The Joy of Living

Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness

By: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Eric Swanson

Narrated by: Eric Swanson, Jason Scott Campbell

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

For millennia, Buddhists have enjoyed the limitless benefits of meditation. But how does it work?

In this groundbreaking book, world-renowned Buddhist teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche invites us to join him in unlocking the secrets behind the practice of meditation. With an infectious joy and insatiable curiosity, he weaves together the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, neuroscience, and quantum physics in a way that will forever change the way we understand the human experience. Using the basic meditation practices he provides, we can discover paths through everyday problems, transforming obstacles into opportunities to recognize the unlimited potential of our own minds.

With an introduction by co-author Eric Swanson, The Joy of Living is a stunning breakthrough, an illuminating vision of the science of Buddhism and a handbook for transforming our minds, bodies, and lives.

©2007 Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (P)2007 Random House Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"This book is a fresh breath from the meditation room, written with kindness, energy, and wit. Three cheers for a cheerful contemplative." (Publishers Weekly)

Some things are left out

Great book. I got the kindle version to read along and discovered several instances of subsections left out.

love it

love it. it brings reality to meditations and slows for it to be a grasped. it it beneficial for both novice and more seasoned spiritual practices as well.

Audiobook version shorter than textbook

Wanting to revisit specific sections I also bought the book, identical cover and edition. Every other page I notice new sections redacted from the audiobook version, now listening and reading at the same time. I do not see the reason for their removal from the "new york bestseller" version to this audiobook and in my opinion it strips awsy a lot of the humour and kindness from the book. Still love it, though.

Great book to help you with understanding the concepts of meditation

have found the book that will help you understand the process of meditation and the spiritual journey.
Namaste
Brinn Tomes
Neuro Synthesist

I did not realize this was abridged.

Any additional comments?

I am just now seeing that this was the abridged version. I feel like I still learned significantly about Buddhist mindfulness and meditation and what I learned was presented in a way that I could easy implement these ideas in my life. No, I am not Buddhist or interested in converting.

I have practiced some of the suggested

The Joy of Living

This is a book that needs to be listened to more then once. Great book for those who are aware and for those who are seeking.

Although abridged, good. Narration excellent.

This book is very good for an overall view of the Buddhist philosophy in regards to meditation and mindfulness. I almost enjoy the narration more than this basic book. These narrators are extraordinary. I would believe that they wrote the book. I don't really know how to explain it, but having faced many audio books where the narrator apparently didn't know what he was reading, so things didn't make sense, and having listened to parts of books where the narrator's voice is irritating one way or the other, I am so impressed by the men who read this book.

Tibetan wisdom explained in the language of science

I saw quite a few YouTube videos prior to read this book. I simply thought Mingyur Rinpoche is only one of the new generation of Tibetan monks who is really funny. Oh no, I was wrong. He is the living proof of what happens when a genius became a monk.

After reading this book, I can see his humor is the lotus flower on top of the muddy pond.
He is so intellectual and surely a genius.
He clearly explained how our mind works and why it is to hard to meditate and how to do it right with a great compassion.

My deep appreciations, Rinpoche.

Opened new perspectives

I really enjoyed this. It was like listening to someone with lots of great ideas and simple yet effective ways of thinking. I would recommend this to everyone, specially those looking to find peace in their life.

Great Introduction to Buddhist Meditation

I have studied Buddhism in an academic setting, but this book is the first “popular” guidebook to practice I have read. I deeply enjoyed it and plan to expand and deepen my meditation practice. The Rinpoche is a humble, gifted and very human teacher whose unique life experiences can help him connect with modern Western audiences, or anyone for whom these ideas are unfamiliar. He seems like a naturally curious and modern guy, and there are fascinating asides about neuroscience and evolutionary psychology that explain why meditation works to relieve stress and enhance mental clarity and positive emotions. The techniques and teachings described are pretty universal in their application, and can be practiced by people of other faiths, and also atheists or agnostics. The audiobook is especially warm and friendly. The narrator has a no-nonsense, slightly “blue collar” or “Brooklyn/Philly” way of speaking that universalizes the message even further, blurring boundaries between East and West. Highly recommended!