The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters
by Emily Esfahani Smith
In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life.
Too many of us believe that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit—that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover life’s secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us—right here, right now.
To explore how we can craft lives of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives.
To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces us to compelling seekers of meaning—from the drug kingpin who finds his purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning.
Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.
Articles, reviews, interviews, etc. related to the book The Power of Meaning:
1. Speech(TED Talk): There’s more to life than being happy
Emily Esfahni Smith
Apr. 2017
2. Opinion Article(The New York Times): You’ll Never Be Famous- And That’s O.K.
Emily Esfahani Smith
Sept. 4, 2017
3. Book Talk and Questions (Politics and Prose): Emily Esfahani Smith, “The Power of Meaning”
Jan. 18, 2017
4. Panel (Nour Foundation): The Power of Meaning: The Quest for an Existential Roadmap
Steve Paulson
Oct. 10, 2017
5. Review (Krikus Reviews): The Power of Meaning
Oct. 11, 2016
6. Review (The Wall Street Journal): Forget About Being Happy
Naomi Duguid
Feb. 6, 2017
7. Review (The Daily Caller): ‘The Power of Meaning’ Book Review: Describing, Not Prescribing Purpose
Dan Bowling
May 11, 2017
8. Review (Scientific America):Power of a Meaningful Life
Gareth Cook
Jan. 24, 2017
9. Review (Psych Central): Book Review: The Power of Meaning
Bella DePaulo
Aug. 29, 2017
10. Interview (The Daily Stoic): The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life that Matters wiith Author Emily Esfahani Smith