What is Joy of Living?

The Joy of Living is a path of meditation study and practice that can be followed by anyone, regardless of religious or cultural background. It was designed by Mingyur Rinpoche to fulfill two primary needs: (1) to offer a comprehensive course of meditation training for those who are interested in learning how to meditate in a secular format, and (2) to provide a grounding in basic meditation principles and practices for those who are interested in formal Buddhist practice.

The goal of this program is to help us discover a lasting contentment that is not subject to the fluctuating conditions of our lives and to nurture the qualities of wisdom and compassion that naturally manifest from awareness itself. Meditation is taught as a practical tool to explore the landscape of the heart and mind and uncover the richness of the present moment.

The practices taught in the Joy of Living, though rooted in the ancient Buddhist teachings of Tibet, are not religious in nature. They address basic qualities of the mind, such as mindful awareness and the movements toward happiness and away from suffering. By working with these qualities of mind, we gradually transform our relationship to present–moment experience, learning to approach every thought, feeling, and sensory experience with unconditional warmth and acceptance.