As a companion to last year’s book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu The Book of Forgiving (179 T), the church library now has The Book of Joy, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World (179 T).

In 2015, longtime friends and two of the world’s most famous spiritual leaders, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama met for a week. Their conversations, moderated by author and editor Douglas Abrams, form the contents of this book.

They met to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift to others – a guide to finding joy. They emphasize that joy comes from inside the person, not from money, power, a big car, or a big house. These two elderly men will likely never meet again, so this book is a one-of-a-kind teaching for those who want to live their lives more fully.

At the end of the book are specific “joy practices,” easy exercises for those who want to improve their ability to experience joy, to live with humility, and to face life’s challenges with more grace and wisdom.

~Carol Jensen, church librarian