Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

Journal Entry April 7th 2021
Im writing this as my first blog. I feel like most people can relate in some way. We're all human and we all have our ups and downs. There isn't much context, but if you read this I hope it helps you in some way.
By Jack Schott5 years ago in Psyche
Morning Monster
Waking up was a rough patch this morning, I felt a pressure on my body that I was starting to get used to. It was like the gods were wanting me to show how angry I could get today. Though thus far I have illuded the idea of anger, but at the same time, I want to give into it. There has been little feel that I could ever change the way that I want to.
By William L. Truax III5 years ago in Psyche
Ayahuasca
This can be the experience of a lifetime, but it could turn into a disaster in split seconds. Ayahuasca, mainly found in the Amazon is a psychedelic plant and once used by Indigenous people in the Amazon tribes as part of religious ceremonies. The purpose of this was to align themselves with the element of Earth. Those who are curious and strong enough to venture themselves in the Amazon are blessed with its benefits and returned with a different perspective of life.
By sheena seegoolam 5 years ago in Psyche
Priming in the Zen and Now
This sounds a bit crazy. After all, who would think of the Rolling Stones as music to meditate to, but I did. I laugh when I look back and think about it. I was probably around the age of 20. The Tattoo You album was released in 1981, so, loving the Rolling Stones, I raced out to get it. Mick, his satin trousers, and bold stage presence, strutting his stuff and Keith, the renegade hippie with a wicked smile and blazing guitar technique were the matrix of the band to me.
By jacki fleet5 years ago in Psyche
Growing from Grieving 101: A Zen Transformation
It’s sunny and 66 outside. My skin is hot and cold all at once. I can feel the anxiety coming on, and I don’t know what to do. If it hits me full force, it’ll paralyze me, and I have so much to do. So much to do. So much to do. I cradle my legs on my bed, feeling suffocated.
By Greta Luns5 years ago in Psyche
Resilience
As she waited for her date, Sloan fidgeted with everything on which she could lay her hands: the flatware, the wine glass, the napkin, the small vase of flowers, and the small candle. She rearranged them all. When she’d exhausted touching all the items on the table, she turned to her lap and proceeded to smooth her dress and pick the small pieces of lint from it. Her mind raced with so many thoughts. Multiple questions circled repeatedly despite her attempts to halt them.
By Cindy Calder5 years ago in Psyche
A Pandemic Story
Sitting in a smoke-filled biker bar, alone in a corner, I have my eyes closed in an attempt to zone out and let my mind wander away from the current space. Thoughts bounce in and out until I am suddenly jerked back to the present by someone pulling my mask down to my chin. My senses focus with the boisterous chatter and music spilling out of the jukebox speakers. A leathery woman with dyed black hair stands inches from me and in a quasi-flirtatious drunk stammer asks “what’s wrong, you scared of the air?” I yank my mask back up over the bridge of my nose and turn my face and simply say “no.” The woman glances over her shoulder making direct eye contact with the friend who brought me to this place. The friend smirks back. The two have obviously become quick acquaintances over drags of cigarettes and shots of the bar’s special syrupy sweet green tea concoction.
By Ro Anya5 years ago in Psyche
The Day I Moved To NYC
What happens when what is supposed to be the best day of your life, is ruined by the fear that you can not seem to control?
By Alicia Lenea5 years ago in Psyche
Organized Chaos
The term Zen is derived from the word chán, an abbreviation of chánnà, which is a Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit word of dhyãna which means meditation. To meditate by definition to withdraw the mind from the automatic responses to sense-impressions, and leading to a state of perfect equanimity and awareness or Nirvana.
By Patrice Swoope5 years ago in Psyche
Easy Does It
I’m an old guy. Turned 79 a week ago. I don’t play music while I go through my morning regimen of stretches and leg lifts the rheumatologist gave me to combat brucites and arthritis. Maybe I should. I do ask Alexa to play ambient music at night in hope that I’ll more quickly receive a visit from my fickle friend Morpheus, but it doesn’t always work.
By David Vaughn5 years ago in Psyche
The Soundtrack for my Dissociation
I once realised that I wanted a soundtrack that could join me whether I was staring at the sunset or huddled in a dark corner of my room, dissociating. There’s certain moments in life when you don’t really want to feel anything. You don’t want to think, you don’t want to even be aware of where or what you are. As a student, you get a lot of those moments. So back when I was a student, I started building a playlist for those exact moments, that grew to encompass much more.
By Mr.Ade5 years ago in Psyche
Treading Water
"I feel nothing over there," I thought to myself. I was startled awake by that thought and unaware of the horror I was going to feel later after realising my subconscious knew what had happened… and the fact I dismissed it as anxiety and went back to sleep.
By Neriphina5 years ago in Psyche