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8th out of 14 books
—
2 voters
The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness
An illuminating perspective on the science of meditation—and a handbook for transforming our minds, bodies, and lives
In The Joy of Living, world-renowned Buddhist teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche—the “happiest man in the world”—invites us to join him in unlocking the secrets to finding joy and contentment in the everyday. Using the basic meditation practices he provides, we...more
In The Joy of Living, world-renowned Buddhist teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche—the “happiest man in the world”—invites us to join him in unlocking the secrets to finding joy and contentment in the everyday. Using the basic meditation practices he provides, we...more
Paperback, 252 pages
Published
May 27th 2008
by Three Rivers Press
(first published 2007)
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Buddhism is not a religion. To a trained Buddhist, "it is a type of science, a method of exploring your own experience through techniques that enable you to examine your actions and reactions in a nonjudgmental way" (11). This book was a good intro in training to achieve a "natural mind" or Enlightenment, a mind in its natural state, free from conceptual limitations. Supposedly, "the experience of natural peace is so far beyond what we normally consider relaxation that it defies description...be...more
The Joy of Living is a book on meditation that explains how it can help you achieve happiness and also why it works, according to modern science. The combination of Buddhist wisdom and science is very interesting, and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche does a great job explaining both aspects in simple terms for laypersons.
While the first part of the book is more concerned with the whys and wherefores, the second part contains lots of different examples of meditation practices, some of which build on othe...more
While the first part of the book is more concerned with the whys and wherefores, the second part contains lots of different examples of meditation practices, some of which build on othe...more
I think I would have had a different experience with this if I'd read the book instead of listening to it. Listening in 3 hour chunks on a roadtrip didn't give me a chance to digest the content. And I really really would have liked a table of contents. I'm sure there must have been some structure, but without defined breaks and chapter/section headings I often felt confused about what the topic was.
While I feel like it was only 2 stars the way I heard it, I still want to get the actual book and...more
While I feel like it was only 2 stars the way I heard it, I still want to get the actual book and...more
Aug 25, 2009
Architeuthis
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
philosophy,
2000s
This book does several nifty things. First, it shows how concepts from Buddhism and contemporary scientific studies agree with each other. Then, it discusses some studies on people in meditation. It turns out that meditation, when done by people who have done it for a long time and are good at it, makes people incredibly happy and peaceful. (This isn't big news, but it's cool to hear how science has proven this.)
Then, the book discusses meditation techniques with a level of detail and clarity th...more
Then, the book discusses meditation techniques with a level of detail and clarity th...more
This has been the most meaningful book I've read so far on Buddhism. There were a few times when tries at humor didn't work of rme, but they were so sweet in their intention I almost blushed. Other than that it was just what I needed. Just enough over my head to make me want to read it again in a year or so and I'll read more by this author.
Before I purchased this book I was reading the back cover and found that this is what Lou Reed had to say about it:
"Mingyur Rinpoche is a charismatic teacher with a heart and smile of gold....this is one of those rare books where you meet the author and learn from his radiance."
As I was reading this book it did seem like I was carrying on a dialogue with the author;as if he were right there in front of me to answer all of my questions about meditation. It covers both the phenomenological and phy...more
"Mingyur Rinpoche is a charismatic teacher with a heart and smile of gold....this is one of those rare books where you meet the author and learn from his radiance."
As I was reading this book it did seem like I was carrying on a dialogue with the author;as if he were right there in front of me to answer all of my questions about meditation. It covers both the phenomenological and phy...more
I thought this book was very insightful and so helpful to open my eyes to the power of meditation. It is not a book about becoming a Buddhist, but more a book of how the human brain responds to meditation. If you're interested in how Buddhism and Western Neurobiology mirror each other, this is a great reference. I loved that it wasn't just about Buddhism and meditation, but he included his experiences working with the Univ of Wisconsin in the brain imaging department and how they were able to ob...more
I was surprised by how much this book floored me. I hadn't thought of the intersections between Buddhism and scientific discoveries, but he made me see it. And he demystified a lot of what I find hard about meditating. The idea of meditating in shorter bursts; the notion of just relaxing your mind (instead of straining for focus); the making contemporary of ancient teachings - all of it made Buddhist teachings and meditation practice more vivid for me. And I needed to read it. I think this is on...more
Barbi found this book and lent it to me. I am not too far into it, but it is very good. This is what I wish "Breakfast with Buddha" had been! It discusses some basic tenets of Buddhism and principles involved in meditation. The narrator has also done quite a bit of research with Western Scientists and ties the benefits of meditation in to neuroscience to explore what actually happens to the brain when one meditates. It is not an easy or a light read, but I am getting a lot out of it. Anyone is w...more
I spent 2008 studying joyfulness as a practice and a discipline (like practicing the violin, only quieter). This was one of the most instructive, useful, practical, and successful books I found. Yongey Mingyur grew up in an environment that intersected Tibetan Buddhist meditation training and research into how the brain works, so he presents information about the theory and practice of joyfulness from a universal perspective.
