Radically Happy audiobook cover - A User's Guide to the Mind

Radically Happy

A User's Guide to the Mind

Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon

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Categories:
Mindfulness & Happiness

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Key Takeaways from Radically Happy

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Radically Happy

Mind Map

Radically Happy
The Nature of True Happiness+
Pillar 1: Basic Happiness+
Pillar 2: Interconnected Happiness+
Pillar 3: Radical Happiness+
Daily Practices+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What does the 1978 study of lottery winners and paraplegics demonstrate about happiness?
  • A. Lottery winners maintain a significantly higher level of happiness than paraplegics over time.
  • B. Traumatic events permanently lower an individual's baseline of happiness.
  • C. Circumstances and possessions do not lead to real, sustained happiness.
  • D. Financial security is a prerequisite for achieving basic happiness.
Question 2 of 8
In the book, what does the analogy of behaving 'like a lion' rather than 'like a dog' illustrate?
  • A. You should aggressively conquer your negative emotions instead of running away from them.
  • B. You should quietly observe your thoughts without impulsively chasing after every single one.
  • C. You should protect your loved ones fiercely to build interconnected happiness.
  • D. You should demand respect from others to build a foundation of quiet dignity.
Question 3 of 8
Why do the authors compare the human mind to a disruptive party guest?
  • A. Because the mind constantly seeks social validation and attention from others.
  • B. Because the mind naturally wants to celebrate and experience joy at inappropriate times.
  • C. Because the mind needs to be disciplined and forcefully kicked out of our awareness.
  • D. Because the mind ruins our enjoyment of the present by jumping from thought to thought.
Question 4 of 8
According to the text, what is an effective way to temper the automatic habit of comparing yourself to others?
  • A. Developing a daily habit of cultivating gratitude.
  • B. Striving to achieve more than your peers to build self-confidence.
  • C. Isolating yourself from negative influences and social media.
  • D. Analyzing your flaws objectively during morning meditation.
Question 5 of 8
What is the primary purpose of taking 'mindful mini-breaks' throughout the day?
  • A. To give your brain a rest from complex problem-solving tasks at work.
  • B. To ensure you don't depend solely on dedicated meditation sessions to be present.
  • C. To socialize with colleagues and build interconnected happiness.
  • D. To quickly write down your thoughts in a daily gratitude journal.
Question 6 of 8
What does the example of buying a bottle of wine at the local liquor store illustrate?
  • A. The importance of treating yourself to small luxuries to boost daily happiness.
  • B. How financial decisions impact our overall well-being and stress levels.
  • C. The danger of relying on external possessions to cope with disruptive thoughts.
  • D. The fact that our seemingly independent choices are actually the product of a massive web of interdependencies.
Question 7 of 8
How do the authors suggest dealing with the brain's natural tendency to harshly judge others?
  • A. By completely shutting off the brain's judging mechanisms through deep meditation.
  • B. By relaxing your attitude about your judgments and gradually sharing joy with everyone, including enemies.
  • C. By confronting people who annoy you to resolve underlying conflicts.
  • D. By only interacting with people who have proven themselves to be kind and caring.
Question 8 of 8
What is the key difference between cultivating 'basic happiness' and achieving 'radical happiness' during meditation?
  • A. Basic happiness requires focusing on an object, while radical happiness involves observing thoughts without clinging to them.
  • B. Basic happiness is achieved through relationships, while radical happiness is achieved in isolation.
  • C. Basic happiness comes from external circumstances, while radical happiness comes from internal financial freedom.
  • D. Basic happiness takes years to master, while radical happiness can be achieved instantly through gratitude.

Radically Happy — Full Chapter Overview

Radically Happy Summary & Overview

What’s it about?

Radically Happy (2018) is a practical yet personal guide to achieving true happiness. In it, timeless Eastern wisdom meets modern Western practicality as it teaches the keys to happiness according to a Tibetan Buddhist monk and a former Silicon Valley technologist. Packed with scientific insights and meditation exercises, it provides a toolkit for achieving a genuine, lasting sense of well-being. 

Who Should Listen to Radically Happy?

Who’s it for?

  • Skeptics who still need convincing about the benefits of meditation
  • Meditators who want to add new elements to their practice
  • Those tired of a fruitless search for true happiness

About the Author: Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon

About the author

Phakchok Rinpoche hails from a long line of great spiritual teachers and is a master in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, holding the prestigious title of Khenpo. He teaches meditation in universities all over the world. 

Erric Solomon is a meditation instructor who leads seminars and retreats in corporate settings, prisons, and temples across Europe and the United States. Previously, he was a top Silicon Valley tech executive.

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