EUDAIMONIA

Written By Duane Nelson


2 IDEAS FROM ME

  • Eudaimonia is a Greek word meaning ‘good spirit of highest virtue’. It’s a source of joy when signature strengths are used to cultivate virtues throughout daily living. It also cultivates joy during meditative practice by reflecting with gratitude on meaningful eudaimonia experiences. Joy is an prerequisite to living your best life.

  • Common eudaimonia virtues among all traditions include: Humanity, transcendence, wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. Each of us have a unique profile of 24 signature strengths that cultivate those virtues. You can get your free signature strength profile at: https://viacharacter.org.

2 QUOTES FROM SAGES

  • “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”—Marcus Aurelius

  • “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times…The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”—Mihaly Chikszentmihalyi

1 QUESTION FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

  • Which of the following proven methods have you found most helpful in cultivating joy through eudaimonia?

    • Identify your top 5 signature strengths

    • Use one signature strength in a unique way each week.

    • Align your goals with your strengths

    • Use strengths to improve wellbeing and service to others

    • Practice Strength-Spotting in Others

    • Build strength-based habits

    • Once per month reflect on strengths when you were at your best

    • Temper strengths with balance to prevent over and under-use.

    • Weave strengths into highest values (Truth seeking, relationships, contribution)

Namaste,

Duane Nelson

Duane Nelson

Ultrajourney Insight is an Anacortes Washington-based non-profit organization providing mindfulness & well-being services designed to ignite the adventure of a lifetime. The founder, Duane Nelson, is a writer, speaker, and teacher with four decades of parenting, wilderness, & international technology leadership. His professional insights come from chemical engineering and automation leadership at Philips, Intel, and Amazon. His adventure insights flow from ultramarathons, mountaineering, canyoneering, and adventure racing in Nepal, Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, British Columbia and Alberta.

https://ultrajourneyinsight.org
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