The pursuit of joy gets a radical makeover.
Polard, a German-born clinical psychologist and practitioner of “Zen Psychology” (a fusion of Zen Buddhism and Western behavioral study), imparts 20 years of research into theories of true contentedness by way of the “Two Wings of Happiness.” She believes these “wings” can be accessed once the Basic (relating to those surrounding us) and Supreme (the “Being” within) modalities of consciousness strike a synergistic balance. Polard provides sporadic schematics to aid novices eager to discover her new understanding and valuing of life and its potential for glee. The author offers an effective contrast between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions and notes how they can work together in relation to the cyclical nature of good deeds and karmic resolve. With careful instruction and compassionate guidance, she examines meditation, embracing insecurities, lightheartedness and the importance of defining and isolating strengths and deficiencies. Polard also provides recommendations on how to improve competence, ambition, receptivity and other traits with applicable exercises and supportive media material. Despite a prolix narrative on a well-worn subject, the author reinvigorates it with conceptual ponderings rooted in spiritual theory and substantiated with references drawn from economists, philosophers, professional journals, poems, prayers and even the sage musings of advice columnist Ann Landers. Happiness is accessible to anyone, writes Polard, as long as you keep an open mind and a willingness to be joyful.
Contemplative, upbeat enlightenment for spiritually inclined positive thinkers.
