Recommendations based on The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happinessby Yongey Mingyur

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living

    by Pema Chödrön
    A guide to cultivating compassion and mindfulness in everyday life, using Buddhist teachings and personal anecdotes.

    Pema Chödrön's perennially helpful guide to transforming the pains and difficulties in our lives into opportunities for genuine joy and personal growth We all want to be fearless, joyful, and fully ... (Barnes & Noble)

  2. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice

    by Shunryu Suzuki
    A guide to Zen meditation and philosophy, exploring the power of mindfulness and introspection.

    “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

    by Thich Nhat Hanh
    A practical guide to meditation and mindfulness, exploring their power to bring peace and joy.

    In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness–being awake and fully aware. From washing ... (Goodreads)

  4. Mindfulness in Plain English

    by Henepola Gunaratana
    Comprehensive guide to the Buddhist practice of mindfulness, for achieving mental clarity and peace.

    Author Bhante Gunaratana, a renowned meditation master, takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. This expanded edition includes ... (Goodreads)

  5. The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation

    by Thich Nhat Hanh
    Thich Nhat Hanh offers an introduction to Buddhism, exploring its core teachings and practices for achieving inner peace and happiness.

    “If there is a candidate for ‘Living Buddha’ on earth today, it is Thich Nhat Hanh.” ... (Goodreads)

  6. The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times

    by Pema Chödrön
    A guide to overcoming fear and embracing life, through spiritual practice and self-reflection.

    Lifelong guidance for learning to change the way we relate to the scary and difficult moments of our lives, showing us how we can use all of our difficulties and fears as a way to soften our hearts ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

    by Sogyal Rinpoche
    Guide to attaining inner peace in life and death, drawing from Buddhist wisdom.

    “A magnificent achievement. In its power to touch the heart, to awaken consciousness, [ The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying ] is an inestimable gift.” — San Francisco Chronicle A newly revised and ... (Goodreads)

  8. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

    by Eckhart Tolle
    A spiritual guide to finding peace and purpose in life, by transcending the ego.

    The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, "The Power of Now" With his bestselling spiritual guide "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of ... (Goodreads)

  9. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

    by Elizabeth Gilbert
    Overcoming the fear of creativity and living an inspired life.

    Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Gilbert offers insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us ... (Goodreads)

  10. Tao Te Ching

    by Lao Tzu
    A collection of wise sayings and reflections on the nature of existence.

    A lucid translation of the well-known Taoist classic by a leading scholar-now in a Shambhala Pocket Library edition. Written more than two thousand years ago, the Tao Teh Ching , or -The Classic of ... (Goodreads)

  11. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time

    by Greg Mortenson
    A man's mission to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote peace.

    The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard Anyone who despairs of the individual’s ... (Goodreads)

  12. The Dhammapada

    by Anonymous
    A collection of Buddhist teachings and wisdom, focusing on the path to enlightenment.

    The Dhammapada (Pāli; Prakrit: धम्मपद Dhammapada; Sanskrit: धर्मपद Dharmapada) is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist ... (Goodreads)

  13. A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy

    by Miyamoto Musashi
    A study of strategy and martial arts, exploring the secrets of success in life and battle.

    'When you attain the Way of strategy, there will not be one thing you cannot see.' - Miyamoto Musashi, Book of Five Rings Shortly before his death in 1645, the undefeated swordsman Miyamoto Musashi ... (Goodreads)

  14. Autobiography of a Yogi

    by Paramahansa Yogananda
    Spiritual journey of a yogi, exploring the depths of Eastern mysticism.

    This acclaimed autobiography presents a fascinating portrait of one of the great spiritual figures of our time. With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda narrates the inspiring ... (Goodreads)

  15. Awakening the Buddha Within: Eight Steps to Enlightenment

    by Surya Das
    Guide to understanding and embracing the Buddhist path to enlightenment.

    Lama Surya Das, the most highly trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition, presents the definitive book on Western Buddhism for the modern-day spiritual seeker. The radical and compelling ... (Goodreads)

  16. Be Here Now

    by Ram Dass
    A spiritual journey exploring the power of mindfulness and how to make the most of life.

    Describes one man's transformation upon his acceptance of the principles of Yoga & gives a modern restatement of the importance of the spiritual side of human nature. Illustrated. The book is divided ... (Goodreads)

  17. Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life

    by Thomas Moore
    An exploration of how to lead a spiritual life while living in modern society.

