The Suffering Hypothesis: How the New Science Supports the Ancient Wisdom of Meaningful Suffering
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D.
Trent University
“The above title sums up the main thrust of all my academic and professional activities this year. It is never easy to change people’s deeply entrenched negative view of suffering, but I have at least turned the corner, thanks to the pandemic. Now, more people are interested in learning about the protective and transformative benefits […]”
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Transcend the Pandemic: How to Redesign the Future of Work*
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D.
Trent University
“*Based on my presentation at the symposium on the Future of Work at the annual Convention of Social of Consulting Psychology, Feb.4-7, 2021 Abstract The coronavirus has drastically changed the world of work and demands a redesign for organizations and individuals in order to meet the numerous new challenges, such as working remotely and a […]”
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Two Different Models of Human Flourishing: Seligman’s PERMA Model Versus Wong’s Self-transcendence Model
“©Dr. Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D. Seligman’s (2011) PERMA model is limited by its failure to address existential suffering, which can undermine our best efforts to achieve flourishing. Wong’s model is developed from the framework of existential positive psychology (PP 2.0): Existential anxieties and negative emotions are an inescapable aspect of life. The pursuit and […]”
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Vulnerability Awareness and The New Science of Transforming Suffering Into Resilience
“Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych The courage to face our suffering is the first step towards turning away from toxic positivity and addiction towards healthy positivity. Awareness of our vulnerability is the first step towards positive transformation. These two counterintuitive ideas are the main inspirations for the new science of existential positive psychology (PP […]”
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Recommended Readings for the Existential Positive Psychology (2.0) of Flourishing Through Suffering*
“*This list is far from being exhaustive. Here, I only included those publications that have played an important role in my development of existential positive psychology and my own publications on this subject matter. I welcome suggestions of additional publications important for this emerging field. Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people […]”
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What is the Greatest Need Today?: Responsibility is the Key to Surviving and Thriving in Dangerous Times
Paul Wong, Ph.D., C. Psych.
“In a democratic society, people are free to choose, but are not free from the consequences of their choices. A sense of responsibility towards the self, others, and a higher authority serves the important function of guiding people to make the right choices. Therefore, the survival and wellbeing of individuals and society depends on the responsible use of freedom.”
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Emotions and Positive Change: Thinking Beyond the Good/Bad Dichotomy
Daniel Jordan, M.A. Student
“Are negative emotions to be managed and controlled? Daniel Jordan’s research suggests that both positive and negative emotions may be important for therapeutic change.”
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Integrating Addiction Research
Geoff Thompson, PhD, CCC
Program Director, Sunshine Coast Health Centre
“If you were to survey the literature on addiction and its treatment—more than 60 journals and countless books—you’d find many ways of making sense of the problem.”
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