In The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, co-authors Douglas Abrams, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share their discussion on the nature of joy and the methods to achieve it in the face of adversity. Originally published in 2016, this work falls within the genre of spiritual and self-help literature. The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, and Archbishop Tutu, a leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, bring their experience in overcoming adversity and finding joy in challenging circumstances. Their collaboration offers an intersection of Buddhist and Christian perspectives, informing the book’s thematic exploration of The Role of Adversity and Suffering in Personal Growth, The Practice of Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Generosity, and The Nature and Sources of True Joy. 

This guide refers to the 2016 Penguin Publishing Group Kindle edition.

Summary

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World is a collaborative exploration of joy and happiness by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and editor Douglas Abrams. The book encapsulates a week-long conversation between these two spiritual leaders in Dharamsala, India, potentially their last meeting due to health and political reasons.

The narrative begins with the arrival of Archbishop Tutu in Dharamsala. Over the course of their discussions, Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama identify eight pillars of joy, dividing these into two categories: qualities of the mind (perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance) and those of the heart (forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity).

The book is interspersed with personal anecdotes and teachings from both leaders, reflecting their experiences with adversity––primarily the Dalai Lama’s exile from Tibet and Archbishop Tutu’s role in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. These stories provide context for their insights on overcoming obstacles to joy, such as fear, stress, anxiety, frustration, anger, sadness, grief, despair, loneliness, envy, suffering, adversity, illness, and the fear of death.

Each day of their meeting is marked by discussions on these themes, interspersed with moments of humor and emotional connection. They explore practices like developing mental immunity, setting daily intentions, breathing exercises, analytic meditation, prayer, compassion exercises, and reflective practices to foster joy and mental well-being.

A key theme is the interplay between joy and suffering, with both leaders agreeing that while suffering is an inevitable aspect of life, it can also be a powerful catalyst for developing compassion and deeper joy. They emphasize the importance of a compassionate and generous outlook towards others, highlighting how these qualities are interwoven with the experience of joy.

The book culminates in a celebration at the Tibetan Children’s Village, marking the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. This event, amidst the backdrop of the Tibetan struggle, symbolizes the resilience and hope central to their teachings. In their final goodbye, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu reflect on the purpose of their collaboration––to spread a message of joy, peace, and compassion in a world rife with suffering. Despite the challenges facing the world, they emphasize the potential for joy and kindness inherent in every human being.