Emily Esfahani Smith

This wise, stirring book argues that the search for meaning can immeasurably deepen our lives and is far more fulfilling than the pursuit of personal happiness. There is a myth in our culture that the search for meaning is some esoteric pursuit--that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to figure out life's great secret. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us--right here, right now. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology; on insights from George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, the Buddha, and other great minds; and on interviews with seekers of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith lays out the four pillars upon which meaning rests. Belonging: We all need to find our tribe and forge relationships in which we feel understood, recognized, and valued--to know we matter to others. Purpose: We all need a far-reaching goal that motivates us, serves as the organizing principle of our lives, and drives us to make a contribution to the world. Storytelling: We are all storytellers, taking our disparate experiences and assembling them into a coherent narrative that allows us to make sense of ourselves and the world. Transcendence: During a transcendent or mystical experience, we feel we have risen above the everyday world and are connected to something vast and meaningful. To bring those concepts to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of untimely loss, and more. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture of meaning in our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a richer, more satisfying life.

Crafting a Life That Matters

The Power of Meaning

In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life. Too many of us believe that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit—that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover life’s secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us—right here, right now. To explore how we can craft lives of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives. To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces us to compelling seekers of meaning—from the drug kingpin who finds his purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.

Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness

Bestseller over hoe we niet geluk moeten nastreven, maar betekenis en een zinvol leven. In 'De kracht van betekenis' stelt Emily Esfahani Smith dat we het verkeerde doel hebben nagejaagd. De westerse cultuur is geobsedeerd door geluk. Toch voelen veel mensen zich vervreemd en doelloos, soms zelfs wanhopig. Niet geluk, maar betekenis maakt het leven de moeite waard. Op basis van recent psychologisch onderzoek en inzichten uit de filosofie en de literatuur laat Esfahani aan de hand van vier pijlers zien hoe we een zinvol leven kunnen vormgeven. Ook voerde ze talloze gesprekken met onder anderen een dierenverzorgster, een ex-crimineel en een astronaut, om erachter te komen hoe je zin geeft aan je leven. Esfahani's vier pijlers voor een zinvol leven: 1. Ergens bij horen, of dat nu je familieleden, milieuactivisten of leden van een boekenclub zijn. 2. Een doel dat ons motiveert iets aan de wereld bij te dragen, hoe bescheiden die bijdrage ook is. 3. Een coherent verhaal over je leven kunnen vertellen, waardoor ervaringen samenhang en betekenis krijgen. 4. Transcendentie, gebeurtenissen waardoor je boven het alledaagse uitstijgt, bijvoorbeeld wanneer je naar mooie muziek luistert, naar de sterrenhemel kijkt of een mystieke ervaring hebt.

hoe zin te geven aan je leven

De kracht van betekenis

After a meeting with Pope Pius IX, Oscar Wilde locked himself in his room emerging only after writing a sonnet inspired by and dedicated to the Pope. Hours later, he visited the protestant cemetery where the Romantic poet, John Keats, was buried. Kneeling at his grave, Wilde ostentatiously declared it to be "the holiest place in Rome." Did Oscar Wilde contradict himself? Did he contain multitudes? He did, to understate the matter --- and those complexities were best expressed in his great theatrical works like Lady Windermere's Fan, Salome, and, of course, The Importance of Being Earnest.Setting the playwright in context to his personal life, social, historical and political events, other writers of influence, and more, you will quickly gain a deep understanding of Wilde and the plays he wrote. Read Wilde in an Hour and experience his plays like never before. Know the playwright, love the play!The book features:- Wilde in an Hour, the main essay of the book- Wilde In a Minute, a snapshot chronology- A complete listing of Wilde¿s work- A list of Wilde¿s contemporaries in all fields- Excerpts from Wilde¿s significant works- An extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader- An index of the main essay.Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.Emily Esfahani Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth College, is a journalist and writer in Washington, D.C. Her work on cultural, political, and international affairs has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Weekly Standard, National Review, The American Spectator, and the New Criterion.

Wilde in an Hour

'An intelligent page turner...illuminating...the book mounts a timely challenge' Prospect There is a myth in our culture that to find meaning you have to travel to a distant monastery or wade through dusty volumes to figure out life's great secret. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us: right here, right now. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology; on insights from George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, the Buddha and other great minds, Emily Esfahani Smith identifies four pillars upon which meaning rests: Belonging, Purpose, Storytelling and Transcendence. She also explores how we can begin to build a culture of meaning into our families, our workplaces and our communities. Inspiring and full of contemporary examples, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a richer, more satisfying life.

Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.

Shaw in an Hour

There is a myth in our culture that to find meaning you have to travel to a distant monastery or wade through dusty volumes to figure out life's great secret. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us- right here, right now. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology; on insights from George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, the Buddha and other great minds, Emily Esfahani Smith identifies four pillars upon which meaning rests- Belonging, Purpose, Storytelling and Transcendence. She also explores how we can begin to build a culture of meaning into our families, our workplaces and our communities. Inspiring and full of contemporary examples, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a richer, more satisfying life.

Van geluk naar betekenis

Emily Esfahani Smith este o autoare care, pornind de la psihologie, filosofie și literatura universală, scrie despre experiența umană – de ce suntem în felul în care suntem și cum putem descoperi farmecul și sensul existenței într‑o lume plină de suferință. O parte dintre textele ei au apărut în publicații precum Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Atlantic și Time. În același timp, este cadru didactic, îndrumător de psihologie pozitivă la Universitatea din Pennsylvania și editor al revistei publicate de Hoover Institution a Universității Stanford, unde conduce proiectul Ben Franklin Circles, un experiment prin care oamenii din comunitățile locale sunt ajutați să‑și descopere sensul în viață. Născută la Zürich, Emily Esfahani Smith a crescut în Montréal, Canada. A absolvit Colegiul Dartmouth și a obținut un masterat în psihologie pozitivă aplicată la Universitatea din Pennsylvania. În prezent, locuiește împreună cu soțul său în Washington, D.C. O carte profundă... Subliniind puterea legăturilor sufletești, autoarea îl asigură pe cititor că descoperirea semnificației nu e rezultatul vreunei „mari revelații“, ci mai degrabă al micilor gesturi și acțiunilor modeste. — Kirkus Reviews Trăim într-o epocă obsedată de fericire, pe care însă ne e din ce în ce mai dificil s-o definim, deși o găsim, ca promisiune, aproape pretutindeni. Tot paradoxal este că suntem tot mai deprimați, mai obosiți, mai derutați – suntem mai nefericiți. Mulți dintre noi am uitat că sentimentul de împlinire și cel de mulțumire nu vin atât din faptul de a ne simți bine, ci din cel de a-i face pe ceilalți să se simtă bine, nu din a acumula, ci din a dărui. Emily Esfahani Smith reia acest adevăr fundamental și îl argumentează de-a lungul unui demers în care împletește cele mai recente descoperiri din psihologie, literatură, istorie, științele sociale cu propria experiență, începând din copilărie. Toate acestea, într-un stil accesibil marelui public, incitant, comparabil cu al celor mai talentați povestitori.

Emily Esfahani Smith

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