“The book of Joy” has given me a completely new meaning and perspective to the existing understanding I thought I had about happiness, joy, positivity and a life devoid of suffering even with its prominent presence nowadays. I simply loved the book.
The book is a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu about finding joy and happiness in the face of suffering and grief. The two old friends met in India for the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and they had long discussions for almost a week.
Writer Douglas Abrams has gained my respect in how he has facilitated experiences and learning of these two spiritual leaders through this compiled Bible of dialogues between them. It has detailed notes of important episodes that had happened during their meeting and hence offering the reader a rare opportunity to experience the astonishing and unprecedented time they would have had together. The two great men have benefited the reader by sharing their words of wisdom, knowledge and numerous instances of not two spiritual leaders but two closest friends who joyously enjoyed each other’s company teased each other and were so witty together. I personally liked the concept of segregating and describing eight different pillars of joy, four of mind and the remaining of heart. Their health and age has been a major factor in their week’s journey together and perhaps their last meeting as well. Towards the end, the book has several helpful meditation practices.
I have always been fascinated by Buddhism, seeing a lot of my friends practising it. It has more to do with philosophies than typically following a religion. On the other hand, I have lived a large portion of my academic years amongst Christians. So I understand a bit of both these worlds and the book has only added more to my existing knowledge about these two religions. I would highly recommend “The Book of Joy” to anyone who wishes have an answer to “How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?” and wants to go through the teachings of joy, the science of joy and the stories of these two inspiring beings.
Quotes From The Book And Lessons For Me:
“We suffer from a perspectival myopia. As a result, we are left nearsighted, unable to see our experience in a larger way. When we confront a challenge, we often react to the situation with fear and anger. The stress can make it hard for us to step back and see other perspectives and solutions … But if we try, we can become less fixated, or attached, to use the Buddhist term, to one outcome and can use more skilful means to handle the situation. We can see that in the most seemingly limiting circumstance we have choice and freedom.”– Dalai Lama
“As the Dalai Lama was speaking, I could not help thinking of how we try so hard, with our natural parental instinct, to save our children from pain and suffering, but when we do, we rob them of their ability to grow and learn from adversity. I recalled psychologist and Auschwitz survivor Edith Eva Eger saying that the spoiled, pampered children were the first to die at Auschwitz. They kept waiting for others to come save them, and when no one came, they gave up. They had not learned how to save themselves.”
“It does not matter whether one is a Buddhist like me, or a Christian like the Archbishop, or any other religion, or no religion at all. From the moment of birth, every human being wants to discover happiness and avoid suffering. No differences in our culture or our education or our religion affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire joy and contentment. But so often these feelings are fleeting and hard to find, like a butterfly that lands on us and then flutters away.”– Dalai Lama
“The problem is that our world and our education remain focused exclusively on external, materialistic values. We are not concerned enough with inner values. Those who grow up with this kind of education live a materialistic life and eventually, the whole society becomes materialistic. But this culture is not sufficient to tackle our human problems. The real problem is here,” the Dalai Lama said, pointing to his head.
The Archbishop tapped his chest with his fingers to emphasize the heart as well.
“And here,” the Dalai Lama echoed. ‘Mind and heart’.”- Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu