The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

by Dalai Lama XIV

Accepting circumstances as they are, because if there are circumstances that you cannot change, then it’s no use beating your head against a brick wall; that just gives you a headache.

I have heard it said that prayer is when we speak to God, and meditation is when God answers.

whereas this kind of humor says, ‘Come stand next to me and let’s laugh at me together, then we can laugh at you together.’ It does not belittle either of us but uplifts us, allows us to recognize and laugh about our shared humanity, about our shared vulnerabilities, our shared frailties.

“Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?”

When we react, we stay locked in judgment and criticism, anxiety and despair, even denial and addiction. It is impossible to experience joy when we are stuck this way. Acceptance is the sword that cuts through all of this resistance, allowing us to relax, to see clearly, and to respond appropriately.

Forgiveness allows us to move beyond the past and appreciate the present, including the drops of rain falling on our face.

you gave and it then seems like in fact you are making space for more to be given to you.

Researcher Elizabeth Dunn and her colleagues found that people experience greater happiness when they spend money on others than when they spend it on themselves.

‘We must learn to live together as sisters and brothers, or we will perish together as fools.’