Out of the Darkness

Creativity

When Creativity Transmits

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 16, 2025

The best creativity comes from beyond the conscious mind, transmitting real emotion and experience to its audience in a way that artificial creativity never could.

The best creativity comes from beyond the conscious mind, transmitting real emotion and experience to its audience in a way that artificial creativity never could.

Near-Death Experiences

When Life Flashes Before Our Eyes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 26, 2025

Many people report a 'life review' when they are close to death. Given the challenges of explaining the experience, perhaps the key to understanding it is a different view of time.

Many people report a 'life review' when they are close to death. Given the challenges of explaining the experience, perhaps the key to understanding it is a different view of time.

Creativity

The Mystery of Effortless Creativity

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 13, 2025

Why do the best ideas and creative works seem to come effortlessly? The key to spontaneous creativity is relaxation, which opens our minds to inspiration.

Why do the best ideas and creative works seem to come effortlessly? The key to spontaneous creativity is relaxation, which opens our minds to inspiration.

Spirituality

"The Essence of All Life"

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 21, 2025

Native Americans and other indigenous peoples saw the world as sacred and spiritual, pervaded with a spiritual force. This was not based on belief but on experience.

Native Americans and other indigenous peoples saw the world as sacred and spiritual, pervaded with a spiritual force. This was not based on belief but on experience.

Geographical Psychology

The Weird Psychology of Airports

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 15, 2025

First, almost no one at an airport truly wants to be there.

First, almost no one at an airport truly wants to be there.

Philosophy

Time Expansion Experiences

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on January 24, 2025

Time flows at different speeds in different states of mind, and sometimes expands dramatically. Does this mean that it is created by our minds?

Time flows at different speeds in different states of mind, and sometimes expands dramatically. Does this mean that it is created by our minds?

Mindfulness

How to Slow Down Time in the Coming Year

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 18, 2024

There are simple steps we can take to make sure that time doesn't run away from us and that this year doesn't pass faster than last year.

There are simple steps we can take to make sure that time doesn't run away from us and that this year doesn't pass faster than last year.

Near-Death Experiences

Stepping Out of Time

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 23, 2024

Why does time seem to expand during accidents and emergencies? Why does it sometimes disappear altogether? It's because time is a flexible construct determined by state of mind.

Why does time seem to expand during accidents and emergencies? Why does it sometimes disappear altogether? It's because time is a flexible construct determined by state of mind.

Sport and Competition

In the Slow Zone: When Time Expands for Athletes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Why do some athletes experience a dramatic slowing of time? Is it possible that this is the key to extraordinary achievements in sport?

Why do some athletes experience a dramatic slowing of time? Is it possible that this is the key to extraordinary achievements in sport?

Mindfulness

Why We Feel Time Speed Up as We Start to Get Older

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 11, 2024

How to give your mind more to process.

How to give your mind more to process.

Loneliness

Solitude and Loneliness

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on August 15, 2024

Some people hate spending time alone. Other people find solitude therapeutic and essential. What makes the difference?

Some people hate spending time alone. Other people find solitude therapeutic and essential. What makes the difference?

Mindfulness

The Benefits of Living More Slowly

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on July 18, 2024

Just a few moments of being present can transform your day.

Just a few moments of being present can transform your day.

Near-Death Experiences

The Enigma of Terminal Lucidity

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on June 2, 2024

A potential alternate view of consciousness.

A potential alternate view of consciousness.

Child Development

Why a Harmonious Childhood Is Key to Psychological and Social Health

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 30, 2024

If any society seriously wishes to improve levels of wellbeing and overall harmony, the best place to start is childhood.

If any society seriously wishes to improve levels of wellbeing and overall harmony, the best place to start is childhood.

Psychopathy

The Roots of Evil

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 11, 2024

Psychopaths and dark triad personalities show the same pattern of childhood trauma and emotional deprivation. They are not born but made.

Psychopaths and dark triad personalities show the same pattern of childhood trauma and emotional deprivation. They are not born but made.

Trauma

Trauma and Transformation

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Why do trauma and turmoil sometimes bring a profound psychological transformation?

Why do trauma and turmoil sometimes bring a profound psychological transformation?

Near-Death Experiences

How Contemplating Our Mortality Can Lead to Transformation

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 27, 2024

Surviving an encounter with death, or even just contemplating death, can have a powerful positive effect.

Surviving an encounter with death, or even just contemplating death, can have a powerful positive effect.

Spirituality

What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Awakened?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on January 24, 2024

Enlightenment or spiritual awakening can be investigated psychologically, and measured using this scale.

Enlightenment or spiritual awakening can be investigated psychologically, and measured using this scale.

Near-Death Experiences

Is It Possible to Foresee Death?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Creativity

The Transcendent Creativity of The Beatles

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 2, 2023

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.