Positive Psychology: No Longer Just the Study of Happiness: Positive Education, Positive Health and Flourishing
At the World Congress on Positive Psychology, thought-leaders in the field of positive psychology presented their visions for the future. Notably, most argued that studying happiness is a start, but not sufficient. These three areas will be the future focus for the field of positive psychology:
Positive Health
Already, leading psychologists, physicians and other influencers have begun gathering to develop the field of positive health. Last week, millions of dollars of grants were announced for the study of positive neuroscience. A lecture series at the University of Pennsylvania is focused on the area. Recently, Martin Seligman outlined his proposal (PDF) for the new field:
Positive health describes a state beyond the mere absence of disease and is definable and measurable. Positive health can be operationalised by a combination of excellent status on biological, subjective, and functional measures.
Positive Education
Yesterday’s U.S. News and World Report includes a niece piece on positive education, which Marty Seligman last year defined in an Australian op-ed :
The schooling of children has, for more than a century, been about accomplishment, the avenue into the world of adult work. I am all for accomplishment, success, literacy and discipline, but imagine if schools could, without compromising either, teach both the skills of well being and the skills of achievement. Imagine positive education. – Martin Seligman
The Science of Flourishing
At the World Congress on Positive Psychology, attendees were challenged to ensure that 51% of the world is flourishing by 2051. The focus on flourishing will become more prominentas global researchers argue that human flourishing is the ultimate goal of studying and increasing happiness. In 2002, positive psychology saw its first book focused on flourishing. In the coming months, we will see more articles, lectures and studies incorporating the idea of human flourishing. Keep watching Chris Peterson, from the University of Michigan. For years, he has been reminding his colleagues in positive psychology that “Other people matter.” This mantra becomes even more important as the field focuses on studying the science of human flourishing.
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The idea of positive education is both inspiring and completely doable. Imagine the new strengths and abilities that the world could facilitate if positive education was utilized in the classroom. Brilliant.
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful, blessed, message. I truly believe we will all benefit with.
As Brooke says ” The idea of positive education is both inspiring and completely doable!” Brilliant.
I would like to share one of my writings that I feel fits well here:
What is the primary difference between what comes first in our lives, formal education or the lessons we learn through our life experience? Which path of knowledge will help us the most? Which will help ensure better outcomes or open the way for more success, without having to do so many do-overs before we get it right? My truth is that we will all find our way eventually to the knowledge that guides our heart and speaks to our soul’s deep longing. Whether we find it through books or through an inner knowing, the insight will help us live our lives to our highest and fullest potential.
Our society may indicate that education is intended to expand our minds through knowledge about subjects such as Math, Science, English and others taught in schools. We are taught to expand our minds and through study we can rise higher in the world, in knowledge, information, wealth, stature, awards, and gain public honors for efforts toward making the world a better place. That knowledge is valuable.
However, it is not the same knowledge and intelligence that has been sought out by millions and can be found in many of the recent best selling books on how to live our lives more fully and with a focus on our true purpose. The power of true intelligence can be found in prayer, stillness, in the power of now, through going within and listening. As Albert Einstein said “I want only the thoughts of God!” This allows the highest intelligence to work through us, helping us in our quest to find our greatest truths, our highest places, our bliss, our joy, our peace and understanding, our passion. Perhaps most importantly to find our true purpose and what enhances our ability to listen to Divine Guidance. I wonder if this is part of what Jesus was referring to when he offered that we should be like little children, “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”, open to the wonder of life, and in emptying our storehouses.
Some have not had the privilege of having as much formal education and study because of circumstances that were beyond them. Does this allow more time to be devoted to prayer, stillness, and listening within, as a means of finding inner guidance? It is said some of the simplest cultures on earth are comprised of some of the happiest people. By not being so involved with formal study and striving in the world, are we allowed an opportunity to be clearer? Are we open to hearing the guidance that is in us to move toward a more plentiful, more purposeful life? Does this contrast with an eagerness of studying and absorbing more of the ways of the world, in striving and climbing that in the end may not serve any true purpose in our lives? And possibly having fixed our minds on gaining more knowledge is it possible to be over full and confusion ? Might we miss out on a more direct path and finding a place of stillness where it is easier to listen to the guidance and direction from within…to hear your soul’s longing or God’s voice?
Would this be considered Religion or Psychology or the power of Love, Heart and Thought? To me, this knowledge has proven to be the most important, what helps guide and direct our lives regardless of the way we begin. Is it only a difference of opinion regarding the value of what we deem true knowledge to encompass? Which knowledge would we all prosper from, regardless of our background or current life circumstance?
Those who have been more fortunate and have labored for proper education and degrees worked hard to earn them. This too is noble service and a utilization of God’s gifts. Perhaps through their hard work and focus they find a way to listen to the stillness. Because of their hard work and dedication some of them devote their talent to writing and sharing the lessons they have learned. Their focus may be in passing on knowledge to the next generation and sharing from their ability to listen within. And for those who have not been as fortunate in formal education, but have lived life lessons and don’t necessarily have the degrees, but instead can be known by the fruits of their labors, can devote themselves to finding ways to share their truth, to shine a light to help others along the way. Both have messages to share. In truth, they both share the same story. The underlying truth is that knowledge can be gained in a myriad of way, more ways than can be taught in a book. One has to live the experience themselves to rise to their place. All forms of knowledge are to be honored.
Regardless of how we begin our lives, where we’ve been, what we’ve done, or with whom we have studied, we all have value to share with this world. Whatever benefits the whole, is begotten from the true knowledge of God.
Truly,
Catherine
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
Each child, his/her mind, body, and soul, not just school grades, is our hope for tomorrow.
[...] The connection between physical health and psychological factors is just the beginning. This study of positive psychical health represents one of the primary focuses of positive psychology, moving forward. At the recent World Congress on Positive Psychology, Martin Seligman and other thought-leaders argue that positive psychology ought to be about more than the study of happiness: we should study positive hea…. [...]