What's on this website? 

 

There are several stories, poems and quotes from wise people for you to read and responses have been made to some of your questions.

 

There is a section exploring the nature of reality from various viewpoints, including scientific and religious theories and some new ideas that might be of interest.  An investigation into the nature of truth asks how we can honestly claim to know anything, while another page looks at beliefs and their usefulness or otherwise.  

 

 

Another section explores the nature of Mind, looking at our current understanding of how the mind works and how to use it effectively. 

If you are a bit low at the moment, there is a page on how to lift depression and start to feel better very quickly and also an exploration of what we mean by happiness and how to find it.  These, and the section on meditation, may help you to find some inner peace. 

 

If your aim is to learn how to master your mind, you may be interested to read the pages on the APET model, how to keep your cool and deal with anger (yours and other people's) and an exploration of our mental maps: how we acquire them and how we can change any unhelpful ones and keep it real. We also ask how reliable the Media might be as a source of our personal take on reality!

 

There is a section about the elusive concept of enlightenment; why we should be careful in our use of that word and why, if there is such a thing, it could be very important to us at this time in our history.  There is also an exploration of some of the well-trodden paths, expounded by sages, which can lead to what is sometimes known as Self-realization, and the practical skills that can help us along those paths are considered, including meditiation.  An empowering world-view is offered, and also a discussion asking to what extent we might be capable of creating our own reality.

 

This section also has an in-depth investigation into whether or not we have free will or whether we, and everything else, are entirely predictable and the future is already fixed in the fabric of the spacetime continuum.  This debate has been raging among philosophers, possibly  for as long as there have been philosophers, and modern scientists are now throwing themselves into the debate with enthusiasm.  Are we the hapless witnesses of our own prescribed fate, merely deluding ourselves into thinking that any of this exists or that we have a choice in the things we appear to be doing?  It's up to you to decide what you think.  Or is it?

 

 

  

 

 

 

My best advice would be to get hold of 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory. 

(No insult to your intelligence intended, it's just a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.)

 

Covering not only string theory but also a balanced, unbiassed overview of alternative suggestions, such as quantum loop gravity, it's readable, understandable, entertaining and thought-provoking and has a good list of further reading and helpful websites, including one that has free, downloadable lecture notes from a Nobel Prize winner, if you wish to immerse yourself more deeply.

 

See the reading list 

 

 I have particularly enjoyed reading:

  

 

A brilliant discussion of the concept of information from a leading light in the field of quantum computing.  Essential reading for scientists, philosophers, sages, investors, gamblers (seriously!), sociologists and human beings generally. 

Written by a Professor of Physics at Oxford yet surprisingly free from hard sums!

If you are looking for a paradigm shift in your understanding of the universe, read this book!