The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

by Dalai Lama XIV

Gratitude is the elevation of enjoyment, the ennobling of enjoyment.

It moves us away from the narrow-minded focus on fault and lack and to the wider perspective of benefit and abundance.

Unforgiveness robs us of our ability to enjoy and appreciate our life, because we are trapped in a past filled with anger and bitterness.

When we rejoice, we celebrate our good fortune and the good fortune of

If we are grateful for what is, will we be less likely to work for what still needs

that grateful people do not seem to ignore or deny the negative aspects of life; they simply choose to appreciate what is positive

Compassion Cultivation Training at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine. In his marvelous book A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives,

Compassion is in many ways expanding this maternal instinct that was so pivotal to the survival of our species.

compassion is actually a skill that can be cultivated.

“we are social animals.

So therefore, if you want a happy life and fewer problems, you have to develop a serious concern for the well-being of others.

The incredible thing is that when we think of alleviating

other people’s suffering, our own suffering is reduced.

Compassion also seems to be contagious. When we see others being compassionate, we are more likely to be compassionate. This results in a feeling called “moral elevation,”

We fear compassion because we’re afraid of experiencing the suffering, the vulnerability, and the helplessness that can come with having an open heart.

handle others’ distress. One of the differences between empathy and compassion is that while empathy is simply experiencing another’s emotion, compassion is a more empowered state where we want what is best for the other person.

People tend to feel anxious and depressed because they expect themselves to have more, be more, achieve more. Even when people are successful and grab

all the brass rings, they often feel like failures or frauds, just waiting to fall off the merry-go-round. Jinpa explains, “Lack of self-compassion manifests in a harsh and judgmental relationship with ourselves.

Many people believe that unless they are critical and demanding, they wil...

of recognition and undeservin...

When we treat ourselves with compassion, we accept that there are parts of our personality that we may not be satisfied with, but we do not ber...

When we go through a difficult time, we are caring and kind to ourselves, as we would be to a friend or relative....

way, we remind ourselve...

people have these feelings or ...

When we close our heart, we cannot be joyful. When we have the courage to live with an open heart, we are able to feel our pain and the pain of others,

but we are also able to experience more joy.

we don’t need to wait until the feelings

of compassion arise before we choose to be generous.

It is one of the five pillars

of Islam, called zakat. In Judaism, it is called tzedakah, which literally means “justice.” In Hinduism and Buddhism, it is called dana. And in Christianity, it is charity.

“At that moment I realized

When you become so inward looking, so self-regarding, you are going to end up a shriveled human being.”

in Buddhist teachings there are three kinds of generosity: material giving, giving freedom from fear (which can involve protection, counseling, or solace), and spiritual giving, which can involve giving your wisdom, moral and ethical teachings, and helping people to be more self-sufficient and happier.

If you build the real concept of working together, and the profit is shared together, then real harmony develops.

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

the generosity of the spirit. The quality they both have, perhaps more than any other, is this generosity of the spirit. They are big-hearted, magnanimous, tolerant, broad-minded, patient, forgiving, and kind.