The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
Author: Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler
List Price: $23.95
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ISBN: 1573221112
Publisher: Riverhead Books (November, 1998)
Sales Rank: 1,806
Average Customer Rating: 3.92 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Happiness is the birthright of every human being.
This Buddhist leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize brings to a general audience his teachings of the Buddha Nature, which is the state of mind, present in all human beings, that is completely untainted by negative emotions and thoughts. He teaches the basis of being happy is to gain access to the warm and compassionate states of mind, that we all possess the potential for compassion, and our basic nature is gentleness. Often during his interviews, the Dalai Lama would break into a robust laugh, revealing his marvelous and gentle sense of humor. This book brings about a meeting of psychology and Buddhism, and shows us a way to defeat ordinary depression, anger, and anxiety. The Art of Happiness crosses the boundaries of all religious traditions to help readers with difficulties common to all of us, with discussions based on 25 centuries of Buddhist meditations. When I finished reading this book, I felt a strong longing to someday meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and until then, look at everything I could find on television and on the Internet about the author. (If you have a chance, watch CNN's documentary, "The Dalai Lama: At Home in Exile" which originally aired August 8, 1999, 9:00 PM E.T.)
Rating: 5 out of 5
We are all artists, and this is the medium to start with!
I have never found a book more enlightening or enriching to the soul as this one. I enjoyed Howard Cutler's flow of writing, and his style of presenting the Dalai Lama's message. He provides a great combination of the traditional Buddhist theories, enforced with common sense and practical scientific studies. I also admire the fact that ANYONE could relate to the teachings this book offers, regardless of their religion (or lack there of), age, or background. I have been interested in Buddhism, and would like to learn more on the religion, though I didn't feel the book pushed the religious system upon its readers. I liked the objective stance the book presented; it made for easy reading for a non-affiliated, yet spiritual, person like myself. I found myself reading it slowly, even reviewing the chapters, in an attempt to absorb the full meaning of the text. Each chapter reveals a piece of the puzzle, a small ingredient to the overall message: We can create lasting happiness for ourselves, and this goal is the tie that unites all of us on Earth. A truly inspirational book, it will bring out the artist in all who read it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
A Guide for How to Live This Life
The Dalai Lama is almost certainly the most sought after writer/teacher on Buddhism in the world to date. Every book he writes seems to make it's way to the top of bestseller lists, which isn't much of a surprise; after all, he's a great teacher and a figure whom the world saw victimized at the hands of Communist China's late leader Mao Tse-tung. His efforts for peace are well known and recognized the world over. The wonderful thing about this particular book, The Art of Happiness, is that (as is often the case) he is able to attract readers of all sorts of religious backgrounds. You do not have to be just Buddhist to understand what he has to say here.This undoubtedly is a "Handbook for Living" as the title suggests to all of us. To some of us whom are more familiar with complex and highly difficult literature titled "Self Help," the Dalai Lama's answers might seem a little bit simplistic. One of the central themes recurring in this book is embracing difficulty, a suggestion we all may have heard before. This is somewhat like a text that allows psychology and Buddhism to intermingle with one another without conflict, a trait which should attract plenty in the professional counseling field; I say that because this book handles issues like depression, building strong relationships, having a good family life, working on your anger and envy.
Okay, so this book might be impossible to live 100%, but it nevertheless provides us all with very good aspirations to strive for. The only thing required of us here is placing forth the effort and, when that task is completed, we will surely find our life in much better order. Even most of the old and modern philosophers will agree with the Dalai Lama on the following point: Happiness is the point of life. And like the Epicureans believed, this does not always mean seeking out apparent pleasure! The key of course is the Middle Way, which the Buddha Shakyamuni set forth (and lived by) for each and every one of us. Not too tight, and not too loose; that's the basic tenet this book follows, and rightfully so. So whether you are Christian, Moslem, Hindu, Jewish, and yes Buddhist, this book can enrich and strengthen your spiritual lives. So come buy the book, have a conversation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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