An editor’s monthly gathering of stories to read, share, and remember – Episode #3
Curator’s Note: Liauw Pauw Phing, a writer and editor, introduces the July 2026 edition of the Monthly Collection on ILLUMINATION Integrated publications. This platform highlights resonant stories across various genres, focusing on authenticity, human connection, and intellectual depth. The curated pieces, drawn from a range of publications, aim to engage readers and honor writers without declaring winners or rankings. The community supports over 43,000 writers and encourages new voices while maintaining high editorial standards. The post also expresses gratitude to key contributors, outlines submission guidelines for new writers, and introduces the purpose of the ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics publication.
To Potential Contributors of ILLUMINATION Publications: Please note that new writer applications to our publications are via our registration portal. Please review our quality checklists and the onboarding pack before submitting your stories to our publications. You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack. Accepted writers for this round will be towards the end of this story.
Hello, dear writers and attentive readers,
This is Liauw Pauw Phing, a writer, book author, editor, and curator of ILLUMINATION Integrated publications on Medium, Substack, Patreon, and Digitalmehmet platforms. I hope this post finds you well.
Welcome to my June 2026 edition of Monthly Collection.
For new members who don’t know me, I am part of the editorial team for the seven ILLUMINATION publications listed below. As I begin this curatorial journey, I would like this collection to serve as a space for highlighting selected pieces from across those publications, pieces that have continued to resonate with me as a reader and editor.
These selections are not meant to declare winners, compare writers, or grant official recognition. They are simply my way of giving attention to writing that deserves care, appreciation, and gratitude.
Through this monthly collection, I hope to introduce readers to stories that moved me, challenged me, or quietly remained in my mind. I am especially drawn to pieces shaped by honesty, substance, and a generous sense of human connection.
Some may engage with philosophy. Others may move through literature, reflection, science, spirituality, culture, psychology, or personal experience. What matters most to me is writing that feels alive on the page, whatever field or form it belongs to.
I also share these collections on Medium.com. If you are a writer or reader, please feel free to use this version and engage there:
Selected Stories Across These Publications
Now, let us turn to the stories.
Read stories from ILLUMINATION on Medium
Dr Mehmet Yildiz
https://medium.com/illumination/preface-neurocomputing-and-neural-architectures-dcb2b849858a
Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc
https://medium.com/illumination/is-ai-heading-for-its-uber-moment-db646d6d1e3c
Gary L. Fretwell
https://medium.com/illumination/the-chair-was-never-empty-4fa6f82f3a13
https://medium.com/illumination/your-bad-day-isnt-a-symptom-0085c4b58f48
Stephanie Shen
https://medium.com/illumination/what-makes-us-human-a6ac186b2b64
Mark Sanford, Ph. D.
https://medium.com/illumination/the-art-of-losing-without-losing-yourself-cefa99cb7c2a
Bill Abbate
https://medium.com/illumination/the-philosophers-secret-8d37eb21411c
Magmastar
https://medium.com/illumination/where-time-stands-still-80e29f572fe4
Bertrand Liang, MD PhD MBA
https://medium.com/illumination/the-doctor-in-the-family-a34d351fe645
Elizabeth Woods
https://medium.com/illumination/the-loneliness-that-wraps-around-trauma-f28eb346ba1a
Dr Bronce Rice
https://medium.com/illumination/on-the-inner-work-of-becoming-oneself-19213e7d3818
Ugur Karamuti
Mary Fiore
https://medium.com/illumination/the-town-information-network-73f21100f8ec
S. M. ARIF
https://medium.com/illumination/the-value-of-doing-ordinary-things-exceptionally-well-0988972e8af7
Sofia K
https://medium.com/illumination/it-was-just-a-joke-is-how-contempt-entered-my-kitchen-cc677bbdb1d0
E. Darling
Hamid Akhtar
https://medium.com/illumination/unmasking-the-mind-machine-2a1c39cc132e
Isaac Liang
https://medium.com/illumination/what-the-organization-is-actually-ready-for-d991c79256cb
https://medium.com/illumination/the-mandate-that-shrinks-after-the-hire-4c80b1d8bc4e
Read stories from ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics on Medium.
Amy Gunter, Ed.D., MSW
Nazli Aydin (Misselbereth)
Dr. Bekim Belica
Abel
Marcus Viveiro
Javier Alejandro Romero Castillo
Read stories from ILLUMINATION Scholar on Medium.
