The Book of Joy

By Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams

Book cover of The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

Book description

Two spiritual giants. Seven days. One timeless question.

'The ultimate source of happiness is within us.' DALAI LAMA

'We grow in kindness when our kindness is tested.' DESMOND TUTU

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama have been friends for many, many years. Between them, they have endured exile, violence…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Book of Joy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Our world is so very challenging and it is easy to get overwhelmed with what isn’t right/needs fixing.

The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have seen both personal and world hardship up close, and yet both have found ways of finding joy each day despite this. Being both grounded and finding joy in the little things helps our mental health, and this conversation between these two was both light and reflective and immensely useful to me, when feeling challenged by all that was in front of me. A joy to read and to apply in real life.

For me enduring joy has been elusive and too easily stolen. 

This book provides an active course for capturing it and holding on to it. One area that hit the bullseye for me was the need for laughter in the maintenance of joy. I was rewarded as a child for being serious and responsible. 

As a result, they are my learned defaults. The truth, however, is that they are not my natural way. Those close to me always note that I am funny, but if you are just meeting me or encounter me in a work setting, you would never…

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