The Invitation to Joy ix
Introduction 1
Arrival: We Are Fragile Creatures 11
Day 1 The Nature of True Joy 27
Why Are You Not Morose? 29
Nothing Beautiful Comes Without Some Suffering 43
Have You Renounced Pleasure? 51
Our Greatest Joy 59
Lunch: The Meeting of Two Mischievous People Is Wonderful 67
Days 2&3 The Obstacles to Joy 81
You Are a Masterpiece in the Making 83
Fear, Stress, and Anxiety: I Would Be Very Nervous 93
Frustration and Anger: I Would Shout 101
Sadness and Grief: The Hard Times Knit Us More Closely Together 109
Despair: The World Is in Such Turmoil 115
Loneliness: No Need for Introduction 125
Envy: That Guy Goes Past Yet Again in His Mercedes-Benz 135
Suffering and Adversity: Passing through Difficulties 145
Illness and Fear of Death: I Prefer to Go to Hell 159
Meditation: Now I'll Tell You a Secret Thing 171
Days 4&5 The Eight Pillars of Joy 191
1. Perspective: There Are Many Different Angles 193
2. Humility: I Tried to Look Humble and Modest 203
3. Humor: Laughter, Joking Is Much Better 215
4. Acceptance: The Only Place Where Change Can Begin 223
5. Forgiveness: Freeing Ourselves from the Past 229
6. Gratitude: I Am Fortunate to Be Alive 241
7. Compassion: Something We Want to Become 251
8. Generosity: We Are Filled with Joy 263
Celebration: Dancing in the Streets of Tibet 277
Departure: A Final Goodbye 291
Joy Practices 307
Acknowledgments 349