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The Meaning of Your Life

The inspiring guide to finding meaning and purpose, from the bestselling author of From Strength to Strength

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The Meaning of Your Life

By: Arthur C Brooks
Narrated by: Arthur C Brooks
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Brought to you by Penguin.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength, the definitive account of how the modern world makes meaning so hard to find—and a plan to discover your life’s deepest purpose.


If you struggle to discern life’s meaning, you’re not alone. Millions today describe a growing sense of emptiness, a lack of purpose and significance. And there’s a reason: Rapid cultural, economic and technological changes have rewired our brains, reducing their ability to perceive depth and purpose.

In The Meaning of Your Life, social scientist and happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks shows you how to push back against these changes and find the meaning you need to live a happy, fulfilling life. Relying on cutting-edge science, he offers practical, evidence-based strategies for breaking free of the powerful trends and personal habits that dull your focus on the why of your life. Drawing on the great philosophers and the world’s faith traditions, he shows how everyone can—and must—approach life’s most important and mysterious questions and provides a blueprint that will help even the most skeptical person find a life of spiritual transcendence, passionate love, and true calling.

'What is the meaning of my life?' is not an unanswerable question, but rather the start of a pilgrimage into unexplored corners of your consciousness. The Meaning of Your Life is your handbook for this journey.

© Arthur C Brooks 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Editors Select Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Happiness Habits Tradition
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Critic reviews

My friend Arthur C. Brooks clearly articulates how to live a meaningful, compassionate and purposeful life
Arthur Brooks is America’s most soulful social scientist. From the day I met him in 2007, it was clear that his life’s work was to increase human flourishing. Over the years he has transformed from data geek to passionate preacher, teaching us all how to live, work and age well in our rapidly changing society.
Arthur has shaped the way I see, the way I pray and the way I interact with students on a daily basis.
Every conversation I have with Arthur leaves me with a clearer perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life.
Arthur Brooks guides us to figure out how to live by focusing on the why. These pages can show anyone that meaning isn’t lost, just waiting to be found
If you really want a change in your life and are seeking deeper meaning, congratulations. You have found the perfect book.
All stars
Most relevant
I should have guessed that the "meaning of life" would include religion. But it started off meaningfully for me excluding God.
I think people who are religious know that stuff already and the rest of us are looking for something more societal or cultural. I didn't finish it

God and Love

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Great book, nothing new here. Most of the concept comes from eastern ancient traditions. It’s more an amass of different traditions brought together with his own life. Catered to an audience who if pretty affluent and doesn’t need to care about money to live their life. The issue with writers from privilege is that they fail to speak to those who can’t just “leave their job”.

Great book with some caveats

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I guess nothing is. I came to this after a podcast as a "wow, this is it"... and I get that nothing really is original anymore but this book strongly feels like "7 habits of highly effective people" by Stephen Covey just rewritten for the modern person.. and that's not a bad thing per se but the author goe around talking at podcasts as if he came up with these ideas himself.

this is not original but

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highly recommended read especially for the younger generations, but not exclusively. i am 45 and learnt so much

applicable wisdom

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Honour thy father & mother…😉 Brené brings meaning to relationships Arthur brings it to life, can we hope for the return of eldership in our culture today?

Father to Brené’s Mother.

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