Customer Reviews

Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness

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Here's a book that works like a master locksmith's pick: it opens a door into a more fulfilling life. An outgrowth of James Baraz's successful online course of the same name, Awakening Joy: Ten Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Happiness is an accessible, anecdote-rich guide filled with valuable tips to understanding both the roadblocks challenging our lives and the open road inviting us for a drive on the freeway of our own personal happiness.

As a longtime meditation teacher, Baraz distills three decades of inquiry into the mind into this down-to-earth primer. Written with the gifted editor Shoshana Alexander,
the book evokes the warmth of a satisfying conversation--actually a series of conversations--with a wise friend. And make no mistake: Baraz is wise. And compassionate, giving and optimistic. He's also a gifted teacher. Among his gifts? Advocating joy as a gateway to pass through on the journey to self-awareness.

To those readers brought up believing in narrow-minded, "should-"oriented approaches to living, awakening joy as a means of achieving personal growth might seem contraindicated--somehow jumping ahead of struggle, pain and suffering (the trinity of stages personal growth many believe we must first pass through to reach higher states of happiness). Such an approach misses the mark--by a wide margin. Baraz is not so much suggesting an "eat dessert first" approach to living as much as saying dessert is available all the time in succulent, small bites. If we pay attention enough to notice.

Rooted in mindfulness meditation practice, which Baraz has been practicing and teaching since the seventies (he is one of the founding teachers of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California), the book is peppered with quotes from a range of teachers, as well as participants in the Awakening Joy course. The book also draws on paths to happiness found in a range of spiritual traditions. Another of its strengths is its gentle introduction to Buddhism, presented in an accessible, open-minded and open-hearted way.

While dealing with life's adversity is certainly addressed in the book--we appreciate Baraz all the more for being open and vulnerable in sharing painful episodes in his own life--time and again he brings the reader back to an appreciation for wholesome states of living. After an eye operation left him with seriously compromised vision--"the world looked like a Jacque Cousteau underwater documentary filmed on a cloudy day"--Baraz relied on his meditation practice to see him through. When a risky operation eventually restored his vision, he felt a surge of gratitude that didn't subside. "... [T]he gratitude I felt at my good fortune became a continuous backdrop to everything else in my life," he wrote.

Over the years Baraz has trained himself to examine his experiences carefully, "not only for my own spiritual growth but also to share my findings with students." As a result of the appreciation he felt at his clear vision, he became fascinated with the question, "What is gratitude?" In many ways, his book answers the question,. It is Baraz's report on his experiences as "an explorer of the landscape of the grateful heart."
HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED

There's no doubt that many people have benefitted from this book and the online course, but it's not for everyone. I signed up for the online course, but dropped it after one month. James Baraz simply did not resonate with me as a "teacher," and I found that something in his personal "style," in the way that he spoke and the way that he presented things, made me want to tune him out. In addition, the online practice letters often had a "preachy" tone that seemed to undermine the message. I know that this is an unfair judgment, but I'll say it anyway: I found his manner to be, well, "swarmy" and "cheesy" come to mind, and I couldn't take him seriously. There's a lot of great information in the book, but if you're thinking about taking the online course, I'd highly recommend that you try to watch a half an hour or so before you commit to it. I know that there are folks who think highly of James, but please don't attack me for this review. Instead, you should recognize that no teacher is right for every student, and what works for you might not work for someone else.

I took James Baraz's online course called Awakening Joy and it was a remarkably life-changing experience. I just ordered the book and devoured it immediately and bought 3 copies to give as gifts to my friends. It captures in such a great way a path that really changed my level of daily joy. The book is beautifully written and organized and I just LOVE it. I have a feeling I will be ordering many more copies as I want to give it to everyone I know. I completely recommend it. It isn't just a basic self-help book--it is deep, comes from a deep meditation practice that James Baraz has--and his own experiences of deepening joy that he writes about in the book. It is not superficial at all. I found that it deepened my understanding of his teachings about joy and I already feel the effects. I trust you will love it as much as I do. And I'd recommend doing the online course, or doing it in Berkeley where he teaches it live! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I picked up Awakening Joy a few months after my husband passed away. Grief has a way of intensifying after the first few months on autopilot have passed. I looked toward friends, books and a support group, all of which emphasized my loss, how my life had changed, and what I no longer could look forward to.

When I read Awakening Joy, I experienced a serenity that I hadn't felt in some time. James Baraz gave me a strong sense of what I DID have and what I COULD do to appreciate the special moments in the here and now that held purpose and joy. I liked the structure of his book, a finely woven tapestry of personal narrative (he's "walked the walk"), philosophical and scientific perspectives that gave credence to his views, and first hand experiences of his students who have used the techniques from his AJ course (mindfulness, loving kindness, gratitude, among others)to effect personal change. I tried some of the simple highlighted suggestions and they worked.

Baraz speaks directly to his reader in a positive, reassuring and encouraging tone that's not preachy or schmaltzy. Combined with a few humorous asides, he even elicited an easy smile or two as I read. I learned that in our fast-paced, demanding world, we don't have to look far for the most meaningful and gratifying moments -- they are within us.

From the first few pages of Awakening Joy I was sure that I had found a life-changing book. The authors very skillfully bring the readers into a most positive way of thinking and behaving so that the best is gained from the present moment. They offer many practical exercises to carry out in daily life that transform one from seeing the glass half empty to half full. Even though the ideas presented are based on Budhism, they are universal and timeless for those of all religious traditions to appreciate. I do wish many, many people will read Awakening Joy.

If you suffer from anxiety or a deep fear, you are not alone; this is a part of the human condition. But we don't have to suffer endlessly because anxiety has an internal structure in the form of negative thoughts and beliefs powered by emotional energy that has become frozen in place. Uncover these patterns of negative thoughts and you are on the way to making significant change. As a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, I use mindfulness as the primary tool for doing just this, and I would recommend anyone to learn more about the therapeutic use of mindfulness in conjunction with good self-analysis. I also recommend 'The Path of Mindfulness Meditation' available through Amazon.

"Awakening Joy" lives up to its title in that each chapter addresses a different facet of living a harmonious life. This is not a simple self-help book which you toss aside and say, "Ohhh, I knew that already!" It is a life-long program of deepening your awareness and cultivating joy--deep, dependable joy--over time. Each time I read a chapter, there is something new which calls to me. And, in fact, my joy has been greater as a result of the wisdom of these teachings.

This is a beautifully written, heart-full book that offers practical and inspirational stories and tools for readers to, as James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander say, "incline your mind toward joy." The authors share depth of wisdom and remind us how to touch joy daily . I love that the book does not gloss over life's challenges, but suggests how you can touch joy even during difficult times.

I feel so much more aware of moments when I am joyful thanks to this book. It is well written, informative, and truly a fun read. I feel more joyful while I am reading it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It convinced me to someday take the Awakening Joy course, when I have the time.