The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living (ISBN 0965668290)

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

Happiness According to the Dalai Lama:
This book is suppose to represent the Dalai Lama's views on happiness. Readers should know right off the bat that the Dalai Lama didn't actually write this book. Rather, the book is written by a Western psychiatrist who has had extensive converations with His Holiness. To insure that there were no "inadvertant distortions" of the Dalai Lama's ideas as a result of the editorial process, the Dalai Lama's interpreter reviewed the final manuscript. You be the judge as to whether that means this there was nothing "lost in translation". So who is this Dalai Lama, aka "His Holiness" anyway? And, why should we read a book about happiness by him? Well, the Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people according to Tibetan Buddhism- which in my book makes him a person I'd want to listen to when he talks, especially when it's on one of my favorite subjects, happiness. And if this all sounds like an interesting topic for a book, you should read it- you won't be disappointed. Now this is the kind of book I could write a long review of- simply because there's just so much wisdom packed into it. But, I think I'll take a short-cut with this one and just hit the highlights. The Dalai Lama believes that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Other happiness books have also taken this same position. For example, the book Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World refers to happiness as "the ultimate pursuit". On this most will agree, but what exactly does the Dalai Lama tell us about finding it? As with most of his ideas on things, the concept is clear and simple: happiness can be achieved through training the mind. According to the Dalai Lama, one begins by identifying those factors which lead to happiness, and those factors which lead to suffering. Having done this, one then sets about gradually eliminating those factors which lead to suffering and cultivating those which lead to happiness. That is the way. To that end, that's exactly what makes up the majority of this book's pages- ways to eliminate factors in your life that lead to suffering, and learning to foster those factors that lead to happiness. Some specific topics include: -facing suffering -dealing with anger, hatred, and anxiety -building self-esteem -deepening your connection to others When all is said and done, I'd have to say that the time you spend mulling over the book's 300-plus pages is going to be well worth it. For most readers, the Dalai Lama's wisdom and views will probably be very beneficial, if not transforming. Happy trails!

Short and to the point:
I will keep this short and sweet. There is some wisdom to be found here. It's always good to hear a different point of view, particularly one that has been analyzed as deeply as the art of happiness. My problem with it is this; What does the Dhali Lama know? He lives in a palace, he has servants, millions of adoring followers hanging on his every word, and he wants for nothing. It seems he has little or no experience with the type of lives that most people lead. If you're looking for wisdom that is applicable to your life, wouldn't it be more logical to get it from somebody who has actually faced some of the obstacles that you are faced with? Someone who has gone through some of the things that you are going through? I can't help but think that, if I were in the Lama's shoes I would probably be pretty happy too. Maybe I'm just naturally too skeptical or maybe I'm oversimplifying this. If we put his holiness behind the wheel of a truck and told him that he will be there until his kids graduate from college and his mortgage is paid off ( in about 20 years or so), will his happiness hold up? I don't know but I might be more inclined to listen to him under those circumstances. Find out for yourself, it's definitely worth the read.

Reminders of what we should know but often forget:
This was a Christmas present from my daughter and son in law. It's not something that I would have bought for myself, but I am glad they got it for me and I am glad that I have read it. This is not a book that one reading will suffice, there is a lot here and it's interesting. While there is a lot of ground covered, there isn't a lot of "new" stuff here, however most of it is presented in a fresh way, and as I am oft to quote, "we don't always need to be told, but we often need to be reminded...". One of the most important messages I got was that it's important to ask ourselves if what we are contemplating will make us happy, and to keep the difference between happiness and pleasure in mind, they get mixed up a lot and aren't at all the same thing. I gave this book only 3 stars, but I had to think about it a lot. If the psychologist writer had gotten out of the way more and not been as long winded on occasion, I probably wouldn't have hesitated to give it four instead.

My Number 1 Recommended Book:
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.

A CIA funded lama tells you how to be happy....:
A CIA funded lama tells you how to be happy....Isn't it funny? Dalai Lama has been suppressing other buddhist sectors in India....But here he tells you how to forgive and be happy....