This eloquent missive from Tibet's revered political and spiritual leader in exile is a treasury of simple wisdom: a primer for living with purpose and for dying in peace. His Holiness the Dalai Lama presents his own luminous thoughts and comforting guidance, and draws upon the wisdom of Buddhist tradition as he expands our understanding of the end of life - and of what it means to be "prepared." The way to a good death, he teaches, is to live a good life. Offering gentle direction to further illuminate that path, His Holiness elegantly provides straightforward lessons and traditional Buddhist teachings on embracing our gift of human potential, on the acceptance of death and impermanence, and on the achievement of joy, peace, and spiritual fulfillment in this lifetime. The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace underscores the importance of "practice" - of awareness through meditation, compassion, patience, and effort - in lending rich and joyous meaning to this lifetime, and so to our passage to the next.

...our own happiness is in fact in own hands. Reminds us of what we already know and must realize in order to be happy. ( )