Danyl McLaughlan Photo: Supplied / Russell Kleyn
Protein scientist and writer Danyl McLauchlan is following his two 'esoteric cult' novels Unspeakable Secrets of the Aro Valley and Mysterious Mysteries of the Aro Valley with a collection of essays.
Tranquillity and Ruin sees him in pursuit of contentment, exploring "ideas and paths that he hopes will make him freer and happier - or, at least, less trapped, less medicated and less depressed".
The quest takes him to a monastery to meditate, sees him joining a group of effective altruists as they try to figure out how to do most good in the world, and shoveling clay with a Buddhist monk.
