Poiesis
Stories and literature
idea
Party-crashing was a serious business in medieval Arabic tales
by Emily Selove
Mindfulness and meditation
idea
Meditation is like mountaineering: approach it with care
by Nicholas Van Dam
Beauty and aesthetics
guide
How to curate (just about) anything
Sure, tidying up is a start. But it won’t get you to the kind of lived-in, personalised space that defines an ideal of home
by Glenn Adamson
Creativity
film
An improvised animation doubles as an absurdly fun lesson in creativity
7 mins
Stories and literature
idea
So far and no further: the philosophy of Samuel Pepys
by Jacky Colliss Harvey
Poetry
idea
The meaning of cowardly dogs and other puzzles of Arabic poetry
by Lara Harb
Stories and literature
guide
How to gain more from your reading
There’s more to words than meets the eye. Deepen your appreciation of literature through the art of slow, attentive reading
by Robert DiYanni
Painting and sculpture
film
Wangechi Mutu’s otherworldly artworks grow from the ground up
15 mins
Spirituality and religion
idea
How an intense spiritual retreat might change your brain
by Andrew Newberg
Music
idea
Bach’s piano music is intimate precision and Homeric epic in one
by Dan Moller
Wonder and the sublime
guide
How to experience more wow
Awe might seem an unobtainable luxury to many but, with the right approach, you can enjoy it daily – no mountain required
by Summer Allen
Creativity
film
Meet the artists who create sounds for movies – and have so much fun doing it
14 mins