1.   The chapter begins by stating, “an important aspect to our life is driven by our awareness of our existence and what that awareness calls us to do.” How can you apply this statement to your own life?

2.   Yalom proposed four basic topics for existential psychology. Take a moment and discuss each one. Have you seen these topics in everyday life? Why may they be important for adjustment?

3.   In this chapter, it discusses how wishing to hold on to things that are impermanent will only lead to unhappiness, grief, and frustration. If this is true, then why does such a desire to hold on to people, things, and circumstances that will leave us seem to be such a part of human nature?

4.   What is the difference between happiness and meaning? Do you think that both are equally important to well-being? Why or why not?

5.   How would you currently rate your existential hardiness? Thinking of the importance of commitment, challenge, control, social support, and physical exercise to existential hardiness, what are some steps that you could take to improve your existential hardiness?

6.   The ASPIRES research argues to add a sixth personality factor, one focused upon religious and spiritual aspirations. Others argue that this factor would be redundant with aspects of the current five personality factors. Do you think that this sixth factor is unique or redundant?

7.   Did you find the research on the importance of religiousness and spirituality for well-being surprising? Why or why not?

8.   Do you feel that school, in general, supports your autonomy? Why or why not?