Product Description "Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, the very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our life is towards happiness." --H.H. the Dalai Lama, from The Art of Happiness So popular and so rarely understood, this Nobel Peace Prize winner and man of great inner peace brings to a general audience the key to a happy life. In collaboration with a Western psychiatrist, The Art of Happiness is the first inspirational book for a general audience by the Dalai Lama. Through meditations, stories, and the meeting of Buddhism and psychology, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, or just an ordinary bad mood. He discusses relationships, health, family, and work to show us how to ride through life's obstacles on a deep and abiding source of inner peace. Based on 2,500 years of Buddhist meditations mixed with a healthy dose of common sense, The Art of Happiness crosses the boundaries of all traditions to help readers with the difficulties common to all human beings.
Amazon.com Review Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with the Dalai Lama and really press him about life's persistent questions? Why are so many people unhappy? How can I abjure loneliness? How can we reduce conflict? Is romantic love true love? Why do we suffer? How should we deal with unfairness and anger? How do you handle the death of a loved one? These are the conundrums that psychiatrist Howard Cutler poses to the Dalai Lama during an extended period of interviews in The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living.
At first, the Dalai Lama's answers seem simplistic, like a surface reading of Robert Fulghum: Ask yourself if you really need something; our enemies can be our teachers; compassion brings peace of mind. Cutler pushes: But some people do seem happy with lots of possessions; but "suffering is life" is so pessimistic; but going to extremes provides the zest in life; but what if I don't believe in karma? As the Dalai Lama's responses become more involved, a coherent philosophy takes shape. Cutler then develops the Dalai Lama's answers in the context of scientific studies and cases from his own practice, substantiating and elaborating on what he finds to be a revolutionary psychology. Like any art, the art of happiness requires study and practice--and the talent for it, the Dalai Lama assures us, is in our nature. --Brian Bruya
My Number 1 Recommended Book November 13, 2008 This book has the power to transform the reader. I often tell people it holds the 'secret to life.'
This book is based on a dialog between Cutler, a Western psychologist, and His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The connections made between western psychology and eastern beliefs are outstanding.
This is the perfect book for someone interested in The Dalai Lama, Buddhism, psychology, or just finding a better way to live.
You'll feel like you are sitting there in the room with The Dalai Lama yourself...and not wanting to leave.
Skim the parts by Cutler October 18, 2008 The interview format is a good way of presenting the Dalai Lama's philosophy, but the analysis by Cutler is not particularly insightful, nor is it well written. A little commentary about what he felt about or thought of the Dalai Lama's words on a particular subject would be appropriate, but Cutler goes on and on, with examples from his practice and descriptions of studies and articles from Western psychology. If I wanted to read a Western self-help book, I would. I was finding the whole thing tedious until I gave myself permission to skip Cutler's analysis. I also found Cutler's frequent descriptions of the Dalai Lama's demeanor (he chuckled warmly, he smiled serenely, etc.) smarmy and annoying.
Do read the words of the Dalai Lama. As mentioned in other reviews, they are simple but profound. Many times they caused a figurative light bulb to go off over my head, a genuine "wow, I never thought of it that way before." Cutler's contributions are the polar opposite, nothing I haven't heard or read before.
An excellent book for finding inner peace October 9, 2008 I highly reccomend this book to anybody searching for inner peace and happiness and a higher acceptance of all walks of people around us. Reading this book for me was life changing and helped me be more accepting to stressful situations and people around me, decreasing anger and dis-satisfaction significantly. The concept of how we all need each other and are interconnected is very important especially in todays fast paced competetive world. It is a book that I have re-read and reccomended to several people and also given as a gift.
It was great October 2, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I don't mean this in a negative way, but the Dalai Lama is one of the few people in this world who has the luxury of spending his days pondering enlightenment, what it takes to be happy, etc. The result is a book that rocks your world and makes you rediscover what you're after in life.
The best book he's written October 2, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Art of Happiness is a classic. It will change how you see your life and everyone around you. Guaranteed.
Through a series of in-depth conversations with the Dalai Lama, and through a number of the Dalai Lama's public addresses, Dr. Cutler explores what Tibetan Buddhism might have to offer to Western conceptions of happiness. Dr. Cutler begins with the Dalai Lama's words on the subject:
"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is toward happiness..."
As their further conversation reveals, however, Western notions of happiness have become confused with pleasure and the satisfaction of desire. Only by separating happiness from less durable forms of contentment can we truly achieve the happiness that the Dalai Lama believes is the goal of our lives.
Another great book I devoured recently after seeing it had an endorsement from the Dalai Lama is The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book
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