The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is fascinating. One must be familiar with the tenets of Buddhism to grasp its fullest meanings and benefits. Much of Mingyur’s discussion was focused on understanding how the mind works. As a world-renowned Buddhist, he was able to bring to bear his Tibetan background, and that of the neurosciences practiced at some American universities.
Underlying his framework, this monk taught his followers the correct ways to meditate. His teachings were based on Buddha’s philosophy, and years of personal experiences. He stressed “object” and “objectless” meditation. How to quiet one’s mind, and observe the thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and images that arise. Mention was made of an individual’s correct posture, and what it means to experience “emptiness” that doesn’t mean void.
The pictures in our head are unreal. They appear mainly through five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. The sixth sense proprioceptive sensations are considered a mystery, for people are largely unaware of them. Mingyur stressed that many tend to rely more on a particular sense when they meditate. But regardless, his advice was to take things slowly, and be patient. He wrote that because of individual differences people tend to progress at different rates. The key was to start meditation with brief moments throughout the day, and gradually build up. Its benefits will nurture better health, peace of mind, a greater understanding of sentient beings, lovingkindness, and more compassionate living. ( )

This book would have had more JOY without all the interfering Science and repetition and Dr. Davidson's experiments.

Meditations which finally came at the end were welcome. ( )

I just finished Joy of Living by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. A great book for the New Year. This book combines meditation practice with some scientific backround on how different parts of the brain and the rest of your body are impacted by meditation. I enjoyed the humor and lightheartedness of the author - definitely someone I would like to learn more about. And a wonderful narration by Campbell Scott! ( )

this was the right book at the right time for me. Rinpoche is both a Buddhist monk and a scientific thinker who has talked and worked with many scientists. I enjoyed very much the synthesis of ideas and the many meditation techniques shared. It's a simple book but it's given me a lot to think about. I've always been Buddhist in philosophy but I think this is the book that will push me into actual practice. ( )

A friend recommended this book to me and it was recommended so that I could learn to calm my mind and live with everyday stresses and it is an amazing book to help with that; I love the way it is written and the humor with which he writes and gently chides us to listen to ourselves and believe that we can become what we want to become with just a little effort; I recommend this to anyone who is wanting to rest their mind and live fully in the here and now.