Mt. ؟!…shing: A Journey to Reconstructing Life and Its Meaning drawing inspiration from Martin Seligman’s Flourish theory and Eastern transcendental teachings, leading readers on a symbolic ascent up the mountain of life exploring psychological theories blending with spiritual teachings. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The ultimate desire for every individual is to live in such a manner that at the end, they will have no regrets. Many times, people try very hard and do a lot, but still don’t get what they want. Dr. Martin Seligman, a former president of the American Psychological Association (APA), explored and defined five pillars of flourishing. Unfortunately, his work is hard to understand, not only for non-English speakers but also for native English speakers. I’ve taken it upon myself to present his theories in a manner that is more accessible. Populist ideas, usually spread by some authoritative personalities, form one of the major threats in the modern world. Similarly, popular psychologists have not always been so effective at getting their research across to an ordinary audience. To do this, I try to make these more complex psychological theories, such as those concerning Dr. Seligman’s work on flourishing, understandable to ordinary people.

How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?

This book took me over three years to complete, involving vigorous research into theories of flourishing and well-being, many of which were shared with me by Dr. Seligman himself or referenced in his works. I collaborated with the R&D team to fully explore and distill these ideas. Initially, the book had seven chapters, but it was overwhelming. To this end, I decided to condense it, yet every chapter still stands alone as a comprehensive piece on the subject. That’s why I often say that by reading this book, you’re essentially reading six books in one. This project, I honestly believe, is one of the most important contributions to psychology today—at least for myself. It represents the culmination of my best work.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?

I hope readers walk away with a better understanding of the theory of flourishing. It is deceptively simple on the surface, but becomes more complex when explored in depth. I would also like people to recognize that many principles of today’s psychology were already touched upon by Eastern thinkers hundreds of years ago, proving that the lessons in flourishing aren’t just modern ideas but have stood the test of time. We should appreciate the wisdom of those ancient scholars who grasped ideas still being explored today. Ultimately, I want readers to understand how important flourishing theory is—its relevance has endured for over a century, and it remains a powerful tool for well-being.

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