For my weekly writing spot on this site, see the One-Minute Mystic, with a new meditation posted every Monday. Also see The Village, the story of Misty Longings, England's most beautiful village, posted episode by episode earlier this year.       In hard times, the church suggests we turn to prayer. Evidence, however, says we turn first to chocolate; and discover the rat within. Everything's good news for someone. So while the car industry fills the fields of England with unsold cars, and architects twiddle their thumbs waiting for the phone to ring – Cadburys' pre-tax profits are up by 57 per cent. "A moment on the lips; a life time on the hips" may well be true. But Dairy Milk, Creme Egg Twisted and the re-launched Wispa bar are all selling splendidly. Like the Domino Pizza chain, also enjoying boom times, we discover a nation readjusting; staying in more, certainly – but seeking affordable treats when we do. Not that everyone's staying in, as revealed in the profits of the betting chain Ladbrokes. "All of our businesses are showing remarkable resilience," says their Chief Executive Chris Bell. "People still like going to have a few pounds on a bet." Ladbrokes are benefiting from diversifying into new revenue streams such as gambling machines and online gaming. But even without these, bookmakers are widely regarded as being less vulnerable than others, being a "low-ticket" industry – with an average bet of less than £10. It is also an habitual business; it is part of the pattern of people's lives, and patterns are not willingly discarded. And there are other winners too. It's been noticed that online dating applications have increased considerably over the past few months. One US online agency saw three times as many people joining on September 29th 2008 – the day the stock market fell 700 points. One business insider told me that the recession is prompting people to take relationships more seriously, and this could be true. Set against such a view, though, is news from the 118118 directory service. They report a huge upsurge of interest in both pole and lap dancing outlets, escort agencies and sex shops; particularly sex shops, who's increase in trade shames even Cadburys. From beginning to end, our life is a pursuit of solace. We may not always choose wisely or successfully; but our compass never alters its direction. Like a child seeking the affirming eyes of a parent, we get up in the morning and seek things that make us feel better; which soothe our child-like desires. The recession doesn't change this; but does expose it – stripping away the virtuous veneer of suburban civilisation. We are not masters of the universe, but three generations from a return to the caves; neither are we the upstanding and good; but rats in a fire, scuttling for safety, cover and food. Of course, the 14th century was infinitely worse. Famine, plague and war shattered countless human lives. Yet amidst it, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing wrote this: "Therefore swink and sweat in all thou canst and may'st, to get thyself a true knowing and feeling of thyself as thou art." After due swink and sweat, recession reminds me just how much of my spirituality I share with the rat. More writings © Simon Parke