DisConnected

Next week my book DisConnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal the World is published! I’m very pleased with the book - it’s a summary of several years’ of my contemplations of various social and spiritual issues. It is quite a long book, which integrates and incorporate strong social, political and environmental perspectives with my spiritual approach. You can gain a sense of the book from the following comments:

“Not since Eric Hoffer's post-war classic, The True Believer, have we been treated to such an insightful understanding of the roots of good and evil, summed up so simply and clearly. One need only look around the world today to grasp the power of this remarkable book.” -- Alan Combs Ph.D., Professor of Consciousness Studies, California Institute of Integral Studies

“This may be the most important book you read this year. Dr. Taylor explains why malignant narcissists are taking over the world in the 21st Century.” -- John Gartner Ph.D., Founder, Duty To Warn

“This book will aid those who are confused about the nature of enlightenment, and those who suffer because their lives are distorted by disconnection. It will also help others who perceive the fundamental connection that is our ground and seek to understand more, practically and experientially, about the depths and intimacies of our being.” -- Dr. Mark Vernon, writer and psychotherapist

Here's the information on how to order the book:
 

Book Launch

There is an official online launch for the book, on May 8th, at 7 pm UK time, or 2 pm EST. (If you can’t make the actual event, a recording will be available.) As well as discussing the book, I will include meditations and poems to illustrate the reality and the power of connection. You can register at this link: 

(If you are on a lower income, you can enter the promo code at checkout: STUDENT)

Prayer for the Day

If you're up early this week (in the UK or Europe), listen out for me presenting 'Prayer for the Day' on BBC Radio 4 (for 6 episodes). It's great that the BBC are opening up the segment to spiritual inspirational perspectives, rather than traditionally religious. It's great to think that I will sending positive messages to the nation to start the day! You can listen here: 

The topics I discuss are: The Power of Positive Interaction, Gratitude in Being Alive, Stepping Outside your Story, Recapturing the Wonder of Childhood, The Power of Forgiveness and ‘Fellow Travellers.’I’ll include the ‘Fellow Travellers’ piece here, as a preview:

Fellow Travellers

A few years ago, I had a spiritual experience at a train station. Arriving early for my train, I sat down for a coffee at the station café, looking around at the other customers and travellers. I was suddenly filled with a tremendous feeling of love for everyone. I felt a strong urge to connect with people, to express my affection through friendliness. I started a conversation about football with the man next to me. On the train, I chatted with the conductor and joked with the refreshments seller. Outside the window, sunlight was pouring down on the hills, under a perfect blue sky, and I felt illuminated too. 
       It’s not uncommon for such spiritual experiences to occur train stations or on train journeys. In my research, I have collected several examples. For example, a man described how his train compartment suddenly flooded with light. As he described it, “A most curious but overwhelming sense possessed me and filled me with ecstasy…I would have died for any one of the people in that compartment.” 
       Perhaps these experiences occur because stations and journeys remind us that we are all fellow travellers. We are all sharing the journey of life, at different stages. At the same time, we are all passengers on the Planet Earth as it floats through space, spinning on its axis and rotating around the sun. 
      As travellers, we are all equal. We share the same basic impulses: to avoid and transcend suffering, to be accepted and respected, to find wellbeing and love.  
      As we travel together, it makes sense to support each other. It makes sense for us to connect with one another, rather than to compete and fight. So keep that in mind today - treat everyone you meet as a fellow traveller, who deserves your respect and help. 
    Blessings. 
 

Psychology Today Article on End of Life experiences 

I’ve published a second article for my Psychology Today, but unusual experiences around the time of death. This time, I focused on the experiences of people who witness the death of others, or who are connected to them. Let me know if you’ve had such an experience. You can read the article here

Poem - Walking in the Woods

I began this newsletter by speaking about my experience in the woods in France. Here’s a poem I wrote recently after walking in the woods in Yorkshire.