CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

THE INVITATION TO JOY

INTRODUCTION

Arrival: We Are Fragile Creatures

DAY 1
The Nature of True Joy

Why Are You Not Morose?

Nothing Beautiful Comes Without Some Suffering

Have You Renounced Pleasure?

Our Greatest Joy

Lunch: The Meeting of Two Mischievous People Is Wonderful

DAYS 2 & 3
The Obstacles to Joy

You Are a Masterpiece in the Making

Fear, Stress, and Anxiety: I Would Be Very Nervous

Frustration and Anger: I Would Shout

Sadness and Grief: The Hard Times Knit Us More Closely Together

Despair: The World Is in Such Turmoil

Loneliness: No Need for Introduction

Envy: That Guy Goes Past Yet Again in His Mercedes-Benz

Suffering and Adversity: Passing through Difficulties

Illness and Fear of Death: I Prefer to Go to Hell

Meditation: Now I’ll Tell You a Secret Thing

DAYS 4 & 5
The Eight Pillars of Joy

1. Perspective: There Are Many Different Angles

2. Humility: I Tried to Look Humble and Modest

3. Humor: Laughter, Joking Is Much Better

4. Acceptance: The Only Place Where Change Can Begin

5. Forgiveness: Freeing Ourselves from the Past

6. Gratitude: I Am Fortunate to Be Alive

7. Compassion: Something We Want to Become

8. Generosity: We Are Filled with Joy

Celebration: Dancing in the Streets of Tibet

Departure: A Final Goodbye

Joy Practices

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

AUTHOR BIOS