Atulpant's List: Learning to Be

Using simple, delightful illustrations, designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his latest thinking on happiness -- both the conscious and unconscious kind. His seven rules for life and design happiness can (with some customizations) apply to everyone seeking more joy.

"May 7, 2007
The social and cultural psychologist Jonathan Haidt talks with Henry Finder about the five foundations of morality, and why liberals often fail to get their message across. From “2012: Stories from the Near Future,” the 2007 New Yorker Conference."

"Dacher Keltner is a social psychologist who focuses on the prosocial emotions, such as love, sympathy and gratitude, and processes such as teasing and flirtation that enhance bonds. He has conducted empirical studies in three areas of inquiry. A first looks at the determinant and effects of power, hierarchy and social class. A second in concerned with the morality of everyday life, and how we negotiate moral truths in teasing, gossip, and other reputational matters. A third and primary focus in on the biological and evolutionary basis of the benevolent affects, including compassion, awe, love, gratitude, and laughter and modesty. Professor Keltner is Co-Director of The Greater Good Science Center and the author of Born to Be Good."

"How to Recognize Happiness

Happiness as an ongoing state of mind—rather than a fleeting pleasurable sensation—could be recognized by the predominance of positive affects, by an ongoing freedom from inner conflicts that express themselves in obviously tormenting ways, by a sense of inner calmness, and by attitudes that reflect some kind of benevolence toward others, even though in the case of autistic children and all children with development disorders, all these may not be expressed in the usual ways.
About Speakers and Moderators Matthieu Ricard, Hanna Rosin"

"The History of Happiness

The search for happiness is as old as history itself. What lessons can we learn from the past?
About Speakers and Moderators Sissela Bok, Darrin McMahon, Daniel Gilbert"

The Neuroscience of Happiness

Is happiness a skill? Modern neuroscientific research and the wisdom of ancient contemplative traditions converge in suggesting that happiness is the product of skills that can be enhanced through training and such training exemplifies how transforming the mind can change the brain.
About Speakers and Moderators Kent Berridge, Richie Davidson, Daniel Gilbert"

"Stumbling on Happiness

Most of us think we know what would make us happy and
that our only problem is getting it. But, according to Harvard Psychologist and author Dan Gilbert, research in psychology and economics shows that people routinely mispredict how they will feel when they do and don't get what they are seeking, overestimating both the pleasures of success and the pains of failure. Learn what science has to tell us about why we all seem to stumble "on" happiness rather than "upon" it.
About Speakers and Moderators Daniel Gilbert"

"A Middle Aged Guy Talks About Engaging Passion

The main reason the education system doesn't work these days is not that we're bad at math and English instruction. It is that students lack the soft skills-how to use teachers as a tool for learning-and schools treat kids as blank slates to be filled with information instead of as emotionally needy creatures looking to organize their passions. This talk features New York Times Columnist, David Brooks.
About Speakers and Moderators David Brooks"

" COMPASSION MEDITATION- Part Two of Full Program "