“As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…“
Hermes TRISMEGISTUS
MindThatEgo is an exploration of truth. Though my journey is not merely intellectual, I am drawn to the path of jnana yoga (knowledge). I’m inspired by depth psychology, non-duality, philosophy, spirituality, religion, mythology, and more. You will notice a leaning toward Jungian philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, and Buddhism.
The heart of MindThatEgo is a desire to synthesise the deep deep depths of psychology (the soul) and the transformative perceptual shifts of non-dual, meditative traditions (pure consciousness).
Over 20 years I’ve found immense value in both approaches. Yet they are lacking in isolation. The possibility of liberation or “no-mind” is absent in Western psychology, whilst Eastern meditative traditions are undeveloped in their exploration of the “contents” of the mind. As Ken Wilber expertly captures in his model of Waking Up and Growing Up, both modalities need each other.
In other words: there’s a need to develop a healthy ego and a need to expand our sense of self beyond it.
In addition to my meditation and self-enquiry practice, my research takes place through my podcast — where I talk to leading experts in fields of spirituality, psychology, science, philosophy, and more. Plus reading and writing, where I sense I enter a trancelike state and travel through the imaginal realm, where ideas start to form as I fumble around with building blocks and follow faint whispers of far off lands.
Current areas of focus are understanding misconceptions of madness and psychosis (in the context of cosmic consciousness), fine-tuning nuances in the possibility (and again, misconceptions) of enlightenment, learning the language of the soul (its symbolic, archetypal, and mythological expression), and piecing together a coherent worldview. To date, that worldview is holistic and interconnected, most aligned with the Vedic notion of Brahman.
Why mysticism? Throughout history mystics been labelled heretics for rebelling against institutionalised religion and courageously cultivating a personal relationship with God. Since the Age of Enlightenment, the modern mystic is viewed as acting against rationality, logic, and the dogma of material science (known as scientism). Mystical experiences are often dismissed as madness or make-believe, and to this day, it’s an act of rebellion to cultivate a personal relationship with God.
Why depth psychology? Where I end and MindThatEgo begins is blurry. I struggled with my mental health from a young age, which manifested over the years as chronic depression, panic disorder, and psychosis. The depth of my suffering has given me an unrelenting curiosity to understand, acting as a call to adventure to search far and wide. As I continue to explore, my ideas continue to refine.
As a result, MindThatEgo is never set in stone, it’s alive as long as I am, and probably longer. I wish to explore this terrain with as much humility, curiosity, and joy as possible. If the result is worth reading, or provides insight that supports your journey, that’s an added bonus.
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