Awakening Joy: 10 Steps to Happiness Paperback – November 15, 2012

I have read 12 books on the subjects of joy and happiness for a book project. This is the best one on the methods of cultivating happiness and joy. Baraz is a very good writer. I highly recommend this book. (The very best book on the subject is Matthieu Ricard's "Happiness," but that book is light on the how to of happiness.)

Joy has always been a puzzle to me. What IS it? Do I deserve one minute of it when kids are in cages and an unbalanced man is in the WH? Before this book, I thought Buddhist practice, properly done, would transform me in some way - perhaps even put a smile on my face more or less permanently. Maybe even change me from a worried person to a what-me-worry person. And of course, this never happened.This book makes no such promises. If I follow the author's practices, my world and outlook will not change, but I WILL notice the good moments, and like a muscle, this practice increases with repetition. Noticing good moments is the key message in this book. It is not some complete change in how one perceives the world. It has truly amazed me how this seemingly small change in my daily habits has lightened my mood and given me fresh energy to tackle the urgent problems we all face.

This book is based on a 10-month course Buddhist teacher Baraz has taught in live classes, online, and through video and audio recordings. Alexander is a writer/editor and also Buddhist teacher, and the book is a collaborative effort. It is designed for the general public; so the Buddhist teachings are in everyday language. For example, the truth of impermanence: "If we forget that everything changes, we may start thinking, Wow! I finally have gotten my life together! I've worked really hard to get to this point and now I have arrived. Then when things change, we wonder, What happened? How did I blow it? Knowing that change is an inherent part of life allows us to fully appreciate the good times when they come, without thinking that life has been unfair to us when they go."I like Baraz's approach to social action and burnout. He says, "When taking action comes from your heart rather than from the desire to see results, you can continue working without getting depleted, and you can derive joy rather than disappointment from the part you are playing."Baraz freely shares stories of his own immaturities, inviting the reader to honestly face the struggles we all have and must deal with in order to awaken to joy.

A friendly guide along the path of spiritual exploration. References to a number of spiritual teachers and their insights. Reminders that our process of growth is ongoing and grows as we learn to let go of fear and to deeply listen

This is an easy interesting read. It opens some doors into a way to view the world with more generosity and compassion for others- and for yourself. It is largely based on Buddist philosophy, cognitive science from the positive psychology movement and anecdotal illustrations from the author's teaching experience. There is nothing here that is incompatible with Christian or Jewish thinking. But, though it is a spiritual and philosophical pilgrimage from the author's perspective, it is practical for those who are without a religious commitment too.Having said all of that, I enjoyed the book as a straight throug read but don't expect my life to change much unless I decide to use the book as it was intended: Taking time to do the exercises, keep a journal, and connect to a support person or group. The practices are mind and spirit healthy. Wholesome is the description the Budda might have used.I read the kindle version and found the anecdotes and commentary obtrusive in that format. The material was good but it was in the way of the main ideas and broke my concentration. I haven't seen a printed version.

"Oh hellll motha f''ing no." That's a sanitized version of what I thought when my coworker invited me to read this book, and join her for the Awakening Joy class. Wanting to be polite, what came out was more like a skeptical, "I don't think I'd be interested." She patiently suggested that I simply preview the book, and give it a chance because she had heard good things.Although clearly predisposed to doubt, I started reading Awakening Joy on Amazon, checking out the first chapter for free, and to my surprise I was hooked. So much that I got the book AND signed up for the class. In case you haven't figured it out yet, there is a class you can take that goes with the book, and each month one chapter is covered. I'll write a little more about the class at the end of this review. For now, just the book...If you are like I was, and not sure whether to read this book, definitely start with the free preview on Amazon, and see what you think. I have noticed some reviewers who think the writing style is too cheesy. Well I anticipated exactly that. But to me, it does not read that way. I can see how this book might not be for everyone, but like my coworker said, do give it a chance.My concern was there because 1.) it was written by a Buddhist practitioner, 2) it is called Awakening Joy, and 3) the very fact that there is a class that goes with the book. I even wondered if this program was an entry into some kind of cult! (of course it's not!)Regarding the religious part - Being raised in a Buddhist/Jewish family, on one hand I have an affinity toward Buddhist philosophy. On the other, I am a devout agnostic who does not wish to commit to any religion. I have a hard time with any practice that requires me to have "faith" or what feels to me like superstition. Knowing this book was written by James Baraz, a Buddhist my parents respect, I felt inviting of the philosophy, but worried that the book would expect me to believe in things like reincarnation, karma, deities, etc. Luckily, while the philosophy is most definitely there, the parts I struggle with are not. James Baraz did a good job with making this a book that is not religious.The title bothered me because life is about more than just Joy, and I thought this would be some kind of "learn how to be a fake Californian who puts on a smile" kind of deal. This is not the case at all. While Awakening Joy is focused on how to bring more enjoyment into life, it recognizes that there are struggles, and discusses techniques for handling difficult times. The book doesn't make me feel pressured to "be happy" all the time, nor ashamed that I'm not. But it does help me to develop awareness, comfort, and compassion with all of my emotions.As for the cult concerns, those are squashed, and I think it's funny I even entertained that notion. There is a community that gathers to discuss ways of thinking that bring more happiness into one's life, but there is no worship, indoctrination, nor a commune to live in! But the reason I was worried had to do with there being a class, which leads into a brief intro to what happens there.The course, which meets monthly, is in Berkeley, which luckily for me is nearby, but can also be taken online from all around the world. In the class we arrive, sit quietly for a moment to get focused, discuss the reading from the month before, learn about the upcoming chapter, hear dynamic guest speakers talk on the topic, enjoy music by a a guest singer, and then we all have fun singing a song together - one that most people would know and it varies each month. I find it helpful to hear how others are relating to the book. We talk about what is working, and what challenges people have with the materials so that various approaches can be considered. The website for the class has forums so folks can continue to discuss the material. Those taking the course online can watch recordings. Students taking either version (live, recorded, or just simply reading the book) are encouraged to find buddies or form small groups to discuss the reading. Each month James Baraz writes his students a letter on the topic of the month. And there are bunch of other resources provided to help you stay focused. I won't give them all away here!But if the class is not for you, no big deal. You can definitely enjoy this book thoroughly without taking the accompanying course. Ultimately, If you do get the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as me! I really like focusing on one chapter per month. It gives time to contemplate the lessons at a good pace. If you do get the book, and don't do the class, you might consider approaching the reading at the same pace, and working through it with a partner. Either way, if you are curious, but have doubts, just take it one step at a time and see if its right for you. If it is, you could find yourself increasingly aware of life's many gifts! That's how I feel.At this point, my feelings about this book and the class have moved from "Oh hellll motha f''ing no" to something more like "Oh hellll motha f''ing yeah!"

Well written, a joy to read. Each chapter has touched me and taught me more than I expected. Something "clicked" and has helped the beginning of my experience with awakening joy. Thank you for such a guide!