'A delightful compendium' - Evening StandardHave you ever had a feeling that you couldn't quite describe, because no English word exists for it?Indeed, without such a word, it's difficult to remember or understand the feeling, and to talk about it with other people. This applies to all aspects of life, but most of all to that most sought-after of feelings, happiness, where our ability to both experience and understand it is limited...

How embracing untranslatable terms for well-being—from the Finnish sisu to the Yiddish mensch—can enrich our emotional understanding and experience.Western psychology is rooted in the philosophies and epistemologies of Western culture. But what of concepts and insights from outside this frame of reference? Certain terms not easily translatable into English—for example, nirvāṇa (from Sanskrit), or agápē (from Classical Greek), or ...

A concise and engaging exploration of how we understand happiness.What does it mean to feel happiness? As a state of mind, it’s elusive. As a concept—despite the plethora of pop psychology books on the subject—it’s poorly understood. In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, psychologist Tim Lomas offers a concise and engaging overview of our current understanding of happiness. Lomas explains that although the field of positive psychology, which f...

In this groundbreaking collection, editors Lindsay G. Oades, Narelle Lemon, Jacqui Francis, and Tim Lomas explore wellbeing literacy—the capability to understand and effectively use wellbeing language to enhance flourishing for oneself, others, and society. Drawing together international scholars across diverse disciplines, this volume examines how intentional communication about wellbeing serves as a critical mechanism for personal and collective thriving.Moving beyond simplistic ...

Updated with the latest theory and research and structured around a pioneering multidimensional model of wellbeing, this book equips you with the knowledge and tools to apply positive psychology to many areas of life.This includes interventions aimed at developing mental and physical functioning, as well as recommendations for enhancing relationships and reshaping organisational structures. A wealth of case studies show you how these practices can be successfully deployed in divers...

The pursuit of happiness is universal. Most of us would like to experience more joy and elation, but when we feel like we are falling short of this ideal, we can often feel downcast. We may even see 'darker' emotional states, like anger and envy, as character defects or serious illnesses.In The Positive Power of Negative Emotions, Dr Tim Lomas reveals that these 'negative' feelings are not only normal and natural, but may in fact serve as pathways to the very happiness and...

Positive psychology is currently equated with theory and research on the positive aspects of life. The reality could not be further from the truth. Positive psychology investigates and researches some of the most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that explores a variety of topics we consider to be part of the ‘dark’ side of life while emphasising their role in our positiv...

Mindfulness in Positive Psychology brings together the latest thinking in these two important disciplines. Positive psychology, the science of wellbeing and strengths, is the fastest growing branch of psychology, offering an optimal home for the research and application of mindfulness. As we contemplate mindfulness in the context of positive psychology, meaningful insights are being revealed in relation to our mental and physical health.The book features chapters from lead...

Since the turn of the twenty-first century, the field of positive psychology has sought to implement a science of human flourishing so that we may lead happier, more fulfilling lives. It has found expression not only in academic papers but also popular books and, increasingly, in government policy. The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Positive Psychology is the first volume dedicated to a critical appraisal of this influential but controversial field of study.T...

In recent decades there has been a shift in focus from psychological and social problems-what might be called the "dark side" of humanity-to human well-being and flourishing. The Positive Psychology movement, along with changes in attitudes toward organisational and societal health, has generated a surge of interest in human happiness. The Oxford Handbook of Happiness is the definitive text for researchers and practitioners interested in human happiness. Its editors and chapter contributor...

What is compassion, how does it affect the quality of our lives and how can we develop compassion for ourselves and others?Humans are capable of extreme cruelty but also considerable compassion. Often neglected in Western psychology, this book looks at how compassion may have evolved, and is linked to various capacities such as sympathy, empathy, forgiveness and warmth. Exploring the effects of early life experiences with families and peers, this book outlines how developing compas...

The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Mindfulness brings together the latest multi-disciplinary research on mindfulness from a group of international scholars:Examines the origins and key theories of the two dominant Western approaches to mindfulnessCompares, contrasts, and integrates insights from the social psychological and Eastern-derived perspectivesDiscusses the implications for mindfulness across a range of fields, including consciousness and cog...