| Joyful Wisdom by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is my | | | | was a real mind blower for me! |
| favorite book I have read recently. I've never tried | | | | Although the author is Buddhist these concepts and |
| meditation or studied Buddhism but have always | | | | ideas can be practiced along with, and complement |
| been interested in the concepts of it, such as | | | | many other religions. For example, a central concept |
| focusing your mind and being at peace. Also I like it | | | | of the book is learning to empathize with others and |
| because it may help to quiet the anxieties and | | | | practice loving kindness towards everyone. As a |
| troubles that the world's imprint leaves on me (and | | | | Christian, his ideas on how to develop empathy really |
| you). The author states that Buddhist meditation | | | | helped me. Lately I have felt pretty closed off and |
| practice provides "the opportunity to use difficult | | | | sometimes pessimistic towards others in my life and |
| conditions- and the disturbing emotions that usually | | | | the human race. I plan on incorporating his ideas and |
| accompany them- to unlock the power and potential | | | | meditation techniques to try to help me feel more |
| of the human mind." Sounds great to me! | | | | interconnected to the human race again:). |
| What really hit home for me was the emotional | | | | Also fascinating was the lack of "individualism" in |
| thought management techniques. Basically through | | | | Buddhism. He explains that in western culture there is |
| meditation and practice a person can separate their | | | | so much pressure on the self- finding yourself, |
| thoughts and emotions and view them more | | | | making yourself happy. This is really a moot point. |
| objectively (kind of like when you see yourself in a | | | | People are constantly changing, even on a cellular |
| dream, you see yourself in third person, outside of | | | | level. Obviously the person you are today is not the |
| yourself). There are many important reasons for | | | | same person you were 5 years ago, or even 1 year |
| separating out your thoughts and emotions. First, you | | | | ago. So, in western culture we are continuously trying |
| are no longer allowing your thoughts and emotions to | | | | to "find" ourselves, when a real defined, unchanging |
| control you which allows you to become liberated | | | | self simply does not exist. I really identified with this, |
| from them. I can appreciate this concept because | | | | and have never really been introduced to such a |
| throughout my life I've had issues with depression, | | | | radical perspective. |
| anxiety, and anger. By distancing yourself from your | | | | Although the author is Buddhist these concepts and |
| thoughts and emotions it allows you to view them | | | | ideas can be practiced along with, and complement |
| objectively, and many times quell them. It prevents | | | | many other religions. For example, a central concept |
| you from being negatively effected and upset by the | | | | of the book is learning to empathize with others and |
| ups and downs that emotions and thoughts can have | | | | practice loving kindness towards everyone. As a |
| on your body and mind. | | | | Christian, his ideas on how to develop empathy really |
| Also, you no longer define yourself by your thoughts | | | | helped me. Lately I have felt pretty closed off and |
| and emotions (which change so frequently and are so | | | | sometimes pessimistic towards others in my life and |
| flighty!). You start to recognize that you are having | | | | the human race. I plan on incorporating his ideas and |
| certain thoughts or emotions, but don't incorporate | | | | meditation techniques to try to help me feel more |
| that into your self worth (ex: I am having depressing | | | | interconnected to the human race again:). |
| and lonely thoughts and feelings versus I am a | | | | Anyways, the book was very well-written, relatable, |
| depressed and lonely person). This will allow you to | | | | and fun to read. A definite two thumbs up, anyone |
| feel a variety of emotions and think many different | | | | can learn from it and become a more enlightened |
| thoughts without it effecting your self-esteem. This | | | | person. |