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