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Matthieu Ricard
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Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill Paperback – 11 Jan. 2007

by Matthieu Ricard (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,900 ratings
See all formats and editions
This step-by-step guide to achieving happiness is the most significant book of its kind. A remarkable book. It is hard to imagine a more convincing guide to that elusive thing: happiness.' Pankaj Mishra Although we are materially better off than ever before, surveys show that we are depressed and listless. Ricard's revolutionary book, free of arcane jargon, shows that happiness is not just an emotion, but a skill that can be developed. This book contains 20-minute exercises to train the mind to recognise and pursue a lasting happiness.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Atlantic Books
  4. Publication date
    11 Jan. 2007
  5. Dimensions
    13 x 1.9 x 19.9 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1843545586
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1843545583
  8. See all details
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  1. Best Sellingin this set of products
    The Happiness Trap 2nd Edition: Stop Struggling, Start Living
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  6. The Monk and the Philosopher: East meets west in a father-son dialogue
  7. Notebooks of a Wandering Monk
  8. The Miracle Of Mindfulness: The Classic Guide to Meditation by the World's Most Revered Master (Rider 100)
  9. Beyond the Self: Conversations between Buddhism and Neuroscience (The MIT Press)
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Product description

Review

`A remarkable book, untainted by the pretentious tone of many works that
offer life-enhancing advice.' -- Robert Chalmers, Independent on Sunday

About the Author

Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas thirty-five years ago. He is a bestselling author, translator and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives and works on humanitarian projects in Tibet and Nepal. Happiness was published by Atlantic Books in 2007.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atlantic Books; Main edition (11 Jan. 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1843545586
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1843545583
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 1.9 x 19.9 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,900 ratings

About the author

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Matthieu Ricard

Matthieu Ricard

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Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas 35 years ago. He is a bestselling author, translator and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives and works on humanitarian projects in Tibet and Nepal.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,900 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book interesting, enjoyable, and well-rounded. They say it provides plenty of food for thought and is practical. Readers also describe the writing as accessible and simple.

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ReadabilityInsightEase of readingValue for money
51 customers mention ‘Readability’51 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, enjoyable, and wonderful. They say it rewards repeated listening and is an excellent companion to the course. Readers also mention it's beautifully written and full of good sound common sense.

"Excellent book. Very profound and equally it is a very practical book with insights I think about frequently in daily life...." Read more

"...Still it was an engaging read and a helpful guide." Read more

"Good quality" Read more

"This is a wonderful book. It is wise and practical. A great many of my friends have asked me to get them one...." Read more

40 customers mention ‘Insight’37 positive3 negative

Customers find the book profound, practical, and inspiring. They say it makes excellent points and rewards them. Readers also mention the book is well-researched, full of wisdom, and stories to help them on their journey. They appreciate the great practical meditation tips and walk-throughs. Overall, they describe the message as simplicity and hope.

"Excellent book. Very profound and equally it is a very practical book with insights I think about frequently in daily life...." Read more

"...Still it was an engaging read and a helpful guide." Read more

"...The author has a very charismatic way of writing, interesting philosophical insights (with strong Buddhist roots) and is different from other..." Read more

"Ricard constructs a very evidence based and convincing argument around the theory that Buddhism can actually improve and enrich life and personal..." Read more

18 customers mention ‘Ease of reading’18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They appreciate the wonderful writing and wisdom. Readers also mention the author has a charismatic way of writing, interesting philosophical insights, and manageable style.

"...The author has a very charismatic way of writing, interesting philosophical insights (with strong Buddhist roots) and is different from other..." Read more

"...It very well explains how self-induced emotions combine to destroy our sense of well being...." Read more

"...the happy knack of presenting eastern philosophical themes in a very accessible way for the western reader." Read more

"...leaders and psychologists to offer a well rounded, and enjoyable, read...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Value for money’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the purchase, saying it's well worth making the effort. They also appreciate the great quality at a reasonable price.

"...to work through it - it isn't a casual read - but it is well worth making the effort...." Read more

"...my own words, because it discusses alot of different things... it's really worth it." Read more

"It is an excellent and positive reading. Great choice during this challenge time at home. Thanks for sharing this experience." Read more

"Great quality at a reasonable price. Very satisfied." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

RugbyFan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2015
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Excellent book. Very profound and equally it is a very practical book with insights I think about frequently in daily life.
It sounds cheesy but I would say this is one of the few books I have ever read which could transform the way I think about my life.
I found it also gave a very good insight into Buddhist thinking which I didn't know much about but was keen to learn more.
PS I didn't buy it from Amazon however as they were a rip off. Their cynical price of £9.98 meant it is £0.02 under the free delivery threshold of £10.00 so it would have cost me £12.75 via Amazon. Instead I got the same edition for £8.28 from Bookdepositary.com including free delivery worldwide.
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Mal Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars My Desert Island Book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2012
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I've read several books on happiness but have found no more effective and convincing guide than this. Many other authors fall into "the Texas housewife" fallacy. Research shows that the average housewife is quite happy - but Ricard asks what happens if something goes wrong, if she loses her job or her child dies. Then he points to ways to overcome grief, or a reduced lifestyle - skillful ways to be, or become, happy in any situation. This advice is for everyone, not just the Texas housewife.

