Product Description

Why is 'being happy' such an imperative nowadays? What meaning do people give happiness? In this book Abbot Christopher turns to monastic wisdom to offer answers, and to explain that in essence, happiness is a gift not an achievement, the fruit of giving and receiving blessings. Following the same accessible and engaging format of Finding Sanctuary, Abbot Christopher takes different aspects of happiness, examines them, tells us what monastic wisdom has to say about them, and offers us steps towards our own journey to finding happiness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95334 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Sue Gaisford, THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
'a valiant attempt to suggest ways in which elements of the monastic life can bring serenity and calm to our frantic and turbulent world.'

Review
"I'm with the Abbot! " (MELANIE PHILLIPS THE MORAL MAZE (BBC RADIO 4) )

"Following the same accessible and engaging format of Finding Sanctuary, Abbot Christopher Jamison looks in turn at the demons that make us unhappy." (THE UNIVERSE Britain & Ireland's bestselling Catholic newsp'r )

"friendly... clever....original..." (THE TABLET - 22 November )

About the Author
Father Christopher Jamison is the Abbot of Worth, a Benedictine monastery in Sussex, which featured in the BBC2 series 'The Monastery' (3 million viewers). Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1951, he studied at Downside School and Oxford University. After becoming a monk in 1973, he taught at Worth School and became Headmaster in 1994. He was elected Abbot in 2002, is President of the International Commission on Benedictine Education and sits on the Council of the Alliance for International Monasticism, a body that promotes links between monasteries across the North/South divide. He is the author of Finding Sanctuary.

Customer Reviews

Comments by Michael Calum Jacques, author of '1st Century Radical'.
This reviewer found the reading and poring over of this book to be rewarding experiences. The reader may or may not be familiar with the author, Christopher Jamison, who is the Abbot of Worth Abbey and known beyond the cloisters through various radio interviews and dialogues, as well as through the BBC's innovative television series entitled 'The Monastery'.

It may seem to be a strange thing to say, but - despite the fact that the book's theses rest upon ancient Christian rules and doctrines - this thinking itself, evident within its pages, did not strike this reviewer as being overtly or intensely 'religious' in its general tenor. I am pleased to say that a former Cistercian monk, and a personal friend of mine, agreed that this appeared to be the case to him also.

At the most, we supposed that the approach in this book may be said to be 'ecumenical', but it contains a good deal of extra-biblical contributions and thoughts, too. As Karen Robinson (Times Online, 16 November)so succinctly described it, "Full of a wisdom that transcends religious dogma".

There are unquestionably one or two aspects of the author's presentation which will collide with the more materially minded and centred amongst us, but this book is designed to advise and ever-so-gently palliate our beings, souls, psyches (or whichever nomenclature we feel comfortable with) into an altogether better, wholesome and healthy frame. If that is kept in mind, it is this reviewer's opinion that this book can be of genuine assistance for the person struggling with the problems of modern day living with all of its complexities, hurdles, and dangers to peace of mind which threaten that elusive bluebird of 'happiness'.

Michael Calum Jacques (author of 1st Century Radical: the shadowy origins of the man who became known as Jesus Christ)

An Antidote to Modern Life!
Finding Happiness is one of those rare gems of a book that serenely guides you through the trials of modern day life. Father Jamison takes the reader hand in hand to genuine inner joy. "Are monks happy?" His reply, "They are not unhappy." That grabbed me straight away, along with his question about having a happy death! Having never thought about death being happy, on the rare occasions I think about death. I realised that to have a happy death, equates to having a happy and fulfilled life.

With his profound insights, and effective communication, this book remarkably mirrors humanities embedded condition. With such elegance, we're guided through many of the reasons that make us unhappy.



Ultimately the dark clouds dissipate, opening the door to inner happiness, if you so choose..



This book is of a solid foundation to make a significant change in your life. Its timing in this troubled era is perfect.

Finding Happiness by the Process of Elimination
Interestiong book. It's written by Abbott Christopher Jamison, host of "The Monastery" -a documentary BBC television series. The basic idea that runs through the book is that happiness comes to people indirectly as the fruit of defeating the causes of our unhappiness. To that end, a major chunk of the book is spent discussing "eight thoughts" to get you heading in the right direction (acedia, gluttony, lust, greed, anger, sadness, vanity, and pride).

No "happiness formula" here, just at lot of good wisdom of a religious flavor. Readers wanting a more scientific look at happiness might be better off with a book like Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World.