Dr. Khalid Rahman
Nazli Aydin (Misselbereth)
Read stories from Curated Newsletters on Medium.
Dr Mehmet Yildiz
https://medium.com/illumination-curated/preface-the-life-matrix-keeps-the-score-6717a2136d5d
Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc
Gary L. Fretwell
https://medium.com/illumination-curated/i-did-everything-right-my-anxiety-got-worse-54994f1cd4eb
Lawson Wallace
Laadi Ojas
Derek Hughes
Prasanna Swaroopa
Pradip
https://medium.com/illumination-curated/your-mindset-shapes-your-future-bf035a7ec022
Frank Ontario 🦋🕊️🌍
https://medium.com/illumination-curated/memory-a-second-third-take-87b7252c0a09
Peace Beyond Thought
Libby Shively McAvoy
https://medium.com/illumination-curated/the-fastest-way-to-lose-someones-trust-a176b67fbb8f
Read stories from SYNERGY on Medium.
Dr Mehmet Yildiz
https://medium.com/technical-excellence/loneliness-is-in-the-mind-533588b2498a
Gary L. Fretwell
Read stories from ILLUMINATION Local News and Documentary on Medium.
Sakina Sultan articles
Dr. Janine Bouey
https://medium.com/illumination-local-news-and-documentary/the-face-scan-at-the-door-552f4420d6b5
Read stories from ILLUMINATION Book Chapters on Medium.
More Curated Collections by Fellow Editors
You may also enjoy reading the latest collections curated by other editors in the ILLUMINATION community.
Read stories on the list “Insightful & Illuminating Stories I Enjoyed Reading“ by Dr Mehmet Yildiz on Medium. Dr Yildiz has a massive list of 14611 stories, which keeps growing. Here is the link to it.
Read “Mike’s Favorite Stories” by Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc on Medium:
https://medium.com/@healthierlifestyle/list/reading-list
Read “Look What Aiden Found Today: Episode #351“ by Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming) on Medium:
https://medium.com/illumination/look-what-aiden-found-today-episode-351-b616478707f1
Read “Gary’s Curated List for June: Episode #1” by Gary L. Fretwell
https://medium.com/illumination/garys-curated-list-for-june-episode-1-509a8396f73e
https://medium.com/illumination/editors-picks-brooklyn-muse-707fcdd2e5c6
For Potential Contributors
ILLUMINATION now supports more than 43,000 writers with only 30 volunteer editors. Medium’s current editor limit prevents us from formally adding more editors, despite our wider group of 209 volunteers. ILLUMINATION is followed by more than 322,000 readers, and we continue to support writers who write with honesty, care, and clarity.
New writers may apply to ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications through our writer registration portal by submitting Medium ID.
Writers interested in ILLUMINATION Scholar may use the dedicated Scholar registration portal.
Before submitting your stories, please review our quality checklists and Master Copy for 2026: Onboarding Information for New Writers of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications by Dr Mehmet Yildiz. You are also welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack.
You may also discover new writers joining our publications through the ILLUMINATION account. The latest onboarding pack, prepared by Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming), offers clear guidance for writers who have recently joined our community.
Onboarding New Writers Joining ILLUMINATION Publications Today: #217
Publications in the ILLUMINATION Ecosystem
Writers are welcome to choose the publication that best fits their topic and intended audience.
ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, Technology Hits, SYNERGY, Readers Hope, ILLUMINATION on YouTube, ILLUMINATION Gaming, ILLUMINATION Health & Science, Integrated Healthcare, Magnetic Newsletter Pro, Substack Mastery Boost, From Zero to Substack Hero, ILLUMINATION’s Blog, EUPHORIA by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, ILLUMINATION Scholar, ILLUMINATION Local News and Documentary, ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics, ILLUMINATION Retirement, Aging, and Legacy, ILLUMINATION Beyond Identity, ILLUMINATION for India, and ILLUMINATION Travel, Food, Culture.
Updated Submission Guidelines for Major Publications
Please review the relevant guidelines before submitting your drafts. They contain information about scope, quality expectations, editorial standards, and publication fit.
ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, ILLUMINATION”S MIRROR, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, Technology Hits, SYNERGY ILLUMINATION Health & Science, Readers Hope, ILLUMINATION Gaming, ILLUMINATION on YouTube, Magnetic Newsletter Pro, Substack Mastery Boost, ILLUMINATION Scholar, ILLUMINATION Local News and Documentary, ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics, ILLUMINATION Retirement, Ageing, and Legacy, ILLUMINATION Beyond Identity, ILLUMINATION for India, and ILLUMINATION Travel, Food, Culture.
