The Art of Happiness

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

View other editions of The Art of Happiness.
View books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Howard Cutler.

good book, easy to read and understand - Rated
I personally found this book very helpful and enjoyed reading it. It is nice to be able to see things from a positive perspective and this book helps you to do that. Although it is probably worth mentioning that none of the wonderful ideas in this book will work without alott of effort and self discipline. It covers attitude and philosophy and does not include any real techniques or methods, but there are other books that do, and i find this book to compliment them well.

If you have a problem with the idea of trying to be a better person and the effort that it involves, then you may not find this book useful.

This book is mostly just words.(no pun intended)
Although if you consider the harm that cruel words can do, then surely kind words can help to ease the pain of others? As long as the words are sincere, then actions will, by definition, follow. I think sometimes it helps just to know that someone cares.

I am happier as a result of reading the ideas in this book! - Rated
This is an excellent book. Easy to read, uplifting, clear and full of strong and deep ideas.
If you are in any way hesitating about buying this book, don't! You will be very glad you did.....and happier.....

Drivel - Rated
If pretty words, wishful thinking and prayer (all the same thing, actually) changed the world, we'd all be already living in a better world. But they don't - you have to grow up and stop living the dream, yours, or even worse, somebody else's. And stop hankering after 'lost wisdom' from the 'mystic east' and other such childishness.

The style of this book lets it down - Rated
I first came to this book after one of my counselling clients mentioned that he had been reading it, and that he thought it had helped him to further understand how he needed to change. Intrigued, I decided to get my hands on the book to see if I could discover why he found it so useful.

As you could expect from a book that has the involvement of the Dalai Lama, what I found was a very spiritual, compassionate discourse on life. However, like a previous reviewer, I also found that the voice of Howard Cutler lets this book down. Although I can understand why they have decided to tackle this subject in the way they have - the book is set out as an interview between the two men, interspersed with anecdotes from Cutler's own experience - I feel that it takes focus away from the Dalai Lama's voice. I would prefer this book if it was just a commentary by the Dalai Lama.

That gripe aside, I think THE ART OF HAPPINESS is a delightful way to bring Western thinkers around to another way of seeing life and themselves. As a way of introducing Tibetan Buddhism, this book is a triumph - it is engaging, enjoyable, thought-provoking and an easy way of beginning an interest in this philosophy.
If you read this and enjoy it, I would also recommned that you then go and read some work by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk who writes beautiful books on Buddhism.

I loved this book.. - Rated
Common sense and easy.. Smile when you are happy, smile when you are sad..
result
happier living :o)