Have you renounced pleasure

The chapter begins with curiosity about a monk’s life, specifically the Dalai Lama's, and his relationship with pleasure.

Drawing the distinction between sensory and internal happiness, the Dalai Lama observes that if we rely too heavily on achieving sensory happiness we will remain unfulfilled. Abrams then provides an exploration of hedonistic and consumerist cultures and the sensory pleasure that they prioritize. Richard Davidson, a cognitive scientist, has found that there are four independent brain circuits that influence well being: outlook, resilience, attention, and generosity. These concepts echo the words spoken by the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop.

So I always say to people, you have to pay more attention to the mental level of joy and happiness. Not just physical pleasure, but satisfaction at the level of the mind. This is true joyfulness.

- The Dalai Lama, Book of Joy, p. 54

Discussion Questions

What questions does the chapter raise for you about brain science?
How do you respond to the integration of science as well as spiritual traditions in the book?

Recalling moments in your life, how would you describe and contrast physical and mental moments of joy?

How do you respond to the Dalai Lama's perspective that sensory happiness is fleeting?

The Dalai Lama and the Archbishop remind readers that we are all connected as members of humanity. They encourage cooperation and connection. How can you imagine cooperating with people different from yourself?

What are your reactions to the four independent brain circuits? Which might you aim to strengthen in your own life?

“Our ability to maintain positive states” Outlook
“Our ability to recover from negative states” Resilience
“Our ability to focus and avoid mind-wandering” Attention
“Our ability to be generous” Generosity

Activities

View an excerpt from Mission Joy that features Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist:

What is the essential question that Davidson and the Dalai Lama wished to answer? How did those who meditate respond differently from others? What is the final conclusion that Davidson comes to understand?

Try this activity and discussion prompt offered by Missionjoy.org:

“The ultimate source of a meaningful life is within our own self. Usually everybody seeks happiness, joyfulness from the outside, from money, from power, from a big car, from a big house. The ultimate source of a happy life, even physical health, is inside not outside.”

What are you paying attention to? Studies have shown that our behavior is affected by our attention.Take some time to think about where your attention is most often drawn and ask yourself:
Is my attention aligned with my values?
Is my time being spent the way I want it to be spent?
If not, how can I make changes?

Watch Dr. Richardson's Ted Talk that expands on the impact of meditation on well-being.

Read more from The Center for Healthy Minds.

Read the article The Four Keys to Well-Being, which summarizes Davidson’s characterization of the four neural circuits for happiness. After reading the piece, do you have a different or new understanding of the circuits we can use to train our minds for happiness?

Practice awe and focus your attention. Try concentrating your attention with this awe video, practice an awe walk, or work through a guided awe walk meditation, from the Greater Good Science Center.