Customer Reviews

The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are three things that really struck me about what the Dalai Lama has to say.

First, is just the very, very different perspective that the point of life is to live with happiness. I don't know that that was necessarily presented as the purpose of life to me when I was growing up, so it struck me as a remarkably different angle from which to see the choices we make in life. And it frankly shifts one's perspective about what really makes us happy or what happiness really means.

Second, is that when one looks at what really makes one happy, what really brings satisfaction to one's life, what the Dalai Lama suggests about shifting 'from me to we' really hits home. When we shift our attention off ourselves, whether individually or nationally, and put our attention on others and how we can be of service to them, we are living with a higher purpose - and this state is what he terms happiness. Its a different and deeper definition of the word, rooted in compassion.

Third, the Dalai Lama talks about perspective itself and suggests that people need to consider that there are many ways to see the same thing and that just because a person or a culture has an agreed upon perspective about something, in this case 'the purpose of life,' does not mean that is the right or only perspective. He urges readers to be open to seeing in a different way.

This book is incredible for these concepts alone! The Dalai Lama's point of view immediately brings to mind authors Ariel and Shya Kane's work, which is very much about how to live your life with wellbeing and satisfaction, taking your attention off of yourself, and being of service to others. I would highly recommend reading their amazing books, How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life and Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life in conjunction with The Art of Happiness In a Troubled World - they compliment each other wonderfully.

An incredible wonderful book, and the best so far by Dr. Cutler and the Dalai Lama. There are many Dalai Lama books, but the ones written with Dr. Cutler are by far the most enjoyable and readable. Dr. Cutler is both brilliant and gentle, asking the questions we would all like to ask and making the concepts of the Dalai Lama go straight to the reader's heart. This MUST be the next book you read: it will help you more than anything else you can imagine to understand our world and to live happily within it. It is time for Dr. Cutler to write his own book: he writes with such piercing yet entertaining clarity. Thank you!

In 1998, H.H. the Dalai Lama and Dr. Howard C. Cutler, an American psychiatrist, wrote a book, "The Art of Happiness" which became a surprise best-seller. The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living This book taught the importance of looking within and of controlling destructive emotions in finding happiness. Then, in 2003, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler again collaborated in a book "The Art of Happiness at Work" which explores the reasons why many people suffer from job dissatisfaction and offers suggestions about improving one's life in the workplace. The Art of Happiness at Work

The Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler have again collaborated on this third book, "The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World" (2009) which is substantially more ambitious in scope than its predecessors. The book is based upon a series of conversations between the two men held over the course of several years. Dr. Cutler wrote and formatted the book which was then read and approved by the Dalai Lama's interpreter. The book is roughly structured in the form of conversation and follow-up. Dr. Cutler and the Dalai Lama meet for, roughly, one hour per day during which Cutler questions the Dalai Lama on various matters pertaining to finding happiness. The Dalai Lama responds, frequently by reformulating Cutler's questions, and the two attempt to elaborate their ideas. Cutler usually takes the role of questioner. Following Cutler's descriptions of the meetings, he elaborates and expounds upon the Dalai Lama's ideas in his own voice. Sometimes Cutler offers a commentary upon what he has heard. But more often he uses his experience as a psychiatrist and his familiarity with recent psychological and neurological literature to put the Dalai Lama's ideas in a scientific context. The Dalai Lama's teachings, of course, are ultimately drawn from Buddhism, but this is not a religious book. Instead, the Dalai Lama presents what he calls "secular ethics" which he believes will be of value to people regardless of their religious commitments. Cutler writes from the perspective of Western science with the aim of showing the wisdom to be found in the Dalai Lama's teachings.

The book examines a common dichotomy in thinking about happiness. Some people believe happiness is an individual matter and must be pursued by each person for him or herself independently of social issues. Other people think, roughly, that happiness is social and that it is necessary to look at political and related conditions, such as poverty, war, and prejudice, and alleviate them if people are to be happy. In a variety of ways, the Dalai Lama and Cutler attempt to break down this dichotomy. They try to show that happiness is not an either-or situation but that the individual and the social depend upon each other. Thus, in the first part of the book, titled "I, Us, and Them" they reject both the dichotomy between "I or we" and the further dichotomy between "Us or Them." in favor of an understanding "Me and We" and "Us and Them." Their view is predicated on an understanding of the common humanity everyone shares in which the differences among people, while important and to be treasured and respected, pale in comparison to the qualities shared by all human beings.

