening through extreme suffering, Steve Taylor coined the term “transformation through turmoil.” He calls these people “shifters” and here shares dozens of their amazing stories.
In addition, Steve uncovers the psychological processes that explain their miraculous rebirths after years of
struggle or devastating loss, addiction or imprisonment. He highlights a number of lessons and guidelines that the shifters offer us. Some will read this book for riveting stories of transformation that show the amazing resilience of the human spirit; readers will also find hope and guidance in the midst of their own struggles, together with profound food for thought, and inspiration.
Out of the Darkness for only £1.40 or $1.99!
In a way, Extraordinary Awakenings is a sequel to my 2011 book Out of the Darkness. This book is one of my personal favourites that still receives a lot of positive feedback from readers. As a special offer, the publisher has made it available throughout February on kindle for just £1.42 or $1.99. It's on offer at the equivalent price on book sites throughout the world.
It’s available here in the UK and here in the US
Dialogue with Serge -
Breakdown or Breakthrough?
On March 2nd, I’m taking part in a dialogue with my good friend, the author and psychotherapist Serge Beddington-Behrens. We are discussing the topic of “Breakdown or Breakthrough: What is the Future of the Human Race?' Here’s a summary:
"The human race is presently living through major crises. What is the source of these crises? What opportunity do they hold for our development? What do they mean in relation to the evolution of consciousness? Serge and Steve will discuss these issues in dialogue. Steve will also read poems. Both Serge and Steve are musicians, and may also play a song or two. There will also be an
opportunity to ask questions."
Talk on Pathocracy
I am looking forward to giving my first ever talk on 'Pathocracy' this week, on February 18th, for an Italian psychological association. I will be speaking in English, with an Italian interpreter. The full title is 'The Problem of Pathocracy: Psychopathy,
narcissism and political power.' It's free to register. More details here
The Daily Star
A few days ago I was featured in a story in British newspaper The Daily Star. It was about near-death periences. It was a little sensationalised, but included some interesting cases and an interview with me (below). It has to be a good thing to see the words 'Consciousness is everywhere in the universe' in a tabloid newspaper! The article is
here
New Poems
Let me leave you a couple of poems that may relevant to you, if you are going through a difficult time at the moment, or if anyone close to you is going through a difficult time, and you want to comfort them.
Sadness
Don’t feel ashamed of your sadness.
Sadness doesn’t mean you’re weak or imperfect.
It just means that you’re human.
Without sadness, how could we survive
in a world that makes so many demands on us
and is so full of suffering and injustice?
Sadness is a release of pressure
like steam from boiling water.
It’s surplus emotion that we release
so we can return to equilibrium.
Sadness is cleansing and healing.
It flushes out the stress and bitterness
that would poison us if it stayed inside.
The Gift of Presence
When a friend is suffering
don’t feel that you have to comfort them with words.
Don’t rack your brain for the right advice,
the right sentiment, the right phrase and tone.
Don’t feel you have to present a reasoned argument
to help defeat their sorrow.
You don’t need to try - you just need to be.
Don’t give them advice, give them your attention.
Don’t share your wisdom, just share your presence.
Listen, and be still
so that your being can connect with theirs.
Then let compassion flow quietly and softly
from your soul to theirs.
Comfort your friend, not with carefully chosen words
but with the wholeness of your attention
and the purity of your presence.
Comfort them, not with advice or gifts
but with the soothing, healing radiance of your being
all best wishes and blessings,
Steve
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