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The Ten Worlds: The New Psychology of Happiness
Everyone wants happiness that endures. So why are so few people able to achieve it? Having spent over two decades researching the answer to this question, Drs. Lickerman and ElDifrawi argue in this eminently practical and groundbreaking new book—presented as a series of Platonic dialogues recounting real-life patient experiences—that enduring happiness eludes us because we're profoundly confused about what happiness is.
According to Lickerman and ElDifrawi, we all have nine basic beliefs about how to achieve lasting happiness, and all of them are wrong. Unfortunately, these nine erroneous beliefs about how to achieve lasting happiness—what Lickerman and ElDifrawi term the core delusions—are so deeply embedded in our thinking that we can't escape them. In fact, they're so foundational they give rise to nine basic life-conditions, or worlds, through which we all continuously cycle. From lowest to highest, they are: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquility, Rapture, Learning, Realization, and Compassion. Yet because these worlds are created by delusions, the happiness they produce is fragile and temporary.
But there exists another type of happiness. A happiness that can't be destroyed by anything. A happiness that's absolute. Though few have ever experienced this kind of happiness—the transcendent happiness found in the tenth world, the world of Enlightenment—it's a happiness, Lickerman and ElDifrawi argue, that can be experienced by us all. Founded neither in mysticism nor the supernatural, the world of Enlightenment is discussed for the first time as a psychological state created by a belief in a core truth, a core truth that if we fully embrace will at last enable us to achieve the kind of happiness we all want. A happiness that endures no matter what.
360 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2018
About the author
Ash ElDifrawi
1 book2 followersAsh ElDifrawi, MA, Psy.D., began his career as a practicing clinical psychologist before becoming a marketing executive for some of the most prestigious and innovative companies in the world.
Over the years, Dr. ElDifrawi has built a reputation as a thought leader in clinical, social, and consumer psychology. He's been featured in The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fast Money, WSJ, NY Times, CNBC, Mashable, Crain's, Marketwatch, Re/Code, and Money 20/20 and has given several lectures at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.
Dr. ElDifrawi received his bachelor's degree in biology and master's degree in social science from the University of Chicago, where he also conducted research in neurology and bio-psychology. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Psychology, completed his internship at the world-renowned Family Institute at Northwestern University, and then went on to be the inaugural fellow at the equally renowned Center for Family Health at the University of Chicago. Dr. ElDifrawi is also trained as a forensic examiner, drug abuse counselor, and certified marriage and family therapist. He has also held several teaching positions in Social and Clinical Psychology. Dr. ElDifrawi also co-wrote a television pilot called Sessions that was optioned by DreamWorks Television.
Over the years, Dr. ElDifrawi has built a reputation as a thought leader in clinical, social, and consumer psychology. He's been featured in The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fast Money, WSJ, NY Times, CNBC, Mashable, Crain's, Marketwatch, Re/Code, and Money 20/20 and has given several lectures at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.
Dr. ElDifrawi received his bachelor's degree in biology and master's degree in social science from the University of Chicago, where he also conducted research in neurology and bio-psychology. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Psychology, completed his internship at the world-renowned Family Institute at Northwestern University, and then went on to be the inaugural fellow at the equally renowned Center for Family Health at the University of Chicago. Dr. ElDifrawi is also trained as a forensic examiner, drug abuse counselor, and certified marriage and family therapist. He has also held several teaching positions in Social and Clinical Psychology. Dr. ElDifrawi also co-wrote a television pilot called Sessions that was optioned by DreamWorks Television.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 11, 2018
A very useful book. Made me realize I suffer from one of the states that impede happiness...didn't even realize it.
August 29, 2018
The Ten Worlds: The New Psychology of Happiness, is a very interesting book focusing in the science and psychology of happiness and the absence of happiness (Anger, depression, lethargy, etc)
The authors suggest that we're not happy because of our core believes about what happiness means to us, which causes us to behave in certain ways.
Each chapter presents one of those core beliefs as being part of a certain "world", and thus the name of "The Ten Worlds".
These chapters are a combination of conversations had between one of the authors and his patients during therapy, and also conversations between both authors, debating the world in which they think the patient "IS", and everything related to how to help said patient.
From this 10 worlds, only one of them is considered to bring us true happiness, while 9 of them, are actually delusions that are the very cause for out unhappiness.
These 9 worlds are: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquility, Rapture, Learning, Realization, and Compassion.
The final world, the one that can attain absolute and true happiness is the world of Enlightenment.
Thru the book, the authors present their ideas on the form of debate and dialogue, but they also include mentions to studies made, results from scientific research and more, making this a very dynamic book.
It was a very nice read, that also made me stop to think about which was my own core delusion and which of the worlds I though I belonged to, and what I could do about it.
I think this is a must read for anyone with depression, or if you have a loved one with depression and you would like help understanding part of their suffering, and hopefully even how to help them.
My favorite chapter was the one on Enlightenment. The description of Enlightenment and moments when the authors experienced it, moved me and made me long for it.
Overall, I think this book is not only very interesting and informative, but could also be very helpful for someone like myself that have suffered major depression for many years. It might not provide a cure for my depression, but it certainly provided a different angle that made me realize things I haven't before.
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Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book before it's publication day for the purposes of reviewing it.
The authors suggest that we're not happy because of our core believes about what happiness means to us, which causes us to behave in certain ways.
Each chapter presents one of those core beliefs as being part of a certain "world", and thus the name of "The Ten Worlds".
These chapters are a combination of conversations had between one of the authors and his patients during therapy, and also conversations between both authors, debating the world in which they think the patient "IS", and everything related to how to help said patient.
