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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1064 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

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

Review
Popular psychology takes a new turn with this extraordinary book in which psychiatrist Howard Cutler distils the wisdom of the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetans in exile. Using both public speeches and private discussions, Cutler reports the Dalai Lama's thoughts alongside a commentary based on modern psychiatric practice and research findings. In this remarkable work, blending both scientific insight and Tibetan Buddhist enlightenment, they explore various psychological themes - the purpose of life (happiness), the importance of compassion, relationships, loneliness, finding meanings in suffering, dealing with pain or anger. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
The Dalai Lama is one of the world’s great spiritual leaders. The recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and many other international awards, he receives constant and extensive media coverage. Howard C. Cutler is a psychiatrist who has had an interest in Buddhism for over 25 years. He has strong ties with the Tibetan community and was chosen by the Dalai Lama to present and interpret his ideas in this book for a wider non-Buddhist audience.

Customer Reviews

Self Explanatory
This book is very interesting. slightly disappointing for me though. It completely explains the technical definition of why & how we are unhappy. Obviously this book just explains unhappiness, it does not show us 'The Art of Happiness'. It isn't really helpful at all. It doesn't guide you into solving your unhappiness. It's quite limited & gives common examples of unhappiness. It's quite ignorant concerning some situations for example romance. A so-so book. a good read, to help one understand their unhappiness and the cause of it.

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!

Quite simply brilliant
Quite simply one of the best books i have personally ever read in my 27 years.
No amount of views good book reviews could do this book justice, the only thing that could would be if you gave this book to everyone as soon as they learnt to read.
The Dalai Lama's is quite a special person who despite everything he has been though in Tibet still has so much warmth and compassion.
This book is a simple read yet within it's pages contains so much knowledge and wisdom that if all of us on the planet put into practice the world would be a very different place indeed.
Stop reading this review and go and get hold of a copy of this book in anyway you can and simply, enjoy!