The Compassionate Life

This collection of writings hones in on the Dalai Lama's most fundamental belief: that the purpose of life is to be happy. And one of the main ways to be happy is to practice love and compassion. According to the Dalai Lama, it's that simple. Well, maybe it's a bit more complicated. But this world-renowned spiritual leader does have a knack for making any and all Buddhist teachings feel completely easy and accessible. He is also a living, breathing example of how happiness can be found in any circumstance. As he points out: "In my lifetime I have lost my country and have been reduced to being totally dependent on the goodwill of others. I have also lost my mother, and most of my tutors and lamas have passed away." Even so, this exiled Buddhist monk states that he is almost always happy. How does he do it? By overcoming anger and hatred (a big piece of work) and looking at the world through the wide-angle lens of compassion and love for others. When your scope is that wide and your heart is truly open, he assures us that happiness will always follow.

The editors at Wisdom Publications have done an excellent job in organizing the Dalai's teachings. We begin with a motivational discussion about cultivating love and compassion then move onto specific techniques for doing so. (Yes, it does require constant awareness and daily practice.) Further along, the Dalai Lama integrates compassionate living with lessons on "The Bodhisattva Way" and "The Eight Verses for Training the Mind" (which delve into handling negative emotions and recognizing the illusion of reality). Beginners will delight in this excellent primer. And Buddhist old-timers will appreciate the more advanced teachings toward the back of the book. And almost everyone knows that the Dalai Lama is worth reading and re-reading on any given day. --Gail Hudson