This is Mind Explorer. My newsletter dedicated to the hard problem of consciousness and the mind, now on The Atmosphere, on my own PDS (Personal Data Server). I began Mind Explorer on Substack, but I've moved it to the Offprint platform for reasons I wrote about on my personal blog here.

My intention with this newsletter is to write on the mind from the perspectives of theology, philosophy, physics, psychology, and neuroscience. Writing fiction is also helping me tackle the hard problem of consciousness. Science or speculative fiction frees one to think beyond known science to contemplate the "what if?"

Speaking of which, since at the end of 2026 I'm launching the last novel of The Q'Zam'Ta Trilogy, a telling of Revelation based on science, philosophy, neuroscience, and physics, set in the afterlife and far future Toronto, I will begin Mind Explorer on The Atmosphere with my readings and thoughts on N.T. Wright’s study on Revelation.

The Last Book in the Bible

I’ve always wanted to understand Revelation, the last book in the Bible; an opportunity to do so through a great teacher presented itself two decades ago. Unfortunately, my brain injury laughed at such an absurd idea, having killed off my ability to read and retain anything then. Now, it’s possible.

Being a person living with brain injury, my fatigue sometimes smashes my intention into smithereens and grins at its scattered remains. But I’ve learnt better how to shrink my intentions so they avoid fatigue noticing them. I don’t always succeed, but I do get back up.

My desire to write again after the car crash that injured me — and specifically to write the biography Lifeliner, about the first person in the world to live without eating, and then novels — drove my search for brain injury healing that actually healed neurons, not simply inspired one to live a diminished life. Who wants a diminished life FFS?!

In the last few years, a trilogy introduced itself to my mind. It enticed me to write the first book as a way to enter the realm of the mind from a different perspective than the Oxford Short Course Philosophy of Mind (more on that later). And that’s why I want to study Revelation. After that, we’ll see in what order I republish my posts from my Substack Mind Explorer newsletter. It could be to philosophy or Zoroastrianism or maybe some neuroscience.

And now without further ado, let's prepare to read N.T. Wright’s book Revelation for Everyone (borrowed from the library) and work our way through his companion study guide. But first hit that Subscribe now button below so that you don't miss a single post! Subscribe via your Atmosphere account or email. Your choice!

Prepare for Revelation

N.T. Wright, an Anglican Bishop in the UK, wrote a thoughtful book on Revelation. Territorial rights — the bane of writers and their readers when trying to snag a copy — made it difficult for me to get my library to stock the ebook. Many emails later, I succeeded! But in trying to purchase the paperback so that I could dive back in at my leisure, I ended up with the companion study guide landing in my hands.

All to the good.

For it gave me an idea of writing on Revelation, a theological perspective into the mind, by answering questions from Wright's guide.

What You Need

To follow along, I recommend purchasing either the paperback or ebook Revelation for Everyone by N.T. Wright and the companion study guide.

A New Version

N.T. Wright and his publisher issued a 20th anniversary edition of Revelation for Everyone. Wright translates the passages himself in the original and updated his translations for this version. The anniversary edition, published in September 2023, includes the study guide. But I'm not a fan of it. It feels like the publisher condensed it too much for no good reason.

Which Bible?

Many translations exist for the Bible. The King James version is the most famous and has beautiful language, but Revelation is hard enough to wade through without the added difficulty of some mis-translations and 16th century English. You can rely on Wright's translations in Revelation for Everyone, or use several translations to aid comprehension.

I use a Bible app, online Blue Letter Bible with its concordances, and the Harper Collins New Revised Standard Version Study Bible. I particularly like the Blue Letter Bible because you get information on gender and the full list of possible meanings of a particular word. Translators have too often defaulted to the masculine when, in fact, a word may've been neutral. This changes the meaning and thus interpretations of those passages.

Get Ready!

When energy allows, I’ll post on Wright's introduction to Revelation. Even if I start before you have a chance to purchase the books, you’ll be able to read along on the Blue Letter Bible site or borrow a Bible from your library. The most basic thing you need is the book of Revelation in the Bible!

Meanwhile…

Why not purchase my award-winning first novel, The Soul's Awakening, of The Q'Zam'Ta Trilogy? Contrast the bible study with how I interpret Revelation through my protagonist as she enters the afterlife and begins her Soul Track towards Resurrection.

Copyright ©2023, 2026 Shireen Anne Jeejeebhoy. May not be reprinted or reposted without permission. Originally published on 5 and 6 July 2023.