Dannel I. Schwartz, writing with Mark Hass, brings to life ancient concepts of Jewish mysticism and applies them to the modern quest for meaning. Using illustrative material from rabbinic teachers, Talmudic thinkers, proverbs, and contemporary celebrities, the spiritual leader of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield, Michigan, shows how happiness stems from positive emotions, gratitude, visualizations, and a mystical appreciation of the sacred dimensions of everyday life.
For Schwartz and Hass, joy is a deep down satisfaction that comes from "collaborating with God in our destiny." They emphasize again and again the practical nature of spirituality. At the end of each chapter are "exercises for the soul." They make it clear that "we have the power to control our reactions to the things life brings us." That is why perfectionism poisons and negativity puts a pall on our best projects. Finding Joy hits the mark with its depiction of the nature of spiritual maturity.
