The widespread extent of suffering in the world both bewilders and makes us indignant, especially if we feel there is a basic goodness to life. If you see yourself as someone who is more spiritual than religious then this ebook is written for you. It introduces the perspective of Swedenborgian spirituality on this complex matter. Is life futile or can any meaning to suffering be discovered. What are its causes? And if there is a divine power of love and light behind the universe why does it not stop all the pain and loss?

Stephen Russell-Lacy has tried to combine three things in his working life. First there is his profession of clinical psychology. He worked for over thirty years as a psychotherapist with people experiencing emotional distress and training others in this activity. Second is his study of the fields of transpersonal psychology and the psychology of religion. And third is his involvement in teaching of the spiritual philosophy of Emanual Swedenborg. He currently runs day workshops covering psychospiritual matters and is a tutor and course writer at the Swedenborg Open Learning Centre, Manchester, UK.