Liza Varvogli

"The Pursuit of Joy: A Greek Philosophers’ Guide to Finding Happiness" by Liza Varvogli invites readers on a journey through ancient wisdom to uncover the keys to enduring happiness. Varvogli skillfully weaves together insights from renowned Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle with contemporary research from psychology and neuroscience.
The result attempts to be a thorough exploration of the abstract topic of joy, offering as a result some practical advice and reflection exercises to cultivate a fulfilling life rooted in eudaimonia—the highest form of happiness according to Greek philosophy. Several books on "eudaimonia" or "eudaimonics" have been written over the years, decades, centuries, millennia.

One of this book's strengths lies in its emphasis on balance and purpose, steering readers away from the pitfalls of hedonism towards a more holistic approach to well-being. Varvogli underscores the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships and finding purpose in one's pursuits as essential components of lasting happiness. Additionally, the inclusion of meditation scripts offers readers actionable tools to cultivate a joyful mindset and apply ancient wisdom to modern-day challenges. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned seeker of philosophical insights, "The Pursuit of Joy" serves as a valuable companion on the quest for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.… (altro)

NOTE: I received a free eBook copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers (August 2023).

I have Greek heritage and I love self-help, so naturally a self-help book inspired by Greek philosophy appealed to me. In "The Pursuit of Joy," psychotherapist Liza Varvogli expounds upon ten succinct quotes from several ancient Greek philosophers to make recommendations about how to live your best life in the contemporary world. Each of the ten chapters is based upon a different quote and explores a different facet of happiness and joy. Because each chapter is relatively self-contained, sometimes Varvogli has to generalize instead of taking a deep dive into specific ideas. However, her expertise really makes ancient wisdom come to life, showing that classical philosophy is timeless. Though Varvogli does not attest to be a philosopher herself, her incorporation of ancient Greek philosophy will likely inspire readers to learn more. My favorite quote was from Euripides: "The person who does the most things makes the most mistakes." Upon reading that chapter, I've already started integrating this outlook into my daily life and sharing it with others, transforming our outlook for the better! The exercises and meditations in each chapter are also very helpful, and can help revive a stagnant mindfulness practice. Each of the ten chapters could have easily been its own volume, and I encourage Varvogli to continue exploring these themes in her upcoming books.… (altro)

This is a great book for affirmations! WOW! I’ve read so many and now they sit on my shelves and collect dust, but not this one! I open it every morning and there’s literally an affirmation for anything I need that day. Any time I’m feeling down, or have low energy, I can literally flip to any page and find encouragement and energy to pick up my spirits and remind myself that I’m in charge of my own future. Everyone must grab a copy of this book and keep it handy. I know I do! I’m never without it! Thank you for selecting me to do an early review of this book. I just had technical difficulties in getting it to open on my device.… (altro)