The key to joyfulness, like anything else, is practice. This is a grea...more
The key to joyfulness, like anything else, is practice. This is a grea...more
Back to basics and the heart of practice. This largely autobiographical book provides a little of science and some Buddhist theory/philosophy and parable to provide ground to the art and heart of meditation practice. The meditation instruction in this book is one of the best I've come across - for a beginner it's non-threatening and manageable, for the experienced Rinpoche can bring one back to the simplicity of practice - our intention, our action, our effort (of relaxation). What he says is en...more
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness is an excellent and informative book and a good practical manual for meditation. A wide variety of meditation techniques are discussed, in language that makes them accessible to even the most un-Buddhist of readers. Mingyur (Rinpoche is an honorific given to respected teachers) is a kind and encouraging teacher; his writing style is very natural and conversational, helping you feel as if he's right there...more
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I've been on a bit of a Buddhist philosophy kick. I didn't exactly start out that way, but from Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence I segued to other books he was involved with, and many of them seem to involve a great deal of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Joy of Living has much to recommend it. It is a very, very good introduction to meditation and Buddhist tradition, with regards to meditation and the discipline of living moment by moment. It is simple easy read with some very good ideas and insi...more
The Joy of Living has much to recommend it. It is a very, very good introduction to meditation and Buddhist tradition, with regards to meditation and the discipline of living moment by moment. It is simple easy read with some very good ideas and insi...more
from the library c2007 copy pp0-22, 66-69, also a 5 cd audio set,
with introduction, notes, glossary, biblio, acknowledgements, index
Forward by Daniel Goleman author of many books on emotions including
Emotional intelligence
Part one : the ground Ch 1-8 I should copy the first 22pp bio of the author to give to TG.
ch 1 Buddism is a science of the mind and lately also of the brain
ch 2 the mind is best understood as a perpetually evolving event not a distinct entity--
ch 3 beyond the mind, beyond...more
with introduction, notes, glossary, biblio, acknowledgements, index
Forward by Daniel Goleman author of many books on emotions including
Emotional intelligence
Part one : the ground Ch 1-8 I should copy the first 22pp bio of the author to give to TG.
ch 1 Buddism is a science of the mind and lately also of the brain
ch 2 the mind is best understood as a perpetually evolving event not a distinct entity--
ch 3 beyond the mind, beyond...more
Aug 08, 2007
Colleen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Literate living creatures.
I wish every foray into religion was this enjoyable. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a powerful writer with a gentle sense of humor, most noticably about himself.
To any westerner looking to explore Buddhism, READ THIS BOOK. To any person who is feeling less than enthusiastic about getting up in the morning, ditto. To those who know they're missing something, but they can't quite... well, you get the point. Read the book.
Mingyur makes Buddhism conceptually accessible to Western readers. After being d...more
To any westerner looking to explore Buddhism, READ THIS BOOK. To any person who is feeling less than enthusiastic about getting up in the morning, ditto. To those who know they're missing something, but they can't quite... well, you get the point. Read the book.
Mingyur makes Buddhism conceptually accessible to Western readers. After being d...more
Apr 25, 2013
WhiteKanye
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-the-mind,
read-in-2012
First off, i enjoyed the bio of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, i've appreciated getting to know him further than the "i had anxiexy when i was little" he mentions in his speakings.
I somehow appreciated the matching of science and practical buddhism, it sounded cautious enough to not be pushy, and the description of various types of object focused meditations i never heard Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche talking about before, thought it will take a couple of readings to have a better idea of my options.
I somehow appreciated the matching of science and practical buddhism, it sounded cautious enough to not be pushy, and the description of various types of object focused meditations i never heard Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche talking about before, thought it will take a couple of readings to have a better idea of my options.
