A Buddhist Path to Joy

by Mel Pine

A funny thing happened on the way to my death...

Finding joy through Buddhist practices doesn’t require a pilgrimage to Kathmandu or years of living in a cave. It took me decades, but it needn’t take you as long. This book is my end-of-life effort to point the way.

"Written with humility, openness, and humanity, A Buddhist Path to Joy...provides a welcome starting-point for readers who want to go past the superficial layers of pop-culture meditation and yoga through understanding," says the IndieReader review. It's an "excellent overall primer to a living practice of modern Buddhism."

This isn't another scholarly treatise on Buddhism. It's dharma from the trenches—honest, accessible, and refreshingly free of spiritual pretense. Pine calls himself a "Jewish Buddhist contrarian," and his irreverent yet profound voice guides readers through everything from AI consciousness and Buddha Nature to the practical art of dying well while fully alive.

Whether you're new to Buddhism or a seasoned practitioner, this book offers a modern middle way between rigid tradition and shallow spirituality. Pine proves that awakening isn't reserved for monastery dwellers—it's available to anyone willing to make friends with their mind and embrace the radical ordinariness of joy.

"I am awake!" Pine declares with hard-earned confidence. His invitation is you can be too.

Genres: Nonfiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

About the author

Mel Pine's end-of-life mission is to share the wisdom he has gained over almost eight decades of life and four decades of Buddhist practice to relieve the suffering of others.

He is a seasoned writer, Buddhist practitioner, and spiritual communicator with six decades of experience in clear nonfiction writing. Through his blogs and teachings, he has cultivated a substantial following across the United States and internationally, offering accessible teachings and practices drawn from his extensive spiritual journey and Buddhist practice.

Describing himself as a "Jewish Buddhist Contrarian"—Jewish by birth and early culture, Buddhist by calling, and contrarian by temperament—Mel's writing style is characterized by honesty, heart-centered communication, and a focus on practical wisdom that can reduce suffering across spiritual traditions. His voice is unique in contemporary Buddhism.

In his first full-length book, The New Middle Way, Mel aims to share a lifetime of spiritual lessons before he leaves the earthly realm, hoping they can help others liberate themselves from needless suffering.

Mel and his wife, Carol, live in Loudoun County, Virginia, close enough to their son, Carl, and his partner, Kenna Day, that a highlight of their week is Family Dinner Night.

Reviews

[Agnes Odek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel Pine’s A Buddhist path to joy is a heartfelt tribute to the teachings and principles of Buddhism. Through his own decades of experience pain, shares his beliefs on his journey through understanding Buddhism from a deep and layered level.

Pine writes with an openness that brings diverse readers into the transcendence space, offering introspection and reflection. Mainly focusing on the death of oneself, he writes of how to attain joy. Unlike traditional methods used, Pines' journey welcomes one to explore their ability to attain awareness within. A beautiful combination of memoir and educational prose.

[Tim Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book, Mel Pine, claims that he has awakened by following the path he outlines so clearly and so engagingly in the book. And I believe him. I believe him because of how he describes what being awakened feels like…and I don't feel like that, but his description is so lucid that it really sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. I believe it too because of how he describes the path that leads to it. He does not claim credit for inventing the path. But he stumbled upon it, and then, while in a not very good frame of mind and in not very good health, he followed the path, took the advice of his teachers, and as effects follow from causes, a deep sense of peace and a profound realization of equanimity and emptiness blossomed in him. Not to mention way better physical health. In the book, he explores what the path is and what it’s not. He explores distractions that can lead us away from the path. He even offers a couple of very intriguing chapters that ask whether AI could ever possess Buddha nature. He hints that a course might follow this book, and I really hope that comes to pass. I will sign up. Mel has imparted a lot of wisdom in these pages, and if I have any sense, I will start letting it guide me. Maybe it will take me where it has taken him. Maybe it will take you there too.

