Dr. Robert Waldinger - A Harvard Study Reveals the Key to a Happy Life

Today's guest is Dr. Robert Waldinger, the Harvard clinical psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Zen priest who directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies of adult life ever done.

You have probably heard of this groundbreaking study. It tracked the lives of two groups of men for over 75 years, and it continues to follow their Baby Boomer children to understand how childhood experience reaches across decades to affect health and wellbeing in middle age. The study revealed something we all seem to know intuitively: Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives.

Robert himself exudes the warmth and contentedness of man who took the results of this study to heart. His advice on building quality relationships and living a healthy and happy life will change your perspective on 'what really means something.'

Listen as we discuss:

• How Robert has been at Harvard since he was 18 years old
• Why would a Harvard Professor end up as a Zen priest?
• How learning the truth can be scary for some and exhilarating for others
• How Zen forces us to ask: "What really means something?"
• The meaning of Zen: being present for your life, and avoiding a "spiritual bypass"
• Robert's burning desire to ensure he does not sleepwalk through life, like many of us
• How time slows down when you've become more present for your life
• My own half-monk project and creating mini-silent retreats
• How being in life is the ultimate test of a spiritual practice
• That meditation doesn't work for everyone, but music and art can
• The history of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and its enlightening results
• How relationships change us biologically and affect our health
• Robert's advice on how to build quality relationships: "Invest"

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Connect with Dr. Robert Waldinger on Facebook @robertwaldingermd and Twitter @robertwaldinger

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Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy