Solidarity in Humanity

On a basic level, this book is offered as a guide to achieving lasting happiness in a changing world, as the title phrases. Arguably the most important factor to creating lasting happiness is to recognize that there is a physical, mental, and spiritual solidarity among human beings. "We are the same human beings," the Dalai Lama often reiterates throughout the conversation (126). Humans share not only the same biologic makeup (for the most part,) but they also experience the same spectrum of emotions; recognizing this sense of humanity, the men argue throughout the week, is crucial for attaining joy.

"Life happens to all of us," as Archbishop Tutu bluntly phrased it (222). Part of accepting one's own emotions and training one's mind is recognizing that seven billion other human beings are experiencing their own problems and pain as well. The Archbishop also argues that negative emotions such as...