August 09, 2025

The surprising way happiness makes us more generous

Have you ever been told that focusing on your own happiness is selfish? Many of us grew up with that idea. Yet research, history, and lived...

Have you ever been told that focusing on your own happiness is selfish?

Many of us grew up with that idea. Yet research, history, and lived experience point to something much different. When we nurture happiness, we often become more openhearted, creative, and generous.

This Sunday’s message explores how sharing happiness changes us and the world around us. You will hear real-life stories of people who took their joy seriously and in doing so, transformed their neighborhoods, sparked global acts of kindness, and inspired thousands. You will also discover practical, research-based ways to nurture your own happiness, even when life feels uncertain.

Whether you are facing challenges, seeking more meaning, or looking for ways to bring your best self into your relationships and community, you will leave with fresh insights and simple practices you can use right away. Together we will explore how happiness, far from being a luxury, can be a spiritual responsibility that deepens our ability to meet life with generosity and hope.

Join us this Sunday at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. Services are at 9 am and 11 am, in person or live online. Let’s explore how sharing happiness can change everything.

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works

Reviews

“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit

Edward Viljoen

The surprising way happiness makes us more generous

Post a Comment:

Search This Blog

Followers

Contact Me

Donate

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

Popular Posts

Science of Mind and Spirit For Begnners

You Might Enjoy These

Seeing Good At Work

The Power of Meditation

Purchase The Power of Meditation

Popular topics

Ordinary Goodness

Reviews