Balancing Reducing Suffering and Increasing Happiness

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Some individuals prioritize reducing suffering, finding it charitable to help alleviate pain in those with disabilities. Others focus more on increasing happiness, believing it to be inspiring to bring joy to those already doing okay. The speaker, having experienced addiction, initially leaned towards reducing suffering but later broadened to valuing both aspects equally. They emphasize the importance of addressing the issue of people who are doing okay but not flourishing, considering it a crucial problem, although not more significant than preventing basic suffering like disease and poverty.

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What can we learn from the parable of the two wolves? What is valuism? Do we choose our own intrinsic values? How quickly do our intrinsic values change over time, if at all? How do values and principles relate to one another? Why is behavior change so hard? What conditions need to be met in order for people to change their behavior? How can people make their behavior changes more persistent and less vulnerable to life's ups and downs?

Eric Zimmer is a behavior coach with 20 years of experience, a Certified Interfaith Spiritual Director, a podcast host, and a writer who is endlessly inspired by the quest for a greater understanding of how our minds work and how we can intentionally create the lives we want to live. He has coached hundreds of people from around the world on how to make significant life changes and create habits that serve them well in achieving the goals they've set for themselves. In addition to his work as a behavior coach, he currently hosts the award-winning podcast, The One You Feed, the title of which is based on an old parable about two wolves at battle within us. Learn more about Eric and his work at oneyoufeed.net.

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