The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
by Dalai Lama XIV
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2000)
Read in November, 1998
Sometimes I don't know what to think of the Dalai Lama. He releases books like Neil Young releases albums and he's always hobnobbing with movie stars. I don't know if he's got the capitalist bug since moving to the west or if he just has a good agent/marketing team or if he is genuinely just trying to get his word out. I'm hoping it's mostly the latter two, but what difference does it make really?
I've read a couple of his books and a few books about his life, but this is the first one that p...more
I've read a couple of his books and a few books about his life, but this is the first one that p...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Beth by:
Brij Sabhlok - a library patron from India
This is the first Dalai Lama book I've read and I was hooked from the beginning when he explained that our goal in life is happiness since unhappy people can't help others. Striving for happiness can be an altruistic thing rather than a self-absorbing pursuit. It also changed my view on what true happiness could look like. I liked having the western psychiatrist's questions and viewpoints throughout the book since I found myself asking many of the same questions as I was reading.
Some of th...more
Some of th...more
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I love the Dalai Lama and everything he says in this book. However, Cutler's input mostly detracts from the teachings of the Dalai Lama. At best, he makes small, often insignificant links between the Dalai Lama's point and western science. Like how he made the connection between Buddhism's idea of training the mind to the scientific idea of "plasticity" which proves that, indeed, you can train the mind. Was that ever really a question though? I didn't need to be convinced of that... At...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
people interested in incorporating Buddhist philosophies into Western life
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I definitely learned a lot from it. The Dalai Lama's words are so powerful, his experiences so inspiring and his mixture of spiritual and philosophical wisdom with uncommon common sense completely unique. The only reason that I gave it four, rather than five, stars is that the psychiatrist "co-author" injected way too much of his own personality and experiences into the book. This is a book that will attract people that are interested in the D...more
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Read in December, 2007
This is a book that has to be read slowly and with determination, with many pauses for looking-off-into-the-distance-deep-in-thought. It is not BY the Dalai Lama so much as it is about the Dalai Lama, interviews with him, thoughts on his beliefs and practices. It took me a long time to get through, but I really enjoyed it. I think that if everyone tried to fit a little Buddhism into their lives (not a little Buddhist, but a little BuddhISM), we would all be much calmer and happier, more patient ...more
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Read in January, 2008
I tried to read this book in 2001 and again in 2008. I just can't do it. I like the idea of this book - a western psychologist's conversations with the Dali Lama - but it just doesn't work for me. Here are the two things that happen when I try to read it:
1- The psychologist sets up questions to the Dali Lama that I want to answer myself so my mind trails off and I think about my own answer rather than read the one in the book.
2- It gets too self-helpy and I can't do it. I am fine wit...more
1- The psychologist sets up questions to the Dali Lama that I want to answer myself so my mind trails off and I think about my own answer rather than read the one in the book.
2- It gets too self-helpy and I can't do it. I am fine wit...more
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Read in March, 2008
Much to my surprise and dismay, this book was not written by the Dalai Lama. Instead, some psychiatrist with relatively poor writing skills summarized some discussions he had with the Dalai Lama (as well as some speeches that he gave). Overall, the book was a disappointment and a struggle to get through. I am still interested in Buddhist philosophies and how non-Buddhists can incorporate these teachings into everyday live, but this boring, superficial, and second-hand account was not the best...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone
I was given tickets to a talk by the Dalai Lama during his most recent visit to Ithaca, the location of his North American monestary. Not knowing much about the Dalai Lama, except, you know, he's the Dalai Lama, it was a powerful experience to go in with no expectations. He has a laugh that fills up the room and lives his beliefs. This book was cowritten with a american doctor about 10 years ago. It's a quick read and is simple without being simplistic. If any of us could incorporate one of...more
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Read in August, 2005
Borrowed from Leslie - awesome book. It gave me a lot to think about. Compassion is so hard sometimes though. Sometimes it feels good to be angry... doesn't it? Mayb eit's just easier than keeping cool. The part about anxiety was what really higt me (of course) - it made so much sense. That if you have honest motives and a realistic self-concept, you can avoid anxiety. The hard thing is making positive thoughts a habit and eliminating the negative ones.
