Each human discovers who she or he is in an ongoing series of revelations. Humans often have the illusion of inventing themselves from nothing.

They often claim to be the authors of their own destiny, but they spend most of their time as passengers in an ancient vehicle on a journey that they have difficulty comprehending.

As humans journey through life, they continue to discover who they are and what it means. If they have choices in the direction of their journey, reasonable decisions are achieved by diligent effort, learning and practice.

The process of individuation depends on the opportunities provided by the local environment and by practicing innate abilities and following innate tendencies.

The journey through life is expressed and understood by telling stories.

Human stories have inner and outer forms. The inner story teller is an almost continuous narrative process in the mind. This private monologue can be referred to as self-talk.

Manifest stories are the daily conversations that dominate human social life. If you had to choose one feature of humans that separate them from all other animals it would be story-telling.

Humans sometimes feel that they are alien creatures, not from earth and not connected to their fellow primates. Many have confided in me, as if it were a closely guarded secret, that they do not belong here. This deep feeling of alienation probably haunts the lives of most humans, even when they are busy living successful lives.

The aspiration to live a happy, productive life is common.

Happiness is not a discrete state, nor a sustainable state, but humans have a general idea about happiness as they do about beauty, justice and goodness.

To enjoy life humans need to feel appreciated, safe and secure.

Basic happiness is achieved by winning the approval of the local group and gaining entitlement to whatever safety and security the local group can achieve.

The most enduring happiness is achieved by becoming a good person who enjoys the world as it is and by doing no harm.

Each human has a strong sense of voluntary control over his or her actions.

There is prevailing sense that I am the center the center of the universe and what I believe to be true is true always and forever.