The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science \t\t of Happiness

This refreshing book is yet another sign that the next generation of \t\t Buddhism is creative, cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary. Born in 1975 in \t\t Nepal, the author is among the generation of Tibetan lamas trained outside of \t\t Tibet, and he's also a gifted meditator. His brain activity has been measured \t\t during meditation, earning him the enviable sobriquet of "happiest man on \t\t earth." He fuses scientific and spiritual considerations, explaining meditation \t\t as a physical as well as a spiritual process. Mingyur Rinpoche knows from \t\t experience that meditation can change the brain. He experienced panic attacks \t\t as a child that he was able to overcome through intensive meditation. If \t\t diligently practiced, meditation can affect the "neuronal gossip"—his \t\t imaginative rendering of brain cell communication—that keeps us stuck in \t\t unhappy behaviors. The meditation master offers a wide variety of techniques, \t\t counseling ease in practice to avoid boredom or aversion. Less is more; \t\t practice shorter periods more often, he says. His approach will be especially \t\t welcome for anyone frustrated by meditation or convinced they're "not doing it \t\t right." This book is a fresh breath from the meditation room, written with \t\t kindness, energy and wit. Three cheers for a cheerful contemplative. \t\t (Mar. 6)