    This New York Times bestseller (more than 200,000 hardcover copies sold) provides a path-breaking lifestyle handbook that shows how to add spirituality, depth, and meaning to modern-day life by ... (Goodreads)

  18. Seven Years in Tibet

    by Heinrich Harrer
    Exploration of Tibet, told through the story of a man who escapes internment and lives in the region for seven years.

    The book covers the escape of Harrer and his companion, Peter Aufschnaiter , from a British internment camp in India. , Harrer and Aufschnaiter then traveled across Tibet to Lhasa , the capital. Here ... (Wikipedia)

  19. The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind

    by Michio Kaku
    A journey through the possibilities of the human mind, exploring the science behind telepathy, telekinesis, and other mind-bending concepts.

    The New York Times best-selling author of Physics of the Impossible , Physics of the Future and Hyperspace tackles the most fascinating and complex object in the known universe: the human brain . For ... (Goodreads)

  20. What the Buddha Taught

    by Walpola Rahula
    In-depth exploration of Buddhist philosophy, teachings, and practices.

    This indispensable volume is a lucid and faithful account of the Buddha’s teachings. “For years,” says the Journal of the Buddhist Society , “the newcomer to Buddhism has lacked a simple and reliable ... (Goodreads)

  21. Same Soul, Many Bodies: Discover the Healing Power of Future Lives through Progression Therapy

    by Brian L. Weiss
    Examination of reincarnation and progression therapy to heal emotional and physical traumas.

    The bestselling author of Many Lives, Many Masters breaks new ground to reveal how progression therapy into future lives can help transform us in the present. How often have you wished you could peer ... (Goodreads)

  22. Being Peace

    by Thich Nhat Hanh
    A guide to mindfulness and meditation, emphasizing the importance of inner peace in creating a peaceful world.

    Since its publication in 1987, "Being Peace" has become a classic of contemporary religious literature. In his simple and readable style, Thich Nhat Hanh shows how our state of mind and body can make ... (Goodreads)

  23. The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence

    by Josh Waitzkin
    An inspiring story of how to attain excellence through the martial art of Tai Chi.

    Josh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind ... (Goodreads)

  24. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World

    by Eric Weiner
    A humorous exploration of the pursuit of happiness, through visits to different countries.

    Weiner spent a decade as a foreign correspondent reporting from such discontented locales as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Unhappy people living in profoundly unstable states, he notes, inspire ... (Goodreads)

  25. The Writing Life

    by Annie Dillard
    A candid and insightful look into the life of a writer, exploring the challenges and rewards of the craft.

    From Pulitzer Prize-winning Annie Dillard, a collection that illuminates the dedication and daring that characterizes a writer's life. In these short essays, Annie Dillard—the author of Pilgrim at ... (Goodreads)

  26. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales

    by Oliver Sacks
    A collection of case studies, illustrating extraordinary neurological phenomena.

    If a man has lost a leg or an eye, he knows he has lost a leg or an eye; but if he has lost a self—himself—he cannot know it, because he is no longer there to know it. Dr. Oliver Sacks recounts the ... (Goodreads)

  27. A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

    by Marianne Williamson
    A spiritual guide to finding inner peace and love through the teachings of "A Course in Miracles".

    Back by popular demand – and newly updated by the author -- the mega-bestselling spiritual guide in which Marianne Williamson shares her reflections on A Course in Miracles and her insights on the ... (Goodreads)

  28. Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics By Its Most Brilliant Teacher

    by Richard P. Feynman
    Exploring the fundamentals of physics, from the perspective of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century.

    Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher is a publishing first. This set couples a book containing the six easiest chapters from Richard P. Feynman's landmark ... (Goodreads)

  29. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

    by Eckhart Tolle
    A journey of self-transformation, learning to live in the present moment and liberate oneself.

    Eckhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, ... (Goodreads)

  30. One Up On Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market

    by Peter Lynch
    Legendary investor Peter Lynch shares his insights on how to invest in the stock market using everyday knowledge and experience.

    More than one million copies have been sold of this seminal book on investing in which legendary mutual-fund manager Peter Lynch explains the advantages that average investors have over professionals ... (Barnes & Noble)