Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is an internationally known and respected Tibetan Buddhist Master. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Joy of Living. For more information about his teaching and activities visit www.mingyur.org.
Yongey Mingyur is convinced that much of the anxiety of our times is due to all the time and energy invested in "outer wealth" at the expense of cultivating "inner wealth" — such qualities as compassion, patience, generosity, and equanimity. When the time comes to square off against the major challenges of life all people want to do is run or succumb. The author posits a third way explored by Buddhism: befriending our trials and tribulations and working through them. For example, he analyzes the anxiety of our times in a discussion of suffering, change, and restlessness and concludes:
"I've begun to develop a greater appreciation for those moments in which I experience pain or discomfort. Each one is a seed of deeper understanding, an opportunity to get to know my mind a little bit better, and to observe ideas about myself and the world around me that I didn't even know I had."
In part two of the book, the author examines in detail three transformative tools through which we can embrace both the changes and the challenges in our lives. These meditation practices are attention, insight, and empathy. The last one moves us beyond the separateness behind so many personal and interpersonal problems and connects us with others. Empathy also "opens our minds to a profound experience of fearlessness and confidence while transforming personal problems into a strong motivation to help others."
The last section of the book applies these three practices to everyday problems. The author quotes Helen Keller who once said: "You will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles." This part and parcel of what Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche means by joyful wisdom.
