‘No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.’ –  Albert Einstein.

Are you one of those looking on with dismay at current political events and thinking to yourself ‘there has to be a better way’? Or maybe there are issues closer to home, with family and friends, or at work, which trigger the same anguished thought?

If so then I hope this website may provide some starting points for a fresh look at our world. Albert Einstein’s profound saying (quoted above) sums it up perfectly. In order to resolve the many problems facing mankind we need to move our thinking onto another level.

This is not a political website – I don’t believe lasting solutions are to be found within current politics. Neither is it a religious site. People of all faiths and none, who are open to an honest and sincere dialogue, are welcome.

It’s a philosophical and spiritual site, exploring the beliefs which underpin much of our everyday thinking and feeling. Many of these beliefs are so ingrained that we barely, if ever, stand back and give them a moment’s thought.

For some, the word ‘spiritual’ may prompt an element of unease, in which case my definition of its meaning within this site may help: ‘that core aspect of our being whereby we come to know who we are, in relation to ourselves, those around us, and humanity as a whole; and who we have the potential to become if we nurture the seeds of that potential to enable them to come to full bloom’.

All I ask of you is an open mind, and a genuine respect for the views of others with whom you may feel you disagree. Some of the ideas that will be expressed here may feel quite challenging to begin with. I simply invite you to be willing to live with any discomfort, and ponder at length if there may be some truth to be found in them.

I have no wish to impose my own beliefs, neither do I have any desire for them – or any set of beliefs for that matter – to become institutionalised. I believe it is for everyone to find their own inner truth and live it. I suspect many of us are to a greater or lesser extent living ‘outer’ truths imbibed from parents, authority figures and society.

‘An unexamined life is not worth living’ – Plato

The title of this website – ‘Starting From Here’ – was prompted by the old story about a tourist who was hopelessly lost, and asked a local man for directions. After some head-scratching the local replied “Well sir, if I were you I wouldn’t start from here”.

On the face of it just a charming bit of whimsy! However those few words convey a clear meaning – the hapless tourist has taken many wrong turnings and needs to retrace his steps for some considerable distance before he can start on the right road.

The purpose of this site is to explore the possibility that humanity has built its societies on certain ancient beliefs which have long since ceased to serve its best interests. And that like the tourist, we need to retrace our steps, and examine those beliefs with a view to developing fresh understandings of what it is to live well on this planet.

As I begin writing, there is no overall plan for the development of the site (at least, not that I’m aware of!). It will evolve, chapter by chapter, over time.

Let’s start out with a story . . .