The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

by Dalai Lama XIV

No dark fate determines the future. We do. Each day and each moment, we are able to create and re-create our lives and the very quality of human life on our planet. This is the power we wield.

Lasting happiness cannot be found in pursuit of any goal or achievement. It does not reside in fortune or fame. It resides only in the human mind and heart,

Every day is a new opportunity to begin again. Every day is your birthday.

Suffering is inevitable, they said, but how we respond to that suffering is our choice. Not even oppression or occupation can take away this freedom to choose our response.

Joy subsumes happiness. Joy is the far greater thing.

It is one of those incredible things that joy can come so quickly from suffering.

There’s a Tibetan saying: ‘Wherever you have friends that’s your country, and wherever you receive love, that’s your home.’”

prayer is when we speak to God, and meditation is when God answers.

Every day, think as you wake up, ‘I am fortunate to be alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it,’” the Dalai Lama has often said.

our book is part of this important process to help spread the message that love, kindness, and affection are the source of joy and happiness.

That’s the goal of human life—to live with joy and purpose.”