Mind Space

Khalid Sohail

Being a student of human psychology and a practicing psychotherapist in Canada for more than twenty years I have been fascinated with the mysteries of the human mind that has remained an enigma for lay people as well as mental health professionals for centuries. In my columns I will explore the grey areas between normal and abnormal lifestyles and the challenges non-traditional people face when they interact with traditional families and conservative communities. It is intriguing to see how creative personalities experience breakdowns when they explore their spirituality and sexuality and how those breakdowns transform into breakthroughs, as they grow older and wiser.

I will explore how people deal with their inner and outer dilemmas, resolve their emotional and social conflicts and learn the art of growing alone and growing together. I hope these columns will help the readers in their journey to self-discovery and awareness of the bright as well as the dark sides of human personalities.

Column Articles

The Psychology of Mothering Apr 13, 2008

It is interesting that as our culture is changing and many women are reluctant to take on motherly duties, more men are becoming motherly and nurturing.

Men's Liberation...Better Late Than Never Feb 1, 2008

It is ironic that those men who become caring towards their wives are sometimes called sissy, wimp and 'zan mureed'

Psychology of Men's Honour and Women's Sexuality Jan 3, 2008

When Eastern women become financially and emotionally independent their husbands start losing control and become abusive and violent

Fundamentalism and Violence Dec 10, 2007

Human beings are conditioned by their families and communities and violent cultures produce violent people.

The Price of Loving Karl Marx Nov 1, 2007

Spouses have to offer financial, economic and social sacrifices to maintain a marital relationship with creative personalities. Karl Marx was no exception.

Alcohol Use and Abuse Oct 3, 2007

Knowledge about alcohol use and abuse allows people to make responsible choices rather than hiding the problem or relying on traditional myths that are hundreds of years old.

Sex Education For the Next Generation Sep 7, 2007

Sex education based on science, medicine and human psychology rather than cultural and religious superstitions help make rational and responsible choices in life.

Seven Causes of Human Suffering Jul 24, 2007

Rather than committing collective suicide and perishing as a species, I hope we grow to the next stage of human evolution and create a secular, humanistic and peaceful world.

Encounters With Depression Jun 7, 2007

Depression, like love, is probably one of the most misunderstood words of English language. It has been a mystery for lay people and professionals as it means different things to different people.

Reflections on the Virginia Tech School Tragedy Apr 25, 2007

In this land of eminent scientists, avant-garde artists and Oscar award winning actors and directors, we also see the worst serial killers and mass murderers. For some their dreams come true and for others they turn into violent nightmares.

God is a Metaphor Apr 8, 2007

Psychologists are well aware that symbolic and metaphorical thinking develops only when the human mind reaches a certain level of mental maturity.

The Role of Mystics, Artists and Scientists in Human Evolution Mar 4, 2007

Creative people have been in a minority but they have lead the majority on the path of human evolution.

Psychology of Guerrilla War Feb 8, 2007

Ironically, twentieth century that started with guerrilla warriors, followers of Lenin, promoting Communism, ended with Muslim guerrilla warriors, followers of Osama, attacking Communism

From Tribalism to Humanism Jan 9, 2007

Even in the 21st century many human beings still have a tribal mentality---all that has changed is the definition of the tribe and the nature of tribal war.

A Humanistic Approach Towards Mental Illness Dec 8, 2006

We need to see a day when people with mental illness can live respectfully and peacefully and do not fear to be persecuted and penalized because of their emotional problems.

Are Artists Really Mad? Nov 9, 2006

Creative people are are more at risk to suffer from mental illness than general population as creativity and insanity are genetically transmitted in the same families.

Dilemmas of Creative Children Oct 18, 2006

Creative children prefer to follow the trails of their hearts rather than the highway of tradition. If their efforts are supported then their trails become the highways of the next generation

Serial Killers...The Dark Side of Humanity Sep 12, 2006

I discovered the sad reality that the incidence of serial killers and mass murderers has been gradually increasing worldwide in the last few decades. I was further intrigued to find out that America has the highest rate of serial killers per capita.

Psychology of Suicide ’Bombers’ Aug 22, 2006

A ’suicide bomber’ symbolizes a contradiction, vulnerable yet strong. He wants to die and yet also live forever. He is the most rational being in planning his attack and yet acts in the most irrational way by being destructive to himself and o

Science, Psychology and Spirituality Aug 7, 2006

When temporal lobe of right side of the brain is stimulated, human beings have special experiences that are known as ’spiritual experiences’ in religious traditions and literature.

Selling Spirituality Jul 6, 2006

The biggest tragedy is that there is an increasing number of simple, innocent, naive and gullible people who follow these pseudo-mystics and after wasting a lot of time, money and energy realize that they were misguided and mislead.

When Romantic Love Does Not Mature Jun 8, 2006

Since intimate relationships bring out the best and worst in all of us it is important to know what hurdles people have to cross to initiate and maintain healthy and mature romantic relationships

The Dark Side of Love May 18, 2006

Jealousy is a reflection of personal insecurities. Such people have poor self-confidence and self-worth. They do not like themselves and are not proud of what they do. They feel either unattractive physically or uninteresting as people

Taking the Lid off Sexual Fantasies Apr 17, 2006

Over the years, as I listened to my patients’ fantasies, I found that most people behave in a way that is socially acceptable but in their private lives they fantasize about their real wishes and desires, reflecting their true nature

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