What Is Happiness?: A Monk's Guide to a Happy Life Hardcover – January 20, 2026

This timely meditation on taking ownership of our own happiness distills the wisdom of one of the world’s most revered monks and teachers into a conversational, approachable guide to understanding ourselves and our emotions."When I ask people, 'Are you happy?' in my talks, very few people say 'yes.' " There are many things that seem to prevent us from being happy in our lives. Usually, things don't turn out the way we want them to. It could be unfulfilled goals, bad habits, a society that's built to benefit only those at the very top, or the loops of self-deprecation that many of us find ourselves falling into. But there is more hope than we may realize. With his simple yet profound teachings, Buddhist monk Pomnyun Sunim demonstrates how to combat day-to-day anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement. He explains why humans are prone to self-destruction and redirects our focus to finding happiness. Written in a conversational and gently inquisitive style, this book is the perfect guide for anyone who is ready to take control of their happiness—no matter what life throws their way. Read more