Psychological flexibility

Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose Steven Hayes, Ph.D.

What can we do to prosper when facing pain and suffering in our lives? More than a thousand studies suggest that a major part of the answer is learning psychological flexibility. Steven C. Hayes is one of the researchers who first identified that process and put it into action in the form of a popular acceptance and mindfulness method called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In this emotional talk, Hayes distills the essence of psychological flexibility down into a few easy to understand sentences. He takes viewers through a harrowing journey into his own panic disorder, to the very moment in his life when he made this life changing choice: I will not run from me. Hayes shows how making that choice allows us to connect with our own deep sense of meaning and purpose, arguing that taking a loving stance to your own pain allows you to bring love and contribution into the world.

Steven C. Hayes gave this talk at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Subtitles available in Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish
Submitted by courtneyzirkle