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On Demand

Positive Psychology

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Can you learn to be happy? Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar says yes. In Happier, Dr. Ben-Shahar argues that happiness isn’t as elusive as most people think. He says that all we need is some keen self-awareness and purposeful action to uncover the key to happiness.

Happier is available for purchase at amazon.com


Comments

  • [1] Owen from Grand Central August 14, 2007 - 12:05PM

    I think happiness is a decision. I choose to be happy.


  • [2] hjs from 11211 August 14, 2007 - 12:16PM

    some study i've heard about says americans are happier than europeans. why would that be.

    i think it's because europeans think more than americans.


  • [3] Will from NY August 14, 2007 - 12:22PM

    Harvardites pay to hear this.


  • [4] Libby from New York City August 14, 2007 - 12:30PM

    The weather has a great effect on my mood--when it's excessively humid, I'm cranky. But on a beautiful day like today I'm very happy.


  • [5] Rico August 14, 2007 - 12:33PM

    My elementary school had a class called "Flow" that was based on Czikcenmihaly's theory. As a child it was a great practice in concentration!


  • [6] Chuck Finkle from New York August 14, 2007 - 12:35PM

    How can one be aware of the terrible things that people do to each other in this world, and still be truly happy?


  • [7] Millie Niss from North Tonawanda, NY August 14, 2007 - 12:40PM

    I am appalled that this new age schlock is presented as an academic discipline. The guest has evoked "research" as a justification for his very obvious advice, but he hasn't actually described any studies or conveyed any intellectual content. I can't believe this material s a credit-bearing course at Harvard. When I was at Columbia, there was a bartending course just for fun but no one pretended it was academic...


  • [8] Connie from Hoboken August 14, 2007 - 12:40PM

    Happiness is like jello--there's always room for it, even in a world full of horrible events. I DO know that you won't find sustained happiness by shopping, though our consumer economy wants us to think so.


  • [9] Anony from Harlem August 14, 2007 - 12:49PM

    They guy said he met "The One" for him (his love) when he was 7 years old. Very pie in the sky imo and he's no idea on the quest for a partner, how much that frustration (being single) can consume a person and block being happy for some people.

    He also did not touch on the depths of his own unhappiness - was he pushed to being suicidal and did he successfully spin out from that?

    The interview was way too light, general and did not at all address real life for a broad section of people (those seeking happiness after surviving from abuse, self-abuse, traumatic experience, deep betrayal) etc. on and on - with only a slight and brief mention that there is a place for medication, meanwhile in the real world 33% of the people I know are on some antidepressent of some flavor, half- drink too much alochol, and a solid 50% are in therapy sans meds.

    Disappointed in the interview.


  • [10] elle from New Jersey August 15, 2007 - 08:41AM

    I am familiar with Martin Seligman's positive psychology, but this interview did not add anything new to the achievement of happiness. "Stop and smell the roses" seems to be the message, and that adage has been around a while.


  • [11] Joan M. Romo from New Jersey August 21, 2007 - 06:23PM

    Please read the Dalai Lama...


  • [12] shelley from Sydney , Australia July 26, 2008 - 10:03PM

    I believe in the 'Power Of Positive Thinking'. If you continually think negatively then things will not improve. Change and in a positive way will always improve any situation.


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