Jun 19, 2012
Rod Hyatt
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own-it-on-the-shelf
This is the type of book that grabs you when your looking for answers. I actually read this several years ago during a time of struggle and was looking for a way to improve meditation or control my out of control busy mind. It helped me on my journey which is always a road to eternal progression. I came back to it for a current review and reminder. This book reminds me how to stop and smell the roses, to remember and be great full for what God has given me.
Sep 06, 2012
George Ramos
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
buddhism,
meditation
Beautiful and powerful book. Talks about the author's participation in neuroscience experiments that indicate meditation can change how the brain functions. It then goes on to describe the different meditation techniques used by the author and his fellow practicioners. This is done in a completely honest, almost anecdotal way: the author describes what he felt like before learning to meditate effectively, what it was like during each stage on the path, and how each tiny realiziation was brought...more
Oct 16, 2010
Katie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
happiness,
mindfulness
Fabulous, simple, inspiring and supportive instruction on mindfulness. Cuts through all those shoulds about meditating for long periods, stresses the benefit of meditating often but for very short periods. Very informative about neuroscience too, actually, it's a fascinating blend of the neuroscience and Buddhist perspectives, and it manages to be uplifting/inspiring and a great reference work at the same time.
Jun 17, 2011
Karen Jett
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who want to meditate or do already
I would read his other book also. I enjoyed the author's sense of humor and irreverence to his topic. At the same time he illustrates his deep and abiding belief in what he is writing.
I also value this book because it links theory to scientific research studies as well as providing step by step instructions on multiple types of meditation. I always felt more peaceful and hopeful after reading.
I also value this book because it links theory to scientific research studies as well as providing step by step instructions on multiple types of meditation. I always felt more peaceful and hopeful after reading.
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.
I liked the first part of the book which was a scientific approach on joy covering the basics of how our brain work. Towards the end the author explains a lot of meditation techniques which I didn't care for at the moment and didn't practice, that's why I didn't rate it better but even to know there are that many simple meditation methods for almost any circumstance was quite interesting.
Jan 11, 2009
Julie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
personal-growth,
audiobooks
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!
From this book I gleaned a look into the principles of Buddhist meditation and mindfulness. Just reading it though doesn't make me feel like I'm prepared to start meditating full time. The instructions he gives are pretty cursory and not especially instructive to someone who has pretty no concept of what he's talking about to begin with. I left feeling like I'd have to have a Buddhist monk on hand teaching me one-on-one over a long period of time. He talks a lot about how these principles have b...more
This was the "text book" for a class I took called Introduction to Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation. Well written in a modern Western voice, Yongey Mingyur teaches us that meditation is not a clearing of the mind, but an awareness of what is flowing through the mind. I had some mis-conceptions of what the Buddhist Meditation traditions are seeking during meditation, and Rinpoche Mingyur writes in a way that helps clear the clouds.
Jul 05, 2011
Bishop Bergland
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
meditation,
buddhism
Great book! I loved his approach to meditation. It's probably one of the best books I have read on meditation in that it offers a variety of approaches and methods rather than just one. I also found Rinpoche's sharing of his struggles with anxiety in his childhood to be very touching, and very much appreciated how he worked through them. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in meditation, regardless of your religious background.
"The Joy of Living" is a wonderful read, the right mix of scientific information and spiritual testimony. Yongeu Mingyur Rinpoche guides you through the basics of meditation and Buddhist practices with a clear skeptical and humble voice reflecting the benefits of mindfulness- as his story of anxiety and fear and ultimate transformation testifies.
This provided great insight into the scientific foundations for Buddhist meditative practices as well as a guide to becoming "better" at meditating. I refer to it often. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in science, spirituality, or would just like to feel more relaxed.
I'm always a little hesitant to post things related to my sporadic vague searching for spirituality.
However, I have to review this, since this book presented some of the most accessible explanations about how and why to meditate I've seen. As mentioned by other reviewers, his youth and large amount of contact with Western society probably explains it.
However, I have to review this, since this book presented some of the most accessible explanations about how and why to meditate I've seen. As mentioned by other reviewers, his youth and large amount of contact with Western society probably explains it.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tebetian Buddhism | 1 | 7 | Feb 20, 2010 06:38pm | |
| Buddhism | 1 | 4 | Aug 26, 2008 02:50pm | |
| Buddhism | 1 | 3 | Aug 26, 2008 02:50pm |
Jun 24, 2012 08:27am