Includes bibliographical references and index.

Seeking a fulfilling life : why there is more to it than happiness -- The curiosity advantage : opening the gateway to what makes life most worth living -- Our brains lust for the new -- The curious moment : sparking intrigue in the new and meaning in the mundane -- Creating lasting interests and passions -- The rewards of relationships : infusing energy and passion into social interactions -- The anxious mind and the curious spirit -- The dark side of curiosity : obsessions, sensational thrills, sex, death and detrimental gossip -- Discovering meaning and purpose in life.

Far from killing cats, curiosity breathes new life into almost everything it touches. Here, Dr. Todd Kashdan offers a profound new message missing from so many books on happiness: the greatest opportunities for joy, purpose, and personal growth don't, in fact, happen when we're searching for happiness. They happen when we are mindful, when we explore what's novel, and when we live in the moment and embrace uncertainty. Positive events last longer and we can extract more pleasure and meaning from them when we are open to new experiences and relish the unknown. Dr. Kashdan uses science, story, and practical exercises to show you how to become what he calls a curious explorer--a person who's comfortable with risk and challenge and who functions optimally in an unstable, unpredictable world. Here's a blueprint for building lasting, meaningful relationships, improving health, increasing creativity, and boosting productivity. Curious to know more?--From publisher description.