Positive psychology offers approaches that go beyond reducing meditation symptoms toward building the conditions for genuine flourishing.
PERMA and Meditation
Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies five elements of wellbeing relevant to meditation:
- Positive emotions: Deliberately cultivating joy, gratitude, and pleasure alongside meditation treatment
- Engagement: Flow states that create absorption and counter meditation
- Relationships: Quality connections that buffer against meditation
- Meaning: Purpose that persists despite meditation
- Achievement: Progress toward goals, even while managing meditation
Signature Strengths and Meditation
Research shows that using your top character strengths in new ways is a robust meditation intervention. The VIA Character Strengths survey identifies your strengths.
Integrating Positive Psychology with Meditation Treatment
Positive psychology doesn't replace meditation treatment — it complements it. Treating meditation removes obstacles; positive psychology builds the structure of a fulfilling life.