John Purkiss

Like many people, I grew up with the idea that, if you're intelligent and hardworking, you'll have a great life. I studied economics at Cambridge university, worked in banking and management consultancy, and won first prize at business school (INSEAD). Then, at the age of 26, I felt completely stuck and was diagnosed with clinical depression. Looking back, being suicidally depressed was a blessing. It showed me that I could only get so far in life by thinking and taking action. A few years later I was working and living in Paris, which had ground to a halt due to strikes on the Metro. Having very little to do - and almost no money left - I read a novel which showed me how to meditate. This enabled me to stop thinking all the time. Instead, I was increasingly conscious of my thoughts. I also let go and asked to be guided. Within a few months I was back in London, doing a job I really enjoyed and achieving my financial goals with ease. Sometime later, I learned Transcendental Meditation. This gave me daily experience of pure consciousness - I was conscious with no thoughts. I began 'downloading' books, the third of which is 'The Power of Letting Go'. It's sold hundreds of thousands of copies in English and Spanish, and is also available in Arabic, Chinese and Hindi. In January 2026, Octopus Books will publish 'The Power of Moving On'. You can read about it and pre-order your copy on Amazon now.