Awakening Joy

10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness

By: James Baraz, Shoshana Alexander

Narrated by: James Baraz, Shoshana Alexander

Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Joy is not for just the lucky few - it's a choice anyone can make. In this groundbreaking book, based on his popular course, James Baraz helps you discover a path to the happiness that's right in front of you, offering a step-by-step program that will reorient your mind away from dissatisfaction and distraction and toward the contentment and delight that is abundantly available in our everyday lives. You can decide to be happy.

For years, James Baraz's online Awakening Joy course has offered participants from around the world the benefits of this simple but profoundly radical proposition. Grounded in simple Buddhist principles but accessible to people of all faiths- or no faith at all - this concept provides the jumping-off point for a transformational journey toward a richer, more meaningful, more positive outlook on life.

Now listeners everywhere can follow the same 10 steps Baraz teaches to his program participants. In this practical down-to-earth guide, you will learn how to:

• Make happiness a habit by inclining your mind toward states that lead to well-being
• Find joy, even during difficult times, and avoid the pitfalls that prevent you from achieving the contentment you seek
• Cultivate effective practices for sustaining joyfulness, such as reclaiming your natural sense of wonder and finding joy in the midst of everyday experiences

Each chapter of Awakening Joy consists of one step in Baraz's 10-step program and includes engaging exercises and practical advice to make happiness your natural default setting. For everyone from the cynic, despondent over life's many sorrows, to the harried commuter raging at freeway traffic, this book offers up a simple yet powerful message of hope, grounded in the realization that joy already exists inside every one of us. Like a precious child, it only needs to be recognized, embraced, and nurtured in order to grow to its full potential.

©2010 James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

I listen to Awakening Joy over and over

No matter where I pick up in the book, it has just the right story or lesson for me. I've recommended this book many times.

Many stories of people stuck in one unhappy or unhealthy mindset that get freed up by small changes anyone can make. James and Shoshana plant many seeds of possibility for joy that begin to bloom in people's lives. Their voices are very calming yet assertive. I LOVE this book.

Awakening Joy

Excellent book - but the chapters are incorrect ....for example chapter is listed as 6 - but is actually chapter 5. Yes - on Audible.

Production problem: hissing sound!

There is an annoying high-pitched hiss on every "s" syllable in the narration which detracts from the narrative. Ironically, while being instructed to meditate, the hissing was my focus. I enjoyed the book once I was able to tune out the hissing.

Awakening Joy is a great resource for joy !!

Where does Awakening Joy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top ones, many excercises to try along the way and reenforce what you are learning.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them.

Have you listened to any of James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh

Any additional comments?

Great book I highly recommend it

Planting seeds of joy.

This book is packed with wisdom that is both practical and magical! It’s great to work alone, with a friend or to take his class! The timeless teachings are delivered in a useful way so everyone can participate at what ever time/ skill level is available to them. Joy isn’t an overnight course. It’s like planting a seed. With the right amount of water, sun, care, fertilizer and patience you too can experience the possibility of a JOY tree. It may look different than you expected but I imagine it’s greater and more accessible than you ever thought possible!

Simply Wonderful!

THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK! It's a great read. The steps are easy to follow and very helpful. I have gifted this book nore than 10 times. I highly recommend it!!!

I simply cannot

BORING! The monotone voice of the narrator is absolutely hilarious considering this book is called “Awakening joy”.. He does not seem joyful at all perhaps if I read said book, it could be interesting. This was a total disappointment as an audible book. Sad I wasted my credit.

Excellent, a joyful path to a joyful life.

I did a joy and mindfulness workshop with Jamie last year and got this book to support and expand what we covered over that weekend. This book has done just that. An excellent read/listen, and one I'm sure I will go back to time and again.

This awakened joy within me.

The only experience that is better than reading this book is the joy that this book gives because what this book does is teach how to feel joy.

I don't understand why I would need to read another book on this topic.

I feel so grateful.

Very informative and insightful on the paths towards Joy

The book provided a great collection of the author's experiences and insights on the ways of finding more joy in one's life. I think many of these insights will be applicable to my life and I am looking forward to relistening to the book again. I wish the reading speed was a bit faster though and personally preferred the male reader's voice to the women's.