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”

  1. Hellо! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if tthat ᴡoᥙld be ok.

    I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog annd look forward too neww uрdatеs.

    my bloց poѕt … dewi365

  4. Greetingѕ from Loss angeles! I’m bored to desɑth at workk so I deсided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.I love the
    information you present here and ⅽan’t wait to take a looқ when I get home.
    I’m shocked at hoԝ quick your blog loɑdedd on my phone
    .. I’m noօt eeven using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good blog! http://wimbi.wiki/index.php?title=Prediksi_Angka_Togel_Live_Draw_Hk_Sydney_Sgp_Erek_Erek_2d_3d_4d_Paling_Ternama_Di_Indonesia

  5. Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Ie, 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, amazing blog!

    Here is my webpage judi pulsa

  6. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?

    I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think
    of if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this
    website could definitely be one of the very best in its niche.
    Superb blog!

    Also visit my page: promo-poker.com

  7. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your
    weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    Look into my blog – slotpulsa77.xyz

  8. I do not even know the way I finished up right here, but I believed this
    submit used to be good. I don’t realize who you might be however definitely you
    are going to a well-known blogger in the event you are not
    already. Cheers!

    Also visit my website :: deposit pulsa

  11. Hello there, You have done a great job. I will
    definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
    I am sure they will be benefited from this
    site.

    my webpage :: idn slot

  14. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really know
    what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked.
    Kindly additionally seek advice from my web site =).
    We may have a link exchange contract between us

  15. The core of your writing while sounding reasonable at first, did not work well with me personally after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer unfortunately only for a very short while. I still have got a problem with your leaps in assumptions and you might do well to fill in all those gaps. In the event that you can accomplish that, I could definitely end up being fascinated.

  16. Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog
    platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress
    because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Also visit my web blog – adu-ayam.net

  20. Hello! I know this is somewhat off-topic however I had to ask.
    Does managing a well-established blog such as yours require a massive amount work?
    I am completely new to blogging but I do write in my journal everyday.

    I’d like to start a blog so I can share my experience and views online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas
    or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

  22. Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so!
    Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.

    Here is my blog post – http://Www.Jjctv.Kr

  23. Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this
    web page, because i wish for enjoyment, since this this site conations truly fastidious funny stuff too.

  24. I do trust all the ideas you have offered on your post.
    They are very convincing and will certainly work.
    Still, the posts are very quick for novices. Could you please extend them a little from
    next time? Thanks for the post.

    Feel free to surf to my web site: taxi nice aeroport

  25. I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as
    you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  26. My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another
    platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

    My blog – agen slot online

  27. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d
    definitely donate to this excellent blog!

    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
    my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook
    group. Chat soon!

  28. Thank you sharing all these wonderful articles. In addition, the optimal travel and also medical insurance system can often relieve those worries that come with travelling abroad. Your medical crisis can quickly become costly and that’s absolute to quickly place a financial load on the family’s finances. Having in place the ideal travel insurance package deal prior to leaving is worth the time and effort. Thanks a lot

  33. What i do not understood is actually how you are now not actually a lot more smartly-favored
    than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You already know thus considerably relating
    to this subject, made me in my view imagine it from numerous varied angles.
    Its like women and men don’t seem to be
    fascinated except it’s something to do with Lady
    gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!

  34. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?

    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
    seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
    Thank you!

    Take a look at my blog … judi slot online

  36. I seriously love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme.

    Did you build this site yourself? Please reply
    back as I’m trying to create my own personal
    blog and would like to find out where you got this from or exactly
    what the theme is named. Thank you!

    my web-site; download s128

  37. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me.

    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    My web page :: bandaragenjudi.com

  41. This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
    to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
    I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.

    Too cool!

    Review my homepage :: ayamonline.org

  43. Greetings! I’ve been following your web site for a long time now and finally got the courage to go
    ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to
    mention keep up the good work!

  45. Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my
    iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a
    look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my
    mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!

  47. I have been surfing online more than three hours nowadays, yet I never found any
    interesting article like yours. It is beautiful
    value sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you
    did, the internet will likely be a lot more useful than ever
    before.

    Here is my webpage … game slot

  49. I do not even know the way I finished up here, however I
    believed this put up used to be good. I don’t understand who you are however definitely you are
    going to a well-known blogger when you are
    not already. Cheers!

Comments are closed.