The Power Of Meaning

In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points _x000D_ the way toward a richer, more satisfying life. Too many of us believe _x000D_ that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit--that you have to _x000D_ travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover _x000D_ life's secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all _x000D_ around us--right here, right now. To explore how we can craft lives of _x000D_ meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of _x000D_ sources--from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and _x000D_ neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George _x000D_ Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this _x000D_ research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, _x000D_ identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our _x000D_ place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our _x000D_ lives. To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, _x000D_ Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, _x000D_ stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to _x000D_ share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces _x000D_ us to compelling seekers of meaning--from the drug kingpin who finds his_x000D_ purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu _x000D_ upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we _x000D_ might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and _x000D_ awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning._x000D_ Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound_x000D_ chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.