Ramblings of a Mad Outlaw

About the Book

If you have ever asked questions like “What is reality? What do we actually know for sure? What is the truth? What is life?”(other than just the name of a magazine that was published for many years), then these ramblings will be of interest. These ramblings offer a unique personal view of human life that engages the reader in an eclectic mix of four diverse points of view. Using a stream of consciousness-type style, the author draws on his reflection about his need for human connection; his passion for the creative arts, including music, literature, and painting; his understanding of human physiology, mental health, philosophy, science, and Buddhist thinking; and his experiences with sailing, individual competitive sports, and coaching. The work is divided into two sections. The first simply leads the reader through a labyrinth of symbols, facts, and perceptions that led to an essential beginning and end, where “all is one and one is all.” The second section offers some strategies for developing self-awareness and experiencing life differently. The object of the exercise of reading, thinking, reflecting, and possibly making notes to become more connected by being disconnected, by being the same but different, and by fitting by not fitting.

About the Author

Batch, who has lived on the sea for many years, has had a (fairly) long and varied life. He has been described as nearly old. His interests and passions, over the years, have remained fairly eclectic. Academically, he studied literature, philosophy, Buddhism, science, statistics as well as physical and mental health. And, over a period of many years he developed and refined a comprehensive model that integrates eleven different human health and well being perspectives. It offers a dynamic, etiological structure for analysing and treating complex pain and mental health disorders. In his non academic life has found fulfillment in his personal study and enjoyment of classical music, the visual and performing arts, old world wines, and books that span a wide range of topics from mathematics and the sciences to nineteenth century and contemporary literature. To supplement the above more sedentary interests, his life has always including sailing, not just in protected coastal waters, but also in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean. And just for something completely different, his life has also included ski racing and ski coaching in his younger years; and, still includes sailing and skiing, but also downhill mountain biking, road cycling and car racing. As the reader will see, these ramblings offer a compilation of all his interests and passions.