The Book of Joy is composed of three primary sections: Day 1: The Nature of Joy, Day 2 & 3: The Obstacles to Joy, Day 4 & 5: The Eight Pillars of Joy. Here, you may explore more about the book, related works, and more.
Whether you read the book in its entirety or just a handful of chapters, we've created a community canvas course, The Book of Joy, that provides chapter summaries, discussion questions, related activities and resources. All members of the campus community are welcome and encouraged to join the course and to reuse content as is meaningful.
The Invitation to Joy
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Introduction Themes: Gathering, Humility, Humanity |
Arrival: We Fragile Creatures Themes: Respect, Affection, Friendship |
Day one: The Nature of True Joy
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Why are you not morose?
Themes: Inner values, suffering, compassion, mind, heart |
Our Greatest Joy
Themes: Interdependence, Humanity, Compassion |
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Nothing Beautiful comes without suffering
Themes: Perspective, Compassion, Gratitude, Generosity |
Lunch: The Meeting of Two Mischievous People is wonderful Themes: Trust, Friendship, Humanity, Parenthood |
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Have you renounced pleasure
Themes: Satisfaction, Compassion, Generosity, Cooperation |
Day Two & Three Obstacles to Joy
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You are a masterpiece in the making
Themes: Frustration, Self Compassion, Resilience, Forgiveness |
Loneliness: No need for introduction Themes: Loneliness, Self-focus, Warmheartedness, Connection |
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Fear, stress, and anxiety: I would be very nervous Themes: Resilience, Stress, Connection, Perception |
Envy: That guy goes past yet again in his mercedes-benz
Themes: Jealousy, Materialism, Compassion, Sympathy |
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Frustration and anger: I would shout Themes: Anger, Frustration, Hurt, Fear, Connection, Compassion |
Suffering and adversity: Passing through difficulties Themes: Generosity, Suffering, Compassion |
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Sadness and Grief: The hard times knit us more closely together Themes: Sadness, Grief, Love, Compassion |
Illness and fear of death: I prefer to got to hell Themes: Death, Impermanence, Meaning |
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Despair: The world is in such turmoil Themes: Suffering, sorrow, turmoil |
Meditation: Now I’ll tell you a secret thing Themes: Compassion, Shared humanity, Contemplation |
Day 4 & 5: The Eight Pillars of Joy
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Perspective: There are many different angles Themes: Perspective, Transformation, Choice, Attachment |
Forgiveness: Freeing ourselves from the past Themes: Forgiveness, Healing, Compassion |
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Humility: I tried to look humble and modest Themes: Humility, Pride, Arrogance, Interdependence |
Gratitude: I am fortunate to be alive Themes: Gratitude, Perspective, Blessings |
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Humor: Laughter, Joking is much better Themes: Connection, Humanity, Laughter, Calm |
Compassion: Something we want to become Themes: Compassion, Suffering, Well being, Nurture |
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Acceptance: The only place where change can begin Themes: Acceptance, Release, Expectations, Curiosity |
Generosity: We are filled with joy Themes: Generosity, Purpose, Interconnectedness |
Conclusion
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Celebration: Dancing in the streets of Tibet
Themes: Celebration, Loss, Hope, Story |
Joy Practices |
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Departure: A final goodbye
Themes: Urgency, Hope, Humanity, Change |
Works Cited
Recommended Collections
with Kristin Neff
UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness
With Tara Brach
With Dr. Dacher Keltner
With the Crown Institute
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