In the second part of the book, "Violence versus Dialogue", the Dalai Lama expounds his teaching by focusing on the essential goodness and universality of human nature. He tries to explain the roots of violence in human destructive emotions and in the failure to understand reality. Realizing the difficulty and apparent intractability of some situations, the Dalai Lama and Cutler discuss the importance of seeing questions from many sides and from trying to understand the views of other persons. The authors believe these teachings have relevance to matters such as marriages, friendships, and the workplace, as well as to dealings between nations. Here again, there is a recognition on the Dalai Lama's part of the realistic, situational nature of this approach. It is not offered as a metaphysical or religious teaching.

The final part of the book "Happiness in a Troubled World" draws on the teaching of Buddhism that suffering is endemic to life. Perfection is not to be expected. The Dalai Lama and Cutler describe the importance of positive emotions, including hope, optimism and resilience in finding the way to happiness. Great emphasis is thinking about three things, 1. the social character of human life; 2. the interconnection and interdependence of people in the modern world; and 3. the common nature and character of all persons, in finding a way to individual and societal peace. The ultimate source of the teaching is empathy and compassion for both oneself and for others. In a brief summary in the Introduction to the book, Cutler describes its "key argument" that "positive emotions in general - and the supreme `positive emotions' of compassion and empathy in particular - lie at the intersecting point between inner and outer happiness, with the capacity to simultaneously bring about personal happiness and provide a potential solution to many of the problems plaguing society today (at least as the first step in overcoming these societal problems)"
(Introduction at xvi).

Of the three Dalai Lama - Cutler collaborations, this one is the most challenging. The book is difficult to read. It is written for the lay reader, certainly, but both the Dalai Lama and Cutler conduct their discussions at a learned, serious level. Regardless of one's religious commitments, there is much to be learned about redirecting one's thinking from reading this book. I found it auspicious to read this work at the beginning of a new year.

Robin Friedman

The Dalai Lama's book is an important work which made me question how we are
going about finding happiness, individually and collectively.
His notion about how one's vision of human nature can mean the difference
between living in a hostile, violent or a gentle, helpful world is fresh and
courageous - opening doors to new possibilities. I found his idea of
connecting with our basic nature of goodness to begin experiencing this
well-being and connectedness, key.

What I also find fascinating is that along with this spiritual leader's
message there are other authors complementing that vision and making it
available to experience in everyday life. Ariel and Shya Kane thru their
book Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life, are 2 such authors.

Enjoy these two books that made an important impact in my life and my levels
of well-being and of those around me.

I was lucky enough to find this book at Barnes & Noble on the day of it's release. Just 4 days later, I have finished reading it and can only say I was wowed many times! This book takes a journey through the world issues we are currently facing and provides hope to those of us who strive to make a change. Very easy read and I highly recommend it! You will be wowed as well, I am sure of it!