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The Dalai Lama is fine, of course... I'm just not sure if Howard Cutler's interviewing is up to par with the interviewee or subject matter. It seems like there were alot of repeated, ambiguous and irrelevant questions with too many interviewer-injected reflections, opinions and angles. (Way too much "Howard" in this book... when I just want "Dalai".)
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This book is actually written by a psychiatrist and includes extensive interviews with the Dalai Lama about how to be a generally happier person. Parts of the book are really great, and a couple of sections are a little bland, mostly depending on what questions the author is asking. The Dalai Lama's amazing traits come across throughout, however. His pragmatic, logical, and yet also spiritual approach to everything.
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Read in February, 2004
I really felt at peace while reading this book. I have read many religious texts from varying schools of thought and sometimes (often in fact) they get quite philosphical and over the head of the average person. This however really hit the right note with me. By expounding upon some of the basic tenements of Buddhism, the authors show how practicing kindness, peace of mind and simplicity lead to happiness.
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Read in January, 2001
Surprisingly, this is not as enlightening as I had expected. I think the coauthor's weaving of his own story takes away from the Dalai Lama's perspective. Perhaps because the coauthor, a medical doctor, comes from a biomedical perspective, but his words pull down on the Dalai Lama's spirituality, leaving the reader wanting more enlightenment. I highly recommend reading Live in a Better Way instead.
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When I read this book, which I periodically pick up and read to redirect my energy in a positive way, I am reminded of how truly great this man is. I am reminded that all religions have a commonality and I feel in my heart that the great religious figures (such as Jesus, Mohammed, etc.) would agree with what this man has to say. Yet, he is alive and walks among us today.
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Hilary by:
My husbandrecommends it for: Anyone Seeking Happiness in their Lives
This book is an entirely inspiring book about the ways that Buddhists live their lives and how we Westerners can learn from them in our everyday lives.
It was conducted as an interview/commentary by the Dalai Lama and a Western Psychologist.
This is the second time I have read it, and it never ceases to inspire me. I find different things in it every time I pick it up.
It was conducted as an interview/commentary by the Dalai Lama and a Western Psychologist.
This is the second time I have read it, and it never ceases to inspire me. I find different things in it every time I pick it up.
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Read in February, 2007
The Dalai Lama discusses the "art of happiness" and how to achieve inner peace. I have to say.. a lot of what he says does seem a tad simplistic in nature but very true and I was often able to relate it to my personal life. This is one of those books that you need to read often as it is easy to forget what is important when we live in such hectic times.
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Read in September, 2003
I'm a fan of reading anything and everything that the Dalai Lama has to say, so from that perspective, this is a great book.
The author supplements the lessons with his own (mostly academic) ideas and statistics from his professional career, which I found added little. Let the Dalai Lama talk -- that's the reason we're reading the book anyway.
The author supplements the lessons with his own (mostly academic) ideas and statistics from his professional career, which I found added little. Let the Dalai Lama talk -- that's the reason we're reading the book anyway.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Jessica by:
Jessica recommends it for: Jackie
I have learned patience, tolerance, forgiveness and understanding. I also learned that if I can answer yes to all of these questions that I ask myself, that I'm doing what is required of me;
1. Did I make an effort?
2. Was I determined?
3. Did I make time?
This book has also given me some of the tools that I need to full fill a happy life.
1. Did I make an effort?
2. Was I determined?
3. Did I make time?
This book has also given me some of the tools that I need to full fill a happy life.
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Read in January, 1996
I wanted to love this book, being a fan of the Dalai Lama and interested in Buddhist philosophy. But I had a hard time getting through it. Maybe I should create a "to read again" shelf and put it on there with The Old Man and the Sea and all those other books I wasn't so crazy about the first time around but which everyone else loved.
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recommends it for:
those interested in spirituality and a path to peace
I am reading this book a little at a time, rereading sections when I need to. This book is like a long interview with the Dalai Lama, and while I'm not crazy about the interviewer and his asides, the words of the Dalai Lama are so... enlightening, I guess is the best word. Uplifting and quietly brilliant.
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