From the psychological perspective, Confucius (551-479 BCE, China) seemed to have taken on the role of counselor and therapist to help people thrive as human beings. Towards this end, what can be discerned from his brief autobiography, as well as the map of the psyche recorded by a disciple, reveals that he not only taught, but also lived, a path of peace that began with learning about existential destiny and culminating with reconciliation with the special human opportunity to self-actualize. The feedback on being on the right track is the multi-leveled peace that comes with making sense of life and growing the self. The accompanying joy and delight is the state of mind Confucius would recommend as attitude to nurture in converting "trials and tribulations" to "puzzles and potentialities" along the human journey.
The two essays in the book explore junzidao, the path Confucius lived and taught, and three types of life delights as found in the Confucian texts.