Customer Reviews

Contentment: A Way to True Happiness

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

 

 

This is a powerful book, full of concise wisdom. Rather than telling you how to interpret an idea--too many books tell you what to think--this thin volume, echoing Shakespeare's King Lear, allows you to integrate the wisdom deeply into your consciousness. What I have always marveled about Johnson's books is their ability to suggest ideas without talking down to you, evoke wisdom without hitting you over the head. Johnson lets you find your own answers to the big questions. This book points me closer to God. What more could you expect from a mere book? (Another bonus: it's inspired me to read Lear again, this time from a new perspective.)

I am reading it for a second time because I loved it so much. Very simple, but insightful book on everyone's search for contentment. It shows how the American culture does not support the journey required to find true contentment. I liked it so much I've bought a few copies to give to my friends!

This book contained a lot of stuff that I did not find useful. The King Lear examples were dreary. Here are the best nuggets of knowledge from the book:

Contentment - to be at home with what you already contain - your existing contents. Contentment isn't found on the outside or from getting what we want. It is our capacity to mediate our desires with "what is". Accept what is rather than insist that life be a certain way. Contentment comes from the inside rather than "just as soon as" I get x or event y happens. Honoring and embracing "what is" is the opposite of living a "just as soon as" mentality. Rearranging life on the outside will not produce lasting contentment no matter how much you do or get. Contentment can't be found out there - it is inside of you.

Let the daily upsets, disappointments, and changes pass by like clouds in the sky. In the scheme of theme they are no more important or permanent than the clouds. You can participate in the daily frustrations and absurdities of life while simultaneously observing them as a great movie show.

The past is gone and the future is yet to be. All that exists is now. Try to imagine how life might be if you were able to let go of a predetermined course of action and instead accept what life presents to you. When you bump up against a rock, try moving in a different direction. Letting go is not giving up. In letting go you consciously do what can be done. Become aware of how the urge to act interferes with true knowing. Try simply being aware rather than doing or demanding.

This is an amazing book. Insightfull. I leant it to someone, so now need to buy it again, because I want to leave them with the book! So I will purchase again. Short, and makes you think. Especially loved the bit at the end about how in the past people lived less for themselves, and more for "community". If their community was doing OK, but they were dying, it didn't really matter, as their part had built up the community. It's a bit better worded than that though...

I own all of Rbt Johnson's books, as I'm quite interested in Jungian psychology, but this has a "different voice", probably because it's co-written by someone else. Nevertheless, anyone interested in the concept of contentment will want to own it as it contains many thought-provoking ideas.

This was a refreshing read - Discusses deep wisdom - the things that are forgotten in our world of externals. We need to step back and understand what is really going on - in us and our desires and fears.
This short, incisive read about things internal, helps one find those places within that are felt, but not always known.

I have given copies to friends and family to share this illuminating
discussion of what is and how it can change your life.

Patrick O'Hara

An interesting reading, but very similar in many point with E. Tolle's ideas of 'living in present', 'enjoy the NOW'; even some examples were similar (like paying attention to the soap that swirls through your fingers).

I was expecting maybe a little bit more, a little bit clearer tradeoff definition between how to live in the present, but still have motivation to make plans, by thinking about the future.