A Note to New Writers
Much of my editorial work has focused on helping new writers get published. Many of them do not yet have a large following, and I understand how difficult that can be. Lately, I have seen quite a few new writers whose work is strong and still awaits publication.
Usually, writers who are already well known and have a larger following tend to be published more quickly. At the same time, I do not want to publish carelessly, especially when a topic lies outside my area of understanding.
For this reason, I try to read each piece on its own terms, with care for both the writer and the reader. A good publication does justice to emerging voices and to readers’ trust, in equal measure. Editorial care means placing each story where it can meet the right reader, not simply accepting it.
I hope this collection brings thoughtful writers and attentive readers into the same conversation.
A Brief Note on My Publication
ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics is devoted to philosophy, metaphysics, spirituality, mindfulness, psychology, ethics, consciousness, and the enduring questions of human life.
I introduced the purpose of this publication in ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics: An Introduction by the Owner, where I described it as a house for unfinished questions.
I see this publication as a space for rigorous, humane inquiry. It welcomes writing that respects both clarity and mystery, evidence and inwardness, disciplined thought and the subtle textures of lived experience.
For writers who wish to contribute, please read the initial submission guidance prepared by Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc: ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics: Initial Submission Guidelines.
I am grateful to Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc for preparing this helpful guide with precision and editorial care.
Gratitude
I wish to express my gratitude to Dr Mehmet Yildiz, the founder of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications, for establishing ILLUMINATION in 2020 and guiding this writing and reading community with steady leadership.
My thanks also go to Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming), whose work as an editor, curator, media coordinator, and community supporter strengthens the ILLUMINATION ecosystem across Medium and Substack.
I am also grateful to Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc, who prepared the initial guidelines for ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics and supported this new branch of our community.
I was glad to have my editorial background presented more fully in Editorial Bio of Liauw Pauw Phing: A Cross Disciplinary Synthesis, and I am also grateful for the thoughtful conversation with Dr Mehmet Yildiz in Insightful Conversations with Liauw Pauw Phing. These two pieces offer further context about my background, writing, editorial work, and intellectual development.
About Me
I am Liauw Pauw Phing , an Indonesian writer, poet, philosopher, editor, and astacologist. My work moves across poetry, philosophy, metaphysics, spirituality, science, consciousness, language, and the inner architecture of human experience.
As a writer, I am drawn to the threshold between silence and thought, and between inward life and disciplined inquiry. I believe literature and philosophy can help us become more attentive to existence, responsibility, suffering, beauty, and the fragile meanings that shape human life.
As the owner and editor of ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics, I hope to support writers whose work carries depth, sincerity, intellectual care, and genuine concern for readers.
Thank you for reading this collection. I hope these stories offer you something worth returning to.
About the book
With deep gratitude, I wish to thank Dr Mehmet Yildiz for his generous editorial guidance, his discerning eye, and the intellectual care he has given this work.
Here is the editorial review of the book by Dr Yildiz:
The Cartography of Unbecoming
Why I Edited a Philosophical, Metaphysical, and Spiritual Book medium.com
I am equally indebted to Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc, for the generosity with which he wrote the foreword. I linked his foreword too:
Foreword to “The Cartography of Unbecoming” by Liauw Pauw Phing
Why a Retired Scientist Has an Interest in a Philosophical and Metaphysical Bookmedium.com
Their trust, encouragement, and contributions have shaped this book far beyond anything I could have achieved alone.
I am pleased that the book has been published and is available in several book stores. Here is the official page.
This book is now available for preorders and will be released on 30 April 2026. The early access digital and audio formats are available via Google Books and Google Play. Here is the landing page, which will include digital, paperback, hardcover, and audio links.
ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics
ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics
A publication devoted to philosophy, metaphysics, ethics, consciousness, cognition, psychology, mindfulness…medium.com
Introduction
ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics: An Introduction by the Owner
This publication is devoted to philosophy, metaphysics, spirituality, mindfulness, psychology, ethics, consciousness…medium.com
Submission Guidelines by Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc
ILLUMINATION Philosophy and Metaphysics: Initial Submission Guidelines
Welcome to a new publication within the ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications ecosystemmedium.com
Here is some information about my background and editorial profile.
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