Part of the Texas housewife fallacy is the idea that you can only be happy if you have an excellent marriage, loadsa money, zippy social life, and so on. I'd often wondered if such authors had ever considered the wise hermit in the cave. We've all heard he's the happiest man. Well, Ricard actually is that man!(There are MRI results that prove it, although he is too modest to claim that title.)

Fans of Aristotle may now be grumbling about such brain centred results - saying happiness is flourishing. But this makes happiness seem like something only a superwoman Texas housewife can have! Not only a good job, and a great marriage, but she must also be a leader in the community. Ricard undermines Aristotle, with Buddha's help, and shows that happiness is, indeed, all in the mind, it's 'feeling good', it's 'joie de vivre'. The hermit can have joie de vivre. Anyone, with the right mentality, can 'feel good' most of the time. There is the caveat that people must be alive to the suffering of others, though; there is no retreat into solipsism. Ricard has taken the bodhisattva vow. Writing this book is, probably, part of living up to that.

Ricard frequently uses examples from Western Culture, as well as Buddhism, to illustrate his points. He's the son of a famous Parisian philosopher, and is an excellent position to do this. For instance, early in the book, he points to Glenn Gould, Bobby Fischer, and Baudelaire. He says he didn't want to be like them (wouldn't we all agree!) We might pause and think, but, hey, these guys are at the pinnacle of Western Culture! But are they happy?

Later in the book he undermines the negative side of bigger, stabler, cultural figures, like Kant and Aristotle. This is all done with the lightest touch and in a language anyone can understand. At one point, he even demolishes Bach (!) Maybe "demolish" is a bit strong - he praises Bach for producing beautiful music, but points out that we can only listen to even this music for a short time without becoming bored. We need something else to make us happy most of the time - like the skills taught to us by the Buddha and his followers.
9 people found this helpful
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P JACKSON
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and insightful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 July 2021
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Written very much from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy perhaps more could have been said about the genetic and personality predispositions that make just being contented so difficult for so many people. Still it was an engaging read and a helpful guide.
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Magisterium
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast review of an important book, got to rush to work !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2016
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As a parent trying to raise two children in London, with a full-on job in IT, I feel challenged regarding finding time to learn how to meditate, though I want to. I think I believe in the cognitive psychology discussed in this book, there is evidence to support it. CBT has helped me somewhat over the years.
I do wonder though how 'natural' it is for humans to be able to follow Buddhist beliefs around interdependence, compassion and altruism, and removing ones ego.
But I think Buddhism with these and other concepts is, when examined in the cold light of day, the best 'religion' out there in terms of sowing the least, or no destruction, and of developing one's best self, even though personally I am going to throw my lot in with the Humanists : let's face it, deep down, everybody today must sense the reality that supernatural beings did not exist on the Earth performing miracles and our Gods exist only in our minds. Perhaps out there, there might be an extremely powerful creator of everything, but that creator, possibly of countless other alien worlds, is not going to favour one set of homo sapiens over another.

Two questions :

1 - Why is Buddhism, with its message of tolerance and compassion to all sentient things, not nearly as successful in its take-up as say one of the rampaging big three monotheistic religions ? It should be vastly more successful. If everybody followed Buddhist principles, the world would be transformed into a beautiful and peaceful place overnight for all sentient creatures. My answer is, that it's too much hard work to follow, to be constantly vigilant around your random thoughts, to keep your emotions of selfishness, anger, envy, revenge etc, at bay. Those emotions expressed over the millenia are why the world is where it is today, not in a great place.

2 - Does Buddhism expect total compassion to all beings? What about to a group like ISIS ? Possible to show compassion and empathy here ? That's stretching compassion for me.

So onto Happiness. I will try not to get entangled with my thoughts around past regrets, or worry about what might or might not happen in the future. Or let my emotions get the better of me. I am trying hard to live in the present moment, during my long drives to work and short walks through the woodland sanctuary. I will join a meditation group one evening per week.
9 people found this helpful
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They are okay
3.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2024
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Good quality
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S Moc
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2013
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It took me about one year to finish this book, yet coming back to it every now and then helped me a lot. Your mileage may vary depending on how much you take everything literally and how much you are willing to bend your perspectives on the world.

The author has a very charismatic way of writing, interesting philosophical insights (with strong Buddhist roots) and is different from other authors in this area, coming from a scientific research background.

It's a book I will gladly gift to my close friends, yet I don't realistically expect all my friends to get the same benefit out of it as I did.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Mikers
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed the book
Reviewed in the United States on 7 September 2024
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This book was on the reading list for a class I took. The author is outstanding, i will read others by him.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Tudo o que. Ice precisa saber mas tem dificuldade em atingir para ser feliz
Reviewed in Brazil on 4 March 2021
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Excelente leitura, reforçada com exercícios e exemplos. Em resumo, passagens simples, ligadas ao cotidiano de qualquer um mas sob uma ótica difícil de se obter sem as ferramentas e a dedicação necessárias
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Cliente de Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enlightening reading
Reviewed in Mexico on 9 September 2020
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Easy to read and understand. Basics concepts very well explained. Put in practice and enjoy every single moment of our lives.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
Reviewed in Canada on 19 October 2019
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Clear, captivating, and interesting, Ricard explains what stands in the way of happiness. He then provides clear instructions, with meditation exercises, on how to follow a path to happiness. Very impressed with this book.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW
Reviewed in Spain on 2 October 2019
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This is not a book, it is a timeless companion to hold near each step of our lifes in order to enhance its quality. It's not that I recommend it, I would make it mandatory
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