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

Human Psyche...Soul or Mind? Oct 13, 2009

Since human body was mortal human beings believed in immortal soul and connected that belief with the belief of immortal and eternal God. In the last few centuries there has been a third model that is becoming more popular in the world. It is the secular

Secular Spirituality Sep 10, 2009

I have read the descriptions of spiritual experiences in the religious and holy books but this is the first time I read a biological, neurological and secular description of spirituality (Dr Jill Taylorâ€™s book, My Stroke of Insight)

Pakistan Crisis - Seven Problem, Seven Solutions Aug 7, 2009

Pakistan is experiencing a major existential crisis. But crises are mixed blessings which can lead to regression or progression. They can cause a breakdown or become a fertile ground for a breakthrough.

When You Love More Than One Jul 3, 2009

Since human sexuality is intimately connected with social morality, such relationships are judged on moral grounds rather than understood on psychological basis.

Seven Reasons to Kill Jun 9, 2009

It is ironic that in the contemporary world, leaders of religious, spiritual and secular traditions claim that their ideologies and philosophies promote peace, but we see their followers continue to kill each other.

When Faiz was Imprisoned May 11, 2009

His sense of guilt as a father, husband and son even made him question the moral basis of his idealistic lifestyle. In one of his letters he wonders whether idealism is one form of selfishness.

Mandela and His Women Mar 26, 2009

Mandelaâ€™s life story highlights the dilemmas and dreams of a revolutionary and a profile of a successful guerrilla warrior.

Guerrilla Warriors...Freedom Fighters or Terrorists? Mar 10, 2009

Are they motivated by love or hate? Do they promote peace or violence? Are their leaders progressive or regressive? Do they take their communities to a higher or a lower level of human evolution?

Humanity at a Crossroads Feb 2, 2009

Humanity is passing through an adolescent phase as is at a crossroads. All of us have to make certain choices. We can choose the path of collective suicide or the path of peace and harmony.

Abused Husbands Jan 14, 2009

Since abuse in many men is far more emotional than physical or sexual, they generally do not come to the attention of police and mental health professionals.

Sexless and Loveless Marriages Nov 25, 2008

Many people are surprised how the same routine life that provides stability and security starts to kill creativity, spontaneity and love. When monogamy turns in monotony.

The Psyche of Al-Qaeda Nov 4, 2008

To have a better understanding of the psyche of Al-Qaeda we need to understand the ideology, personality and political strategy of the organizationâ€™s leaders as well as the followers.

Reforming Religious Fundamentalists Oct 2, 2008

What would you do with religious fundamentalists, especially those who adopt militant practices, have violent consciousness, and have become involved in armed struggle...

Muslim Psyche After September 11, 2001 Sep 10, 2008

When we reflect upon the reactions of Muslims from different parts of the world we see certain tendencies emerging in the last few years.

Olympic Dreamers Aug 11, 2008

A famous American novelist Henry Miller once wrote, â€œHumans work while gods playâ€?. But there are some humans who like to become gods as they love to play all their lives.

Freud and Jung and Their Secret Affairs Jun 17, 2008

Of all of Freudâ€™s admirers and critics, the most complex, complicated and troubled relationship was of Carl Jung. He started as an admirer and ended as a critic.

Saqi Farooqi ... A Rebellious Poet May 14, 2008

He likes to be in the centre of controversy and to achieve that he challenges every literary, social, religious, moral and sexual taboo that he comes across.

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 28, 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 8, 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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