I have often said that my purpose in life is to seek out beauty. What could be a more important and fulfilling pursuit? It is beauty, after all, upon which, I would argue, all our notions of “goodness” are built. Or, somewhat less verbosely: goodness and beauty may share the same underlying shimmers of consciousness. Beauty is the foundation not only of aesthetic realism, but of moral truth. It is fundamental to love, compassion, empathy and our desire for purity. And we seek it in...

Those of you who have visited the centre will have met Haideé. Haideé was the matriarch of the centre. Our lead healing dog. She was as kind and gentle as she was empathetic. You would find her trotting, with her long, scruffy golden hair bouncing, by a guest’s side when they ventured on a walk, or nestling her head on the lap of anyone who cried or seemed lonely. And when we were in the shala, she would patiently lie by the kitchen door for us to exit, and when we did, she would greet us...

Two epics, two archers — one strings his bow, one lays it down. Both are trying to get home. Neither is a straight arrow. "Tell me of a complicated man." — The Odyssey Recently, I watched Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. There were moments when I was watching the epic tale where I found myself on the brink of crying. But the tears never came. There were numerous times when the film touched on the fragility of being human and the perpetual sorrow that a long life brings. There were moments...