Learn how to develop the inner conditions for true happiness! A unique opportunity to hear from the French monk dubbed by scientists as “the happiest man in the world”.

 

• Can we accurately predict what will make us happy?
• Are we looking for happiness in the right places?
• Can I improve my satisfaction and happiness in life?
• What are my emotional blind spots?
• Learning to observe what makes us and others happy

Professor Daniel Gilbert, Harvard College Professor of
Psychology, Harvard University, USA, Best-Selling Author
Stumbling on Happiness

• Is happiness the purpose of life?
• Is true, lasting happiness possible?
• Happiness and altruism: does happiness make us kind or
does being kind make us happy?
• Towards a science of happiness

 

Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author Happiness: A Guide to
Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, Shechen Monastery,
Nepal

• Does biology determine our level of happiness?
• What is the “happiness set point” and can it be changed?
• What does science say about the plasticity of the brain?
• Mind over matter – the power of thought to change the brain
• Can the emotional brain be trained?

Dr Richard J Davidson, Vilas Professor of Psychology and
Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

• What is the connection between attention, neuroplasticity
and happiness?
• Can developing our attention help us to be happier?
• Is distraction making us unhappy?
• How can we bring the benefits of calm, focused attention
into everyday life?
• Contemplative techniques for cultivating genuine happiness

 

B. Alan Wallace, President, Santa Barbara Institute for
Consciousness Studies, USA, Author The Attention Revolution:
unlocking the power of the focused mind

• How do we measure how happy we are? The study of subjective experience
• What are the dimensions of happiness?
• Is happiness a conscious or unconscious state?
• Can we change? Challenging the dogma of the hardwired brain
• How can science help us in the quest for happiness?
• Nature or nurture – how far can we go in changing our brain to be happier?
• Case studies on the power of action and thought to increase well-being

• What makes people thrive?
• How do earlier life experiences affect our happiness and
wellbeing?
• What factors influence a successful transition into
retirement and later life?
• Developing practical tools to increase wellbeing at different
stages in the life course
• Working with government to place well-being, not just
economic success, at the forefront of policy

 

Dr Felicia Huppert, Professor of Psychology, Director,
Well-Being Institute, Cambridge University, UK

• How can CBT help in managing negative moods more
effectively?
• How successful is CBT in changing unhelpful thinking?
• What are the tools of CBT?
• How can I effectively manage my emotional states?
• What are some guidelines for emotional health?

 

Dr Tony Kidman, Director, Health Psychology Unit, University
of Technology, Sydney, Author Feeling Better – A guide to
Mood Management

Moderator:

• What makes some people seem so youthful?
• How can I maximize my nutrition for a healthier, happier life?
• Regaining well-being and vigor after illness
• Is sex good for my health?
• The mind/body connection – using the mind to boost the
immune system.

Sophie Scott, National Medical Reporter, ABC;
Author Live A Longer Life

• How can I nurture my own and other’s inherent potential?
• How can I cultivate my leadership skills?
• Learning the power of appreciation – at home and at work
• The role of questions for a leader
• Bringing about personal and organisational change that lasts

 

Tal Ben-Shahar, Positive Psychology Lecturer, Harvard University, USA; Author Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfilment

• Is stress a natural and necessary part of the workplace?
• Keeping things in perspective – laughter as workplace therapy
• How do I recognise and manage early signs of distress and not coping in the workplace – in myself and others?
• Dealing with the spectrum of emotions in the workplace
• Stop, revive, survive – practical techniques for managing workplace stress

 

 

• Why are lottery winners no happier than the rest of us?
• Why are the world’s two richest people giving away their fortunes?
• Are we choosing what makes us happy?
• What is the link between money and happiness?
• Teaching children about money

After Dinner Speaker: Matthieu Ricard, Shechen Monastery, Nepal

Julie McCrossin, MC, Journalist, TV & Radio Presenter

• How can we maintain hope and courage in a troubled world?
• Finding happiness in the face of adversity
• The amazing power of the human spirit

 

Dr Charlie Teo, Neurosurgeon, Founding Director, The Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

 

• Are we biologically predisposed to be altruistic?
• Why do some people take heroic action while other remain bystanders?
• Are our actions ever purely altruistic or are they mixed with more selfish motives? Does motivation matter if the end result is positive?
• Is happiness a by-product of unselfish love?
• Is giving the key to happiness?
• Can we develop our qualities of love and compassion?
• What qualities do we need to develop to bring about social justice and a happier society?