From this 10 worlds, only one of them is considered to bring us true happiness, while 9 of them, are actually delusions that are the very cause for out unhappiness.
These 9 worlds are: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquility, Rapture, Learning, Realization, and Compassion.
The final world, the one that can attain absolute and true happiness is the world of Enlightenment.
Thru the book, the authors present their ideas on the form of debate and dialogue, but they also include mentions to studies made, results from scientific research and more, making this a very dynamic book.
It was a very nice read, that also made me stop to think about which was my own core delusion and which of the worlds I though I belonged to, and what I could do about it.
I think this is a must read for anyone with depression, or if you have a loved one with depression and you would like help understanding part of their suffering, and hopefully even how to help them.
My favorite chapter was the one on Enlightenment. The description of Enlightenment and moments when the authors experienced it, moved me and made me long for it.
Overall, I think this book is not only very interesting and informative, but could also be very helpful for someone like myself that have suffered major depression for many years. It might not provide a cure for my depression, but it certainly provided a different angle that made me realize things I haven't before.
-----------
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book before it's publication day for the purposes of reviewing it.
July 18, 2018
The Ten Worlds is a book which is as much about philosophy as it is about science.
The authors argue that everything in our life, including happiness, depends on our beliefs. They talk about what believing means and how the frequency with which a belief is stirred up causes us to react. This part of the book was fascinating for me.
The authors, then, talk about the ten worlds (from Buddhism) or life conditions that we are inhibiting at any particular moment. Each of these worlds (except the last one - Enlightenment) has a core delusion. Here, the authors delve into philosophy and intellectualization. Each world is described with dialogue between the two authors and one patient who mainly resides in that world. This made the book easily readable as well as interesting.
The authors end with a large section on Enlightenment and how to achieve it. Here again, we delve into some science and some philosophy.
Overall, the book was a nice read. It gave me a different perspective on how to view life. I don't think this book will help me become happier than I am but I am still glad that I read a different perspective on being happier.
Arc received from NetGalley
The authors argue that everything in our life, including happiness, depends on our beliefs. They talk about what believing means and how the frequency with which a belief is stirred up causes us to react. This part of the book was fascinating for me.
The authors, then, talk about the ten worlds (from Buddhism) or life conditions that we are inhibiting at any particular moment. Each of these worlds (except the last one - Enlightenment) has a core delusion. Here, the authors delve into philosophy and intellectualization. Each world is described with dialogue between the two authors and one patient who mainly resides in that world. This made the book easily readable as well as interesting.
The authors end with a large section on Enlightenment and how to achieve it. Here again, we delve into some science and some philosophy.
Overall, the book was a nice read. It gave me a different perspective on how to view life. I don't think this book will help me become happier than I am but I am still glad that I read a different perspective on being happier.
Arc received from NetGalley
December 24, 2019
I liked that this book made me think differently about how people tend to think of happiness as a binary setting with specific criteria.
In the case of the book, they provide both anecdotal evidence and explanation (through discourse between the 'author' and his colleague, Ash) about the stages (worlds) of lack that keeps up from recognizing our levels of happiness, and how each successive world builds upon the acquisition of the previous one. Unsurprisingly there is a sense of overlap among these 10 qualities, and it may feel a little repetitive in spots, but serves a purpose in trying to apply the ideas of each individual world to your experience.
Your mileage may vary, as the presentation method leans heavily upon an 'example patient' and the exchange between the doctors as they discuss the intricacies of the stage. While it isn't likely to change your life, I do think some of the ideas here help give perspective as to what is going right and what you can work on going forward.
In the case of the book, they provide both anecdotal evidence and explanation (through discourse between the 'author' and his colleague, Ash) about the stages (worlds) of lack that keeps up from recognizing our levels of happiness, and how each successive world builds upon the acquisition of the previous one. Unsurprisingly there is a sense of overlap among these 10 qualities, and it may feel a little repetitive in spots, but serves a purpose in trying to apply the ideas of each individual world to your experience.
Your mileage may vary, as the presentation method leans heavily upon an 'example patient' and the exchange between the doctors as they discuss the intricacies of the stage. While it isn't likely to change your life, I do think some of the ideas here help give perspective as to what is going right and what you can work on going forward.
November 5, 2019
Interesting real-life application of the Buddhist philosophy of ten worlds. Most of the book is presented as a dialogue, which can get irritating and feel unrealistic at times, but the points are made clearly and are thoroughly exemplified. The last chapter strayed from the Socratic form, to its great benefit, and it does indeed feel that some wisdom has been gifted, or at least made available, to the reader.
June 12, 2022
I incredibly wonder why this book has neither become a bestseller nor widely available. I've been a self-help and happiness books loyal reader for more than ten years, yet The Ten Worlds is the very best at changing my perspectives and therefore, my everyday mood too. The two authors obviously have worked hard to transform and enlighten people to live much better and positive life. I extremely and wholeheartedly recommend this book.
February 10, 2026
My favorite chapter was 14. I was recommended to read this book by a book club; so I found it on audible and binged it before the meeting. The case studies were interesting, some painful. Chapter 15 was ok.
December 31, 2020
This book felt like a cheap version of Socratic dialogues without intellectual rigor in either the dialogue itself or the clearly embellished anecdotes leading up to them. However, as I finished the book, I found that there was a lot of truth in focusing on which "world(s)" may be hindering our happiness. More than the psychology of happiness, I felt like this book highlighted the traits of unhappiness without really offering solutions on how to change them.
September 28, 2019
Best book I read in a long time!!! Really interesting and well written!!!
September 5, 2021
Interesting take on ten worlds and clinical psychology from the perspective of a psychiatrist/psychologist.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews