My Principles
My Own Spiritual Journey
My own spiritual path is influenced by Western Esotericism (magic, alchemy, and astrology from the ancient period up to the present day), the Sufism of Idries Shah, and more recently the pre-Christian magic and religion of the ancient British Isles and Northern Europe. I do not belong to any particular religion or group.
Spiritual Crisis & Spiritual Emergency
I usually use these two terms interchangeably. I also include other terms such as, kundalini awakening, dark night of the soul, mystical psychosis, and Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs).
Spirituality & Mental Health
I take a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach. My view is that spirituality is part of the human being, in addition to body, mind, and emotions. However, in real life these distinctions tend to blur because they are largely arbitrary academic conventions.
Equality & Diversity
I support a cross-cultural and trans-historical approach that respects different perspectives. Although experiences similar to spiritual crisis/emergency can be identified across cultures, I also suspect that spiritual crisis is a specifically modern Western phenomenon that has something important to teach us about contemporary life.
Spirituality & Religion
I can appreciate the recent distinction that has arisen between spirituality and religion. However, I also believe that the world's religious traditions have important lessons for all of us, whether we are spiritual, religious, or not.
Co-exploration
I am not a spiritual teacher, director, guide, or guru. I see my role as one of spiritual co-explorer or companion. I do not have all the answers and cannot direct you on your own spiritual path. I cannot fix you, because you are not broken, or damaged in a way that someone else can fix.
Spiritual Practise & Spiritual Activism
I see my spiritual practice as an engagement with everyday life that honours my spiritual values. Therefore, I do not separate practise from daily-to-day living. This is reflected in an attitude of spiritual activism that lies behind much of my voluntary work and research. This work is itself a spiritual practice because it is done in honour and remembrance of the transpersonal others.
Spiritual Darkness
I firmly believe , along with the world's religions, that spirituality includes darkness as well as light. This is why I am interested in spiritual crisis. I also suspect that many who engage in spirituality (sometimes including myself) are engaging in a form of spiritual bypassing to avoid facing other issues. Occasional escapism can be helpful but not when it becomes self-delusion. We need to acknowledge the darkness, not hide from it or deny that it exists.
Psychedelics & Spirituality
Whilst I welcome recent opportunities to research the benefits of psychedelics, I suspect that the "psychedelic renaissance" will turn out to be a relatively short-lived fad. Our problems will not be solved by a pill, whether it is an antipsychotic or a psychedelic.
Psychiatry & Medication
Whilst I acknowledge that medications have unwelcome side effects and may not even work for everyone, I am not anti-medication. Enough people have reported to me that, were it not for the timely application of the right dosage of the right medication, their suffering would have been worse. It seems that, at least for some, medication can help them through the worst parts of a spiritual crisis. However, it certainly seems to me that long-term medication is not the answer to anyone's ills.
Commodification
I’m afraid to say that I feel increasingly uncomfortable when I see individuals or organisations that seek profit from spiritual awakening, crisis, or emergency. Genuine spirituality is not for sale; it cannot be purchased or sold, only lived. And lived each day until our last. This is one reason why I am not a spiritual guide, guru, or director. Of course, everyone has expenses; we all need to cover our costs. Even the gods demand gifts.
My own spiritual path is influenced by Western Esotericism (magic, alchemy, and astrology from the ancient period up to the present day), the Sufism of Idries Shah, and more recently the pre-Christian magic and religion of the ancient British Isles and Northern Europe. I do not belong to any particular religion or group.
Spiritual Crisis & Spiritual Emergency
I usually use these two terms interchangeably. I also include other terms such as, kundalini awakening, dark night of the soul, mystical psychosis, and Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs).
Spirituality & Mental Health
I take a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach. My view is that spirituality is part of the human being, in addition to body, mind, and emotions. However, in real life these distinctions tend to blur because they are largely arbitrary academic conventions.
Equality & Diversity
I support a cross-cultural and trans-historical approach that respects different perspectives. Although experiences similar to spiritual crisis/emergency can be identified across cultures, I also suspect that spiritual crisis is a specifically modern Western phenomenon that has something important to teach us about contemporary life.
Spirituality & Religion
I can appreciate the recent distinction that has arisen between spirituality and religion. However, I also believe that the world's religious traditions have important lessons for all of us, whether we are spiritual, religious, or not.
Co-exploration
I am not a spiritual teacher, director, guide, or guru. I see my role as one of spiritual co-explorer or companion. I do not have all the answers and cannot direct you on your own spiritual path. I cannot fix you, because you are not broken, or damaged in a way that someone else can fix.
Spiritual Practise & Spiritual Activism
I see my spiritual practice as an engagement with everyday life that honours my spiritual values. Therefore, I do not separate practise from daily-to-day living. This is reflected in an attitude of spiritual activism that lies behind much of my voluntary work and research. This work is itself a spiritual practice because it is done in honour and remembrance of the transpersonal others.
Spiritual Darkness
I firmly believe , along with the world's religions, that spirituality includes darkness as well as light. This is why I am interested in spiritual crisis. I also suspect that many who engage in spirituality (sometimes including myself) are engaging in a form of spiritual bypassing to avoid facing other issues. Occasional escapism can be helpful but not when it becomes self-delusion. We need to acknowledge the darkness, not hide from it or deny that it exists.
Psychedelics & Spirituality
Whilst I welcome recent opportunities to research the benefits of psychedelics, I suspect that the "psychedelic renaissance" will turn out to be a relatively short-lived fad. Our problems will not be solved by a pill, whether it is an antipsychotic or a psychedelic.
Psychiatry & Medication
Whilst I acknowledge that medications have unwelcome side effects and may not even work for everyone, I am not anti-medication. Enough people have reported to me that, were it not for the timely application of the right dosage of the right medication, their suffering would have been worse. It seems that, at least for some, medication can help them through the worst parts of a spiritual crisis. However, it certainly seems to me that long-term medication is not the answer to anyone's ills.
Commodification
I’m afraid to say that I feel increasingly uncomfortable when I see individuals or organisations that seek profit from spiritual awakening, crisis, or emergency. Genuine spirituality is not for sale; it cannot be purchased or sold, only lived. And lived each day until our last. This is one reason why I am not a spiritual guide, guru, or director. Of course, everyone has expenses; we all need to cover our costs. Even the gods demand gifts.
My Finances
My work over the last 26 years has been almost entirely self-funded. I have spent literally thousands of pounds and donated thousands of hours of voluntary work doing this. I don’t do it for a profit. This is my passion; this is my thing.
I’m not legally obliged to report my income and expenditure. However, in the interests of transparency I have published these figures on my website for those who are curious. Hopefully, the numbers make it clear that I am not in this to make a profit. My living expenses have always been earned from my career in ICT, mostly working in the charity and public sectors. This is how I fund my work on spiritual crisis.
I’m not legally obliged to report my income and expenditure. However, in the interests of transparency I have published these figures on my website for those who are curious. Hopefully, the numbers make it clear that I am not in this to make a profit. My living expenses have always been earned from my career in ICT, mostly working in the charity and public sectors. This is how I fund my work on spiritual crisis.