Summary

This chapter focuses on Abrams question to Tutu, specifically, about how he maintains joy in the face of suffering. Whether the suffering is physical such as the Archbishop’s prostate cancer, or political such as his struggle under the oppression of apartheid, Abrams seeks to discover what Archbishop Tutu does to remain joyful in the exact moment of frustration.

Archbishop Tutu counters by stating that suffering is part of the recipe for generating compassion. Suffering, or more specifically one’s approach to suffering, can define one’s capacity for compassion and ultimately joy. Thus, in the face of suffering, Archbishop Tutu claims a form of acceptance is necessary; one must realize that emotions are inevitable and uncontrollable. But one also has the power to train their mind to not be so self-centered. Selfishness, the Dalai Lama agreed, would never...