In this book psychiatrist Howard Cutler sits down again with the Dalai Lama to discuss the goal of happiness for this third book in the "Art of Happiness" series. Dr. Cutler does an outstanding job again of capturing the Dalai Lama's thoughts and beliefs in words to share with us. The Dalai Lama explains that true happiness is not found in the external world of impermanent circumstances, it originates from within through the cultivation of positive thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. Happiness arises through our connections with others. Compassion and empathy benefit ourselves as much as it does the people we have these feelings for. We should connect with people through the realizations that they have likes and dislikes just like us and they suffer like we do. We should see all people as equals and belonging to the human family. These powerful strategies can overcome prejudice and have the potential to transform society. Dr. Cutler explains that since the original "Art of Happiness" was published ten years ago, science has proven much of what the Dalai Lama explained would lead to happiness in the first book.
His Holiness explains that people are not evil, people are motivated to do terrible things because of hatred, negative emotions, and conditioning. Buddhism has no concept of a metaphysical force of evil because of the strong belief in impermanence, people can change through new thoughts and motivations. How we perceive the world around us can affect or happiness more than the conditions and situations we find ourselves in. "..When you are under the influence of negative emotions like anger, hatred, fear, extreme attachment, and greed, this tends to open you up to mental projections and distortions of thinking which obscure you from truly understanding the reality of the situation." Being unable to see things from a wider context or seeing things from a long term perspective leads to unhappiness. You can always count your blessings in almost any situation. Even if you are very sick, and you have a family that loves you and have medical care you are better off than millions of other people around the world. In the West especially we blow or tiny problems into way to big a deal while billions of others in the world just beg for clean drinking water and medicine to fight disease and suffering. To be happy we must train our minds in positive thoughts, you can not be both negative and positive at the same time. We can look at the circumstances in our troubled world from a realistic perspective and feel compassion and empathy for the suffering while really seeing our own fortune and blessings. This includes the most important part that is left out in western culture, we must first truly feel compassion and empathy for ourselves and not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of or mistreated. This book really got through to me and changed the way I think about relating to others. I highly recommend this book if you are searching for deep and real happiness.

Maybe I'm not cultured enough to enjoy this book. I got the audio book from the library and I only made it to the second disc before I gave up. Have you ever read a book and it sounded like the same thing was being said over and over again, but it was just being phrased differently? That's how this book came across to me.

The gist of the book seems to be: reach out to your neighbors and other fellow humans. Form relationships with them and bond...then true happiness will find it's way into your heart.

To be honest, I will say that my neighbors aren't particularly interested in being friends and I don't live in a typical neighborhood so this book wasn't meant for me. (You would only understand it if you lived here.)

After listening to this book and reading other books on happiness, the general thought among professionals seems to be: stop focusing on yourself so much and focus on others. Doing nice things for others is what brings most people happiness. Practice that rule and you will find yourself to be a much happier human being.

"Your Holiness," began Howard Cutler, "I'd like to talk to you this morning about this idea that we are all the same. You know, in today's world there is such a pervasive feeling of isolation and alienation among people, a feeling of separateness, even suspicion."
Suddenly the Dalai Lama started to laugh. As if he had a sudden epiphany, he exclaimed, "Yes! Now if we could get beings from Mars to come down to the earth, and pose some kind of threat, then I think you would see all the people on earth unite very quickly!"
Thus the pair began a series of conversations that continued intermittently for several years which form the basis of this book, a sequel to the best-seller The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living.
We can find happiness and meaning in our lives, even in the face of terrible suffering.
Highly recommended for those inclined to seek.

The author states (paraphrasing) that in 2004 there were 23,980,000,000 acts of altruism performed by Americans (according to the National Opinion Center), and during the same period of time the FBI recorded 1,367,009 violent crimes. Is there a Bureau of Altruism that I'm not aware of collecting information on each altruistic act performed by each American? It's rediculous statements like this one that make this book difficult to read. All the "feel good" stuff and all the positive versus negative comparisons are easy reading, but if you're writing something that sounds like fact, it should at least make sense. Also, when the Dalai Lama states that all people are inherently good, he is doing so from his mountain-high view of the world and not from an inner city ghetto or a war-torn part of Bosnia. I would love to think that evil only exists in the act and not in the people performing the act, but that's just not a reality from where I sit. I know in my heart that there are evil people and that evil begets evil; it's the human condition.

I am always moved by the Dalai Lama and the wisdom he shares. The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World is exceptional. The Dalai Lama speaks about the importance of community. It is inspiring to look outside myself & see what needs to be taken care of. I'm discovering that when I pay attention to the welfare and well-being of others, I experience well-being and great satisfaction.

I am amazed just how simple it is to access a state of well-being. I'm discovering this by also reading How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life & Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life by Ariel & Shya Kane. When I don't work on myself, I can explore the possibilities of having a great life & sharing it with others. This is what the Dalai Lama & the Kanes speak about in their books. Treat yourself (and others) with these great books!