Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Atheist, we’re all capable of experiencing peak moments – epiphanies of peace, calm, interconnectedness and unity, writes Hannah Orchard. What’s surprising is that they often feel more real than real life.

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A new book by psychologist Todd Kashdan claims that having a curious mind  leads, ultimately, to greater fulfilment than the pursuit of pleasure.

Oliver Burkeman investigates

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Diane Southam finds Santa in Turkey.

It was the middle of August. Exhausted, we’d been driving for hours in sweltering heat along the Turquoise coast in Turkey, trying to find an inn for the night that hadn’t been requisitioned by package holiday companies.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, wherever we looked, from telegraph poles to billboards, there were posters of a grinning Father Christmas in traditional Santa garb. Seeing Santa in the summer in a Muslim country was confusing to say the least.

Are they really magical epiphanies or do they emerge from hours of thought and study? 'Aha moments' reassessed.

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