Radically Happy: A User's Guide to the Mind book cover

Radically Happy

A User's Guide to the Mind

Phakchok Rinpoche & Erric Solomon
3.86(295 Reviews)

Overview of Radically Happy

Ancient Buddhist wisdom meets Silicon Valley practicality in this mind-transforming guide. Can happiness really be cultivated through meditation? Harvard research suggests yes - and readers discover why this beautifully illustrated collaboration between a Tibetan Rinpoche and tech entrepreneur is revolutionizing modern mindfulness practice.

Key Themes in Radically Happy

  • present moment awareness
  • mental interpretation
  • happiness paradox
  • thought observation
  • emotional resilience

Quotes from Radically Happy

  • We're terrible at predicting what will make us happy.

  • Circumstances are inherently fleeting and unstable.

  • The pursuit of happiness through external circumstances paradoxically creates more frustration.

  • Our mind determines whether we find something joyful or sorrowful.

  • We become so engrossed in thinking about our thoughts that we forget our intention.

Characters in Radically Happy

  • Phakchok RinpocheRevered Tibetan Buddhist teacher and co-author
  • Erric SolomonFormer tech executive and co-author
  • Richard DavidsonNeuroscientist who studied the book's approach

About the Author

About the Author of Radically Happy

Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon, co-authors of Radically Happy: A User’s Guide to the Mind, blend Eastern wisdom and modern science to offer a transformative approach to well-being. Phakchok Rinpoche, a revered Tibetan Buddhist master recognized by the Dalai Lama, combines traditional monastic training with contemporary relevance, having studied under luminaries like Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

Erric Solomon, a former Silicon Valley technologist and MIT AI Lab participant, bridges mindfulness practices with insights from human-computer interaction, advocating for accessible meditation in secular and corporate settings. Their collaboration merges ancient Buddhist philosophy with pragmatic tools for modern challenges, emphasizing mindfulness and interconnectedness.

The book, foreworded by Daniel Goleman and Tara Bennett-Goleman, has garnered widespread acclaim, reflected in its 169 Amazon reviews. Phakchok Rinpoche’s teachings span global monasteries and universities, while Solomon’s work extends to prisons, tech firms like the World Bank, and platforms like Lion’s Roar. Both authors maintain active engagement through Solomon’s website (erricsolomon.com) and social media channels, fostering a dialogue between contemplative traditions and 21st-century innovation. Radically Happy has become a trusted resource for readers seeking actionable strategies to cultivate resilience and meaning.

Download Summary of Radically Happy

Get the Radically Happy summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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@Jaded_Falcon
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@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
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12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
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96
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4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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