How Joyous Effort Works (The Energy to Benefit Others)

Troy, a young man in his early twenties who has struggled with substance abuse and a quick-fisted temper, seeks to extinguish his habits of the past under the guidance of a Buddhist sage. Continuing his journey with the theme of the previous three books: “When the student is ready the master appears,” it’s in the thick of a New England summer when Troy meets Jules, a wise teacher and a master luthier (builder of string instruments). Using the luthiers’ skills as metaphor and meditative support, Jules guides Troy as he takes on the challenge of integrating the deeper points of the Buddhist view with every aspect of his own life. This includes navigating the death of his uncle, and balancing his spiritual practice with his relationship with Maggie, a young art student who works with him at the local diner. As Troy strives to truly comprehend what it means to develop wisdom, equanimity, and compassion, will he be able to gain mastery over his inner demons when things go dreadfully wrong?

This touching story of Troy’s journey presents one of the world’s most profound teachings on compassion and wisdom. Set in present day New England where the characters’ ordinary lives and challenges are recognizable as being similar to our own, we find that it is not necessary to be Buddhist to benefit from the teachings in this story.