The Book of Joy – Book Review

What happens when two prominent spiritual leaders – Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama – come together to solve big questions of life? The result, in this case, is The Book of Joy; a fascinating exploration of human happiness which unites key philosophical insights from both Eastern and Western thought. The book reveals the musings of two men who spent a week in Dharamsala discussing how to find meaning in the face of suffering.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are in distinct positions to write this compelling book together. Drawing upon fifty years of exile and oppression, they know (likely more than most) about how to endure suffering throughout long periods of time. How do you maintain a healthy mindset – even joy – in the midst of great difficulty and (seemingly) insurmountable challenges? The Book of Joy is compelling because it does not argue that happiness is found by avoiding hardship. Rather, it is found by facing it and caring for the well-being of others.

There is a famous biblical saying that it is “better to give than receive” ((Acts 20:35). The Book of Joy provides first-hand accounts from recent human experience, from people of many faiths and none, showing this to be true. The pages are interwoven powerfully with tales of apartheid in South Africa and oppression in Tibet, illustrating the power of people coming together.

Some readers may be looking for a systematic treatise on how to face suffering with inner joy. Although The Book of Joy contains many deep insights, its core message is relatively simple and it relishes in following a natural conversation between two good men. This makes you feel like you are sitting down over dinner with Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, more than a mere fly on the wall. The content is not “preachy” at all and is accessible to a wide audience.

The end result of The Book of Joy is to encourage you to think more about the lives of others, not just your own. Whilst the two men sometimes differ in their opinions, they show how to accept these graciously and remain friends. This, in itself, is a key skill that has perhaps been somewhat lost in today’s world of social media “echo chambers” and polarisation. Part of true joy is found in having meaningful conversations and connections with others who you may not always agree with. This book is a key reminder to come together, as much as possible, rather than rush to raising – and keeping up – dividing walls which only serve to isolate us.

Overall, The Book of Joy is a great resource to help those looking to develop a more fulfilled life of joy, even if life is not always easy. We commend this book to you! Buy the book for your kindle or the hardcover version from Amazon using the link below.