The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness

A book that may transform your life. If you enjoy works by Eckhart Tolle, this book might be for you. I feel like every buddhist teacher has a unique perspective and can tell you something new. Or maybe just remind you.

Remind you, that you are not the thoughts you think.
Remind you, to free yourself of the illusion that your thoughts are always trustworthy. And your thoughts can be really convincing.
Remind you, to notice the gaps between you and the thoughts and emotions you have.

We are not slaves to our thoughts. Everyone wants to be happy and avoid suffering. In that, we are all the same. And we are all the same in much more. I feel more deeply connected and compassionate with all the beings due to the book.

Mindfulness is a journey, show more not a destination. I gladly embark on this journey.

Thank you, Rinpoche Yongey Mingyur. show less

A masterpiece!

No other introduction to the Buddhist science-of-mind and associated practice of meditation has been so gentle and "forgiving" as Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's "The Joy of Living."

Mind you, I am NOT saying that Buddhists are not forgiving, I am saying that we, ourselves, are often unforgiving of ourselves when practicing meditation for the first time. This book helps the beginner get past one's own unforgiving nature which seems to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to continuing practice.

It is also refreshing to know that one CAN be mindful even when one "loses focus", as long as one is aware of losing focus. This helps one feel successful, even when one is grappling with the "monkey-mind" and even daily interactions of a show more busy existence.

Though Rinpoche (addressing him by his honorific title) explains that it is impossible (and counterproductive during meditation) to conceptualize regarding Buddhist science of mind, he does a wonderful job of putting the ideas and philosophy into terms that Westerners can make sense of. Coupling that with Western scientific ideas as he does, one gains a direct recipe for attaining happiness.

It is difficult for me to paraphrase or cull the ideas presented in this book, but I can vouch for their resonance with recent discoveries and theories of prominent neuroscientists. (Read "The Mindful Brain" by Dan Siegel, M.D. for an overview and excellent references.)

I will use this book as a guide for my own practice.

Note that the Buddhist "science-of-mind" or "philosophy", as Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche describes it here is NON-sectarian, non-religious, and can be applied by anyone and everyone. I recommend this book highly! show less

The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is fascinating. One must be familiar with the tenets of Buddhism to grasp its fullest meanings and benefits. Much of Mingyur’s discussion was focused on understanding how the mind works. As a world-renowned Buddhist, he was able to bring to bear his Tibetan background, and that of the neurosciences practiced at some American universities.
Underlying his framework, this monk taught his followers the correct ways to meditate. His teachings were based on Buddha’s philosophy, and years of personal experiences. He stressed “object” and “objectless” meditation. How to quiet one’s mind, and observe the thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and show more images that arise. Mention was made of an individual’s correct posture, and what it means to experience “emptiness” that doesn’t mean void.
The pictures in our head are unreal. They appear mainly through five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. The sixth sense proprioceptive sensations are considered a mystery, for people are largely unaware of them. Mingyur stressed that many tend to rely more on a particular sense when they meditate. But regardless, his advice was to take things slowly, and be patient. He wrote that because of individual differences people tend to progress at different rates. The key was to start meditation with brief moments throughout the day, and gradually build up. Its benefits will nurture better health, peace of mind, a greater understanding of sentient beings, lovingkindness, and more compassionate living. show less

A Gen X Buddhist monk who's hip (or whatever the Xer word for that is) to science tells us how to meditate and shows scientifically, why we should meditate. The evidence is that rigorous and disciplined meditation can actually change the brain. Change your mind, change your life. This kid's got it going on and likely has a bright and productive future ahead. Proof of reincarnation?

I just finished Joy of Living by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. A great book for the New Year. This book combines meditation practice with some scientific backround on how different parts of the brain and the rest of your body are impacted by meditation. I enjoyed the humor and lightheartedness of the author - definitely someone I would like to learn more about. And a wonderful narration by Campbell Scott!

this was the right book at the right time for me. Rinpoche is both a Buddhist monk and a scientific thinker who has talked and worked with many scientists. I enjoyed very much the synthesis of ideas and the many meditation techniques shared. It's a simple book but it's given me a lot to think about. I've always been Buddhist in philosophy but I think this is the book that will push me into actual practice.

A friend recommended this book to me and it was recommended so that I could learn to calm my mind and live with everyday stresses and it is an amazing book to help with that; I love the way it is written and the humor with which he writes and gently chides us to listen to ourselves and believe that we can become what we want to become with just a little effort; I recommend this to anyone who is wanting to rest their mind and live fully in the here and now.