The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
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Amazon.co.uk 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
Product Description
This will be the first book by the Dalai Lama written to appeal to a general audience and focusing on the practical application of his spiritual values.
The Dalai Lama's commentary is amplified and augmented from a contemporary western perspective by psychiatrist Howard Cutler to make this a genuinely accessible self-help guide.
Addressing every kind of daily problem, the subjects covered include: the sources of happiness; desire and greed; marriage and romance; resolving conflict; facing our suffering; overcoming fear and anxiety; anger and hatred; honesty and self-confidence; finding balance.
The Dalai Lama's commentary is amplified and augmented from a contemporary western perspective by psychiatrist Howard Cutler to make this a genuinely accessible self-help guide.
Addressing every kind of daily problem, the subjects covered include: the sources of happiness; desire and greed; marriage and romance; resolving conflict; facing our suffering; overcoming fear and anxiety; anger and hatred; honesty and self-confidence; finding balance.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The style of this book lets it down,
By
This review is from: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living (Paperback)
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.
89 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of East and West.,
By
This review is from: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living (Paperback)
Here is a surprisingly good book, written by a psychiatrist who interviewed the Dalai Lama many times. The book is a combination of narrative by the author and extended quotes of the Dalai Lama's answers. And Cutler asks some good questions.Sometimes the Dalai Lama's answers seem simple. Part of it is the language. English is obviously not his first language, so he uses almost nothing but ordinary, everyday English -- no jargon, no technical terms, no psychiatric lingo. And yet he obviously has a profound grasp of human nature. Another reason his answers sound simple is because they are rooted in practicality. He isn't trying to explain how things are, he's trying to describe what you can DO to become happier. Descriptions of actions are much simpler and more concrete than explanations. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I found the psychiatrist's orientation and the Dalai Lama's practicality combined to make some excellent self-help. I've tried many of the Dalai Lama's suggestions and they really work. One of his suggestions is to think about the similarities between you and other people -- specifically that they want to be happy, just like you do, and they also suffer, just like you do. I know it sounds almost too basic, but when I've actually thought about that while talking to someone, I feel noticeably closer to the person, and that feeling of closeness is relaxing, soothing, calming, and very pleasant. That feeling of closeness increases my happiness. The Art of Happiness is an excellent book and I recommend it highly.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
serene wisdom, but not a great of practical help,
By
This review is from: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living (Paperback)
I met the Dalai Lama once, in Dharamsala, although I didn't speak to him - I shook his hand, and he gave me a red cotton wristband. What impressed me was that he really looked at me with his full attention, and smiled, and seemed to radiate benevolence. This book radiates benevolence in the same way, looking at happiness from the Buddhist point of view, and suggesting how to live in such a way as to increase our well-being. There is a great deal of emphasis on compassion, and on understanding our own minds, and how our own negative thoughts and emotions create discord in our lives. It's wise and well-written, but I did miss a little bit of more practical advice, some concrete steps on what we can do increase our happiness. To make up for this omission, perhaps this book needs to read together with a book such as Authentic Happiness. I must also recommend Waking From Sleep by Steve Taylor, which Eckhart Tolle calls 'One of the best books on spiritual awakening I have read.' Waking From Sleep: Why Awakening Experiences Occur and How to Make them Permanent
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