[Naman Pande · Rating 4 out of 5]

For longtime practitioners or anyone who’s walked the path of mindfulness, A BUDDHIST PATH TO JOY offers a warm and relatable reminder of why we practice. MEL PINE writes like someone who’s been through the ups and downs himself — not preaching, but sharing what’s real. Building on The New Middle Way, this expanded edition opens up the conversation to compassion, ethics, and even the meeting point between Buddhist insight and modern scientific thought.

Pine’s integration of traditional and modern approaches is handled with care. His emphasis on “pulling out the arrows” of unnecessary suffering and his rejection of rigid moralism both feel refreshingly authentic. The guidance on teachers and communities is especially valuable, addressing the real-world challenges of navigating spiritual hierarchies with discernment.

Still, those expecting deep scriptural commentary or lineage-based rigor may find the book more conversational than technical. Its greatest offering lies in tone and intention — an invitation to meet Buddhism not as an academic system but as a living relationship with awareness and compassion. For that purpose, it succeeds beautifully.

[Donna Emperador · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical beginner's guide to Buddhism

A BUDDHIST PATH TO JOY provides an overview of Buddhism from an American perspective. It focuses on basic tenets and differences between various branches. However, the author warns not to get caught up in the details. Buddhism is more about the journey rather than the end result.

The author, Mel Pine, adds context to the book by providing his experiences and background, which helped shape his beliefs.

This book is informative for people new to Buddhism and provides links and references to extensive resources. It also provides basic meditations that can be done at home.

There were some typos that interrupted the flow. Since there were words in other languages, this was confusing because it was unclear if they were foreign words or typos. However, the book was still a good read for those at the beginning of their journey to enlightenment or just wanting some basic information on the subject.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Buddhist Path to Joy by Mel Pine. It’s a deeply personal read, as Pine shares his life experiences in such an open and vulnerable way. The book feels like equal parts memoir, reflection, and insight into Buddhist philosophies and practices.

I especially appreciated how he offers a kind of modern middle way, balancing traditional Buddhist teachings with a down-to-earth, practical approach that avoids both rigid dogma and surface-level “feel-good” spirituality.

It’s a thoughtful, contemplative read without ever feeling preachy, filled with wisdom accumulated over decades of practice and reflection. I found it to be a slow, meaningful read - something to savor and sit with - and I really enjoyed his story, honesty, and insight.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the gifted copy

[Lia Dospetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a clear, simple, and straightforward style, A Buddhist Path to Joy is a true gem of wisdom and a treasure filled with humanity. The author has gathered decades of life experience and skillfully puts it into words to guide the reader through a journey into Buddhist sensibility — from understanding the basic vocabulary to exploring the philosophical spirituality of impermanence and interdependence. There’s even a chapter on compatible teachings and overall every chapter is written in a gentle tone.

I highly recommend this concise little volume to anyone approaching Buddhism for the first time, without necessarily wishing to convert.

5/5 stars from me.

— Lia Mara Dospetti

[Scovia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel Pine's A Buddhist path to Joy is an informative book that's been well written through some of the author's experiences and what he had learnt overtime in his life. The lifestyle's main goal is to live a life without suffering.Suffering in this case means anything from small things that affect us daily, like fear, anger and other small emotions that build up and make life uncomfortable.I learnt alot from this book and the knowledge here can help improve the quality of life you live.I enjoyed and found many topics quite impressive. It helps you find peace in pages that lead to a more fulfilling life.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading A Buddhist Path to Joy by Mel Pine. It was a very personal account about his path to the practice of Buddhism. Part memoir (sharing traumatic events that helped shape his worldview) and part instruction on Buddhist philosophies and practices, it was an approachable read for someone who is still learning about Buddhism. It was overly preachy and I loved his method of finding a "middle way" - a way that works for you as the practitioner without confining you too much within the border of typical Buddhist practice.

I received an ARC copy via NetGalley. I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel Pine is sharing his journey with us, about his paths in life, and all that he has learned and is still learning. He tells his story is short chapters. His story gives great insight, and it is easy to understand. He thought he was at the end of his life but discovered he was going down a different path and he shares it with us.
I received an ARC from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles through NetGalley.