Robert Waldinger

Lessons on the Good Life

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What makes a good life?

Harvard's 75-year-long study of adult life offers lessons on what the good life really looks like. Stay connected with the latest findings.
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Discover the Good Life

My name is Robert Waldinger, and I'm a Harvard psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest. As director of the longest study on adult life and happiness, I've learned some surprising things about what the good life actually looks like. I'd like to connect with you and share insights from the study, as well as show you what Zen and psychoanalytic psychotherapy can teach us about the good life.

Ways to Partcipate in My Work:


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01Watch My TED Talk.

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone. In this TED talk, I compare these common notions to scientific data on the good life gathered from a 75-year-long study of adult development. I share three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical wisdom on how to build a fulfilling life.

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02Connect to Hear More.

Let’s connect and begin a dialogue about the good life. Beyond keeping you up to date on future presentations or interviews tied to my TED talk, I’ll also periodically release a newsletter that explores my favorite topics: findings from the longitudinal study, Zen, and insight-oriented psychotherapy. In tandem, you will be invited to share your thoughts related to these powerful tools for crafting wiser approaches to life.

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03Read the Blog and Respond.

My blog is where I’ll address current events and explore some of the latest findings on the good life. I’ll also use this platform to answer questions related to Zen meditation and psychotherapy’s role in healing and promoting well-being.

Read the Blog