Posted on by Phil

My Learnings from The Book of Joy

This past summer a good friend of mine bought me a copy of “The Book of Joy.”  In the last year I’d been getting into meditation/spirituality, and his wife had loved it.

While the book isn’t very long, it did take me a long time to read it for the simple reason that there is SO MUCH wisdom sprinkled throughout.   For those that don’t know, this book is basically a summary of a week of conversation between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.  It outlines many of their core philosophies.

There are a ton of great tidbits in this book for anyone with an open mind, and I highly suggest you go buy it if you’re at all curious.

I knew it’d be a worthwhile exercise for my own self to codify some (I can’t stress ‘some’ enough – this book is full of interesting and useful wisdom) of the key lessons that I took away, and thought “why not write them up on that blog I never post to!”

So, here are a few of the lessons I took away:

  • “The purpose of life is to find happiness” – The Dalai Lama says this in the opening part of the week, and I completely agree.  Of course, finding and pursuing happiness are quite different and will lead to divergent outcomes.  As is mentioned later in the book, happiness is a byproduct of generosity, compassion, self love, and a host of other worthy pursuits.  Pursuing it directly usually ends in distraction and a focus on things like fast cars or big boats.
  • Compassion = Happiness – Do you ever have one of those days where you strike up a genuine conversation with a stranger, or get to help out someone in need?  As the book says “If you develop a strong sense of concern for the well-being of others, this will make you happy in the morning, even before coffee.”  This is very true, and you can lean test it by smiling and saying hello to each person you meet with today – I guarantee you’ll notice the change in yourself.  Of course, you can supercharge your effort through generosity.
  • A grateful mind breeds happiness – Having a bad day?  Think of something you’re truly grateful for and focus on it.  Maybe it’s as trivial as how warm your coffee is, or maybe it’s something as important as your health.  Focusing on things we’re grateful for is transformative, and a worthwhile daily practice.
  • We’re all people – This is very related to the compassion point, but I wanted to write down a key consideration made throughout the book around the negative side of personal interactions.  Ever have a boss that is horrible, or have a run in with a bully?  Realistically, these people are critical because they see the world as critical, or aggressive because they are fragile.  Forgiveness and empathy, even to people who “don’t deserve it” leads to happiness.  Side note: I’ll admit it, I can hold grudges…but letting them go feels so much better than ruminating (with the exception of when I’m trying to beat a 3 mile time and need some extra adrenaline for that final push).
  • Stress and hardship are just a part of life – According to the book, stress is actually key to our development in utero (disclaimer:  I’m no doctor).  We can all agree that it’d be crazy not to recognize the amazing role that hardship and failure play in the evolution of us as individuals.  So, try to see the bright side of your next challenge, and realize that every human on earth has to go through something similar in their lives (easier said that done!).  Apparently, the first noble truth of Buddhism is that life is full of suffering.  If you need some extra inspiration here, I highly recommend Viktor Frankel’s Man’s Search for Meaning.
  • It ain’t all fluff  – A lot of the above sounds like something a non analytical thinker would believe in, or what you may simply learn at Kindergarten (and what’s wrong with that???).  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  Following the teachings laid out in this book will actually make you happier, allow you to think clearer, and live a more “productive” life.  Beyond my own experience,  you can see that these teachings align with how humans came to be through the evolution of our species.  For example, building meaningful relationships with others is a sure fire way to be happy, which makes sense as that’s how we used to (and still do) get stuff done in society.  In fact, the book is sprinkled with actual scientific studies that detail things like lowered hypertension in people who gave away money…just in case you’re a skeptic and need some data along with the wise words 🙂

One fun thought experiment is to think about the various things future generations will know as truth that we can’t see right now.  For example, we now look back at history and think “how could they not know smoking was bad for them?” or “how could anyone not see the CDO market was a house of cards that posed a major systemic risk to the economy?”  Meditation is a great way to think more clearly about the question of what we just aren’t understanding now…and, perhaps its future adoption will be another answer to this thought experiment.

8,699 Replies to “My Learnings from The Book of Joy”

  2. Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening
    in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted
    to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!

  5. I wanted to thank you for this very good read!! I certainly loved
    every little bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to
    check out new things you post…

  9. After going over a number of the blog articles on your blog, I seriously like your way of blogging.
    I saved it to my bookmark website list and will
    be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know your opinion.

  10. Hi! I’ve been following your web site for some time now and finally got the courage to go
    ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!

  13. Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever
    work and coverage! Keep up the fantastic works guys
    I’ve included you guys to blogroll.

  14. What’s up, all the time i used to check blog posts here in the early
    hours in the dawn, because i like to gain knowledge of more
    and more.

  15. Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to take a look.
    I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Exceptional blog and superb style and design.

  17. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness for
    your submit is simply nice and i could assume you’re an expert
    on this subject. Fine along with your permission let me
    to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near post.

    Thanks one million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  18. Hello to every one, the contents present at this web site are actually awesome for people experience,
    well, keep up the good work fellows.

  21. This is very attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to in search of extra of your fantastic post.
    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks

  22. Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favorite justification seemed
    to be at the net the simplest thing to take into account of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked even as other people consider issues that
    they plainly do not know about. You controlled to hit
    the nail upon the highest as smartly as outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , folks could take a signal.
    Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

  23. obviously like your web-site but you have to test the
    spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I
    in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other
    hand I will certainly come back again.

  25. I have fun with, lead to I found just what I was looking for.
    You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
    Bye

  26. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  29. Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your website in internet explorer, would test
    this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a big part of other people will pass
    over your great writing due to this problem.

  30. I think this is one of the most important info for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website
    style is ideal, the articles is really excellent : D.
    Good job, cheers

  31. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the
    simplest thing to keep in mind of. I say to you, I
    certainly get annoyed even as folks consider issues that they plainly do not understand about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as well as outlined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people can take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thank you

    My web blog – login poker online

  32. Good day! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great
    info you have got here on this post. I am returning to your website
    for more soon.

  33. I am curious to find out what blog system you have been working with?
    I’m having some small security problems with my latest site and
    I would like to find something more risk-free.

    Do you have any solutions?

  34. I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area
    . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site.
    Studying this information So i am glad to exhibit that I’ve
    a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I
    needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to do not put out of your mind
    this web site and give it a glance regularly.

  36. Ꮃoah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effectivе. A lot of timeѕ it’s haгd to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and
    visual appearance. Imust say that you’ve done a great job wirh this.

    Also, the Ьlog loads eхtгemely fast for me on Opera.
    Exceptional Blog!

  37. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to
    say great blog!

  39. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I
    would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  41. Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  42. Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
    many months of hard work due to no data backup.
    Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  47. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and
    interesting, and let me tell you, you have hit the
    nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough
    folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy
    that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

  48. I tһink this is one of the most significаnt infoormation for me.
    And i am glad rеɑding your article. But
    want to remark on feᴡ general thіngs, The web site stylle is wonderful,
    tһe articoes is really great : D. Good job, cheers

    my site – abgqq

  49. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I
    will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back in the foreseeable
    future. I want to encourage continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!

  50. I simply ϲouldn’t leafe ʏoour ste before ѕuggeѕting that I
    extremely lpved the usual info aan individual supply to your visitors?
    Is going to be back frequently in orⅾer to check up on new posts

    my web ρage – tahunqq

Comments are closed.