 

Dr Norman Swan, Presenter Health Matters, ABC Radio National

Panellists:

• Can you make yourself lastingly happier?
• Can we learn to be optimistic?
• Discover and renew your signature strengths and virtues
• The new science of Positive Psychology

 

Dr Martin Seligman, Director, Centre for Positive Psychology University of Pennsylvania, USA, Best Selling Author: Authentic Happiness

• Are disturbing emotions inherent to the mind?
• Is it possible to transform disturbing emotions such as anger
into something useful?
• Can meditation help us deal with painful emotions?
• Can positive emotions be cultivated and increased?
• Cultivating emotional balance, happiness and wellbeing

 

Tenzin Palmo, Founder, Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, India; subject of best seller Cave in the Snow, Author: Reflections on a Mountain Lake

• The new science of love
• Can we rewire the brain for love and compassion?
• The role of the virtues in leading a happier life
• Compassion and altruism as the path to happiness

Dr Stephen Post, President, Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, USA; Co-author Why Good Things Happen to Good People

• Every parent wants a “happy childhood” for their children. What best supports this?
• What will most effectively help children to flourish, whatever their temperament?
• How can children understand and survive sadness, anger and other challenging emotions?
• How do parents’ values and expectations affect their children’s emotional wellbeing?

Steve Biddulph, Psychologist, Best-Selling Author, The Secret
of Happy Children, Manhood and Raising Boys; Founder,
The SIEVX National Memorial

• Is school the best place to learn about happiness and well-being?
• How successful can positive interventions be in helping children to be happier?
• What are the implications for teachers?
• Where do parents fit in?

Moderator:

Richard Aedy, Presenter, Life Matters, ABC Radio National

Panellists:
Dr Martin Seligman, Director, Centre for Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Stephen Meek, Principal, Geelong Grammar School

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist, Ambassador beyondblue and Mind Matters

Anna Patty, Education Editor, Sydney Morning Herald

Moderator:
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist, Ambassador, beyondblue and Mind Matters, Author Surviving Adolescents: The Must-Have Manual For All Parents

One of Australia’s leading adolescent psychologists talks with two courageous young people from beyondblue’s Youth Crew about how they have faced challenges, dealt with troubling emotions and overcome adversity in their lives.

• Is finding romantic love the key to happiness?
• Are men really from Mars and women from Venus?
• What if my needs are different to my partner’s needs?
• How can I create more intimacy and trust in my relationships?
• Balancing work, family and intimate relationships.

Dr Rosie King, GP, Sex Therapist, Author Good Loving, Great Sex

• How important is a sense of belonging to leading a happy life?
• What does it mean to be born to country?
• Children are born into stories
• Different ways of knowing happiness
• Belonging to the world

• How do you measure a healthy society?
• How can we contribute to creating engaged, healthy and happy communities?
• Everyday heroes in our community – caring for one another
• Social justice – a fair go for all

Moderator:Anne Hollonds, CEO, Relationships Australia (NSW)

Panellists:
Anne Deveson, AO, Broadcaster, Filmmaker, Best Selling Author: Tell Me I’m Here and Resilience; Patron Sane Australia

 

Kerry Graham, CEO, Inspire Foundation

Professor Bob Cummins, School of Psychology, Australian Centre on Quality of Life, Deakin University

Joan Hughes, CEO, Carers Australia

Di O’Neil, Director of Training and Mission, St Luke’s Anglicare, Victoria

Moderator:
Julie McCrossin, MC, Journalist, TV & Radio Presenter

Personal Stories:
Jonathon Welch, Founding Choir Director, Conductor, Choir of Hard Knocks, plus two members of the Choir of Hard Knocks

Dr Martin Seligman, Director, Centre for Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, USA, Best Selling Author: Authentic Happiness

For more information about this workshop

Dr Stephen Post, President, Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, USA; Co-author: Why Good Things Happen to Good People

For more information about this workshop

Dr Timothy Sharp, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer, The Happiness Institute, Author: The Happiness Handbook

 

Paul Wilson, international Best-Selling Author: The Quiet, The Little Book of Calm Simple steps to peace and contentment ... without spending the rest of your life on a mountaintop 
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Tenzin Palmo, Founder, Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, India; subject of best seller Cave in the Snow, Author: Reflections on a Mountain Lake 
For more information about this workshop

Tal Ben-Shahar, Positive Psychology Lecturer, Harvard University, USA Author: Happier
 
For more information about this workshop

 

 

 

 

Dr Russ Harris, Medical doctor and Psychotherapist, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Trainer, Author: The Happiness Trap
For more information about this workshop

 

 

Sue Pieters-Hawke, Consultant, Mentor, Ambassador National Carers Week, Best-Selling Author: Hazel’s Journey 
For more information about this workshop