PSC 126 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Viktor Frankl, Lojong, Tonglen
Study Questions - The Book of Joy
Pg 193 - 213
1. What 2 qualities are most central to any lasting happiness?
a. Compassion & generosity
i.
2. Why is a healthy perspective the key to joy & happiness?
a.
3. In what ways can a tragedy become an opportunity?
a.
4. What is our ultimate freedom, according to Dr. Viktor Frankl?
a.
5. What is meant by the terms, wider perspective & larger perspective?
a.
6. How does a wider perspective help us overcome our default perspective?
a.
7. What is research evidence that being self - focused makes us unhappy?
a.
8. Why do surprising or unexpected happenings open the door to humility?
a.
9. How does humility reduce anxiety?
a.
10. Why is the cultivation of humility important for joy?
a.
11. What is the origin of the word, humility
?
a.
12. In what ways is humility strengthened by spiritual perspective?
a.
13. Why did the Dalai Lama say that the recognition of limitation & weakness can be
positive?
a.
Pg 43 - 50
14. Why does Tutu believe that trying to be joyful won’t work?
a. You’re going to find yourself turned in on yourself
b. It’s like a flower
i. You open, you blossom, really because of other people
15. What are some ways in which there can be value in suffering?
a. Helps develop compassion
b.
16. According to the Dalai Lama, what is the primary cause of human suffering?
a. Too much self - centered thinking
17. What is lojong?
a. Lessening one’s self - absorption
b. When we focus on ourselves we are destined to be unhappy
Document Summary
Pg 193 - 213: what 2 qualities are most central to any lasting happiness, compassion & generosity i, why is a healthy perspective the key to joy & happiness? a. Pg 43 - 50: why does tutu believe that trying to be joyful won"t work, you"re going to find yourself turned in on yourself b. Lottery winners were not significantly happier than those who had been paralyzed in an accident c. Pg 83 - 92: what is mental immunity, dalai lama, mental immunity is just learning to avoid the destructive emotions & to develop the positive one i. One must develop the mind over time & cultivate mental immunity : how is mental immunity similar in function to physical immunity, takes time to develop, the stronger each immunity is, the more protected you are. If mental/ physical health is bad, the more susceptible you are to illness /pain/ suffering: weaker health = higher risk of problems c.
