Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu come together to write book on happiness

New Delhi: The Dalai Lama is collaborating with Archbishop Desmond Tutu for a new book that explores the topic of joy, publishers Penguin Random House said on Thursday. The two spiritual leaders are set to meet in Dharamshala later this month for the Buddhist leader’s 80th birthday celebrations where they will work together to create “The Book of Joy,” themed on “finding enduring happiness in an uncertain world.” [caption id=“attachment_2198872” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of the Dalai Lama: Reuters[/caption] The meeting allows for the two Nobel Peace Laureates to spend a week together in “deep dialogue and playful laughter as they share their experience of how to find joy in the face of life’s challenges.” Set for 2016 publication, the book is in the form of a series of dialogues, reflecting the extraordinary friendship of the authors, who call each other “spiritual brother.” Hutchinson, part of Penguin Random House UK, has acquired the UK and Commonwealth (ex-Canada) English language rights to the book. “The ultimate source of happiness is within us,” the Dalai Lama said in a statement. “Not money, not power, not status, which fail to bring inner peace. Outward attainment will not bring real inner joyfulness. We must look inside,” he said. Archbishop Tutu added, “Sometimes life can be challenging and we can feel lost. But the seeds of joy are born inside each of us. I invite you to join His Holiness and me in creating more joy in our world.” The pair of spiritual leaders are inviting people to ask questions about joy and happiness they most want answered on the authors’ Facebook pages. The most popular will be addressed during the meetings in Dharamshala this month. Video footage of the answers will also be shared later, publishers said. Archbishop Tutu has encouraged people to “Send us your questions and help us write ‘The Book of Joy.’” The book would be co-written by Doug Abrams, who has worked with Tutu on previous books, and who will conduct the interviews. “While happiness is often seen as being dependent on external circumstances, His Holiness and the Archbishop believe that joy comes from an internal state of being. They will share how joy animates our lives and leads ultimately to a life of greater meaning and purpose and greater love and contribution,” Abrams said. Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu regarded as an world statesman, was a prominent leader in the crusade for justice and racial conciliation in South Africa. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso known as ambassador of peace had for many years developed dialogue with scientists, in psychology, neurobiology, quantum physics and cosmology that has led to a collaboration between monks and scientists in trying to help people achieve peace of mind. PTI