What Do We Really Yearn For With PBT and ACT Founders Steven Hayes and Joseph Ciarrochi
Mar 4, 2024
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Explore core yearnings that guide behavior, the role of agency and purpose in life, embracing a range of emotions, staying present for value-driven actions. Learn how yearnings can be misdirected and harnessed for better living. Delve into belonging, competence, embracing emotions, and mindfulness through physical activities.
Belonging is a core yearning that, when misdirected, can lead to psychological inflexibility and understanding its importance helps navigate inclusion.
Coherence as a yearning drives individuals to make sense of experiences, and embracing a humble form of coherence can enhance understanding and flexibility.
The yearning for purpose and competence compels individuals to strive for meaning and growth, understanding these yearnings can help channel efforts towards meaningful pursuits.
Deep dives
The Yearning for Belonging and Its Impact
Humans have an intrinsic yearning to belong, be seen, and feel included in a group. Misdirected yearnings for belonging can lead to psychological inflexibility. Understanding the importance of belonging can help individuals navigate their desire for inclusion.
The Yearning for Coherence and Making Sense of Experience
The yearning for coherence drives individuals to make sense of their experiences. While coherence can be helpful in understanding the world, misdirected coherence can lead to rigid thinking and an inability to adapt to changing circumstances. Embracing a humble form of coherence can enhance understanding and flexibility.
The Yearning for Purpose and Competence
The yearning for purpose involves striving to make a difference and feel that one's life matters. Similarly, the yearning for competence drives individuals to grow, learn, and master new skills. Understanding these yearnings can help individuals channel their efforts towards meaningful pursuits.
The Yearning to Feel and Embrace All Emotions
The yearning to feel encompasses a desire to experience all emotions, not just positive ones. By embracing a full range of emotions, individuals can deepen their self-awareness and enhance their capacity to connect with others. Avoiding the suppression of 'negative' emotions is crucial for emotional well-being.
The Yearning for Orientation and Being Present
The yearning for orientation involves grounding oneself in the present moment and fostering a sense of presence. By focusing on the here and now, individuals can enhance their awareness, reduce stress, and foster a deeper connection with themselves and their surroundings. Practices like mindfulness and physical activity can help fulfill this yearning for orientation.
What do you really yearn for? According to Steven Hayes and Joseph Ciarrochi, humans have 6 core yearnings that guide our behavior towards or away from psychological flexibility.
In this episode, you will explore:
Our natural yearnings, how they shape our behaviors and psychological reflexes, and the insight required to align our actions with our core values.
The role of agency and the desire for purpose in our lives
Our inherent desire to feel a broad spectrum of emotions, even those perceived as negative
The importance of staying present and grounded as a foundation for taking purposive, value-driven steps in our lives.
Listen to hear how these yearnings can get misdirected and how to harness them to “feel better,” live better, and connect.