A Monk's Guide to Finding Joy: How to Train Your Mind and Transform Your Life

by Khangser Rinpoche

A profound and practical guide to uncovering your own wise mind and kind heart.

We all want to find happiness. But how do we go about it? In this easygoing and clear-sighted guide, celebrated Buddhist meditation and philosophy master Khangser Rinpoche provides us with down-to-earth advice on how to train our minds and find our own innate wisdom and kindness along the way. He helps us see the profound insight that is open to us all, and how it can awaken us to the truth of the way things are. This insight into the truth, and the practices that help you cultivate this awareness, transform suffering into wisdom and compassion—and ultimately joy.

A Monk's Guide to Finding Joy brings the ancient Tibetan mind training tradition into our twenty-first century lives. Through stories, real-life examples, reflections, and meditation practices—all told with warmth and humor—Khangser Rinpoche shows us how we can transform the suffering of our life into happiness. When we train the mind from within the context of our difficult emotions we can find true joy, just as the oyster transforms sand into a pearl.

Genres: Buddhism

216 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2024

About the author

His Eminence Khangser Rinpoche was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, in May 1975. At five years of age, a search party positively identified him as the reincarnation of the seventh Khangser Rinpoche. He is one of three high lamas responsible for recognizing the rebirth of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Khangser Rinpoche completed his preliminary study of Buddhist philosophy at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamshala, India. He later went on to advanced Buddhist studies in sutra and tantra at Sera Jey Monastery and Gyuto Tantric Monastic University. It was there he earned the geshe lharampa degree and a doctorate degree in tantra, both with the highest honors in the top division. Khangser Rinpoche presently serves as vice abbot of Gyuto Monastery and as the founder and administrative head of Thangkar Dechen Choling Monastic Institute. This institute is both a monastery and a school, and generously provides food, housing, and education in both Dharma and contemporary Western curricula to over eighty young monks in Nepal. The entire student population comes from impoverished conditions, many of whom are orphans. Khangser Rinpoche has established many Dipkar centers around the globe, spearheading philanthropic efforts such as providing free food to those in need. He also established the Dipkar Vajrayana Institute to offer free Dharma education to all who wish to learn. Khangser Rinpoche is considered one of the great Buddhist teachers of the modern age. He has dedicated his entire life to providing spiritual medicine for what ails a broken spirit. He believes his mission is to help as many suffering beings as possible.

Reviews

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came across this book while looking up some articles on joy. I liked the excerpt that I read enough to buy the book on the spot. I'd say this was a pleasant resource on mindfulness, best for people who find yoga and mindfulness too "boring" or "serious." I'm not sure why people expect yoga and wellness to entertain their monkey mind with more distractions, or why things need to be lighthearted all the time. However, I have noticed that some people do not respond well, so this book is conversational with a few jokes cracked.

The first few chapters are more solemn, but the tone becomes lighter, with a few more jokes for my liking. When the tone becomes lighter, the messages start to take on a more superficial hue, and I say this with respect to the teachings, as this is more of an analysis of the writing choices that I speculate were made for this book to be published. Who knows? I haven't done any research into the book or the author.

The highlight of this book were the parables that were told to illustrate the author's teachings. These were highly effective, memorable, and I loved them all! I'm sure you might recognize a few of them yourself including the one about folks at night touching a different part of an elephant all reporting a different thing (a snake! a broom! a wall!) to illustrate the workings of the mind, the illusions.

Another thing that I reflected upon was how this book is crystallized in the zeitgeist of the pandemic. It felt like it was written while the pandemic was fresh or ongoing, and it was talked throughout the chapters, so it seemed to be a major intention of this book to be a reflection or a comfort for folks living through this period of lockdown and loss. I also had the thought of someone reading this decades into the future, feeling how quaint and alien it might be to discover the random fact that there were toilet paper shortages during this time.

[Tatiana Friar McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Monk’s Guide to Finding Joy is more than just a book—it’s a transformative guide to training the mind and cultivating true happiness. Drawing from the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism, H.E. Khangser Rinpoche presents profound teachings in a way that is both accessible and deeply impactful.

Rather than chasing fleeting moments of happiness, Rinpoche teaches how to develop inner resilience, mindfulness, and compassion. He skillfully explains complex concepts like impermanence, suffering, and selflessness in a way that resonates with modern readers. His words remind us that joy is not found in external circumstances but is cultivated from within.

As a student of Rinpoche, I deeply appreciate how this book mirrors his in-person teachings—clear, direct, and infused with warmth and humor. Whether you’re new to Buddhist philosophy or already on a spiritual path, this book offers practical tools and reflections to transform your perspective on life.

Highly recommended for meditators, spiritual seekers, and anyone looking to find lasting peace and fulfillment.