Customer Reviews

Zen And the Art of Happiness

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've read many, many books on Zen and the way of happiness...but this one is the best I've ever read. And the beauty of it is that it makes it very simple, straight to the point, and tells you the way to achieve real happiness in life. I've recommended it to many people and still re-read it every few months. The simplicity of it is very powerful and it has the potential to really change one's own life.

Wow, what a mess, where do I begin? I was willing to give this book a shot, even after reading the crazy assumptions at the beginning, but eventually I couldn't deal with it anymore and had to write this review to warn others.

The book starts off with the not-so-preposterous claim that happiness is based on simply "being happy." Ok, you said it, now prove it. Nowhere in the book is this ever proved or even justified. The author centers his entire text on the assumption that by believing that "Every event that befalls me is absolutely the best possible event that could occur," it will be so. What? Why? The eventual "metaphysical" explanation for why this is because "all the laws of the Universe are in favor of the continuation of the Universe," and that since we are "one with the universe" (according to the author, enlightenment proves this), everything that ever happens to us favors our continuation within the universe. What a load of BS. Which laws are in favor of the continuation of the universe? I don't think the author has ever heard of, oh say, the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states that the quality of matter and energy in the universe is decaying over time, and that the logical conclusion is that universe is not eternal ([...]). It's only one of the most important laws we learn in high school chemistry. This is the author's flawed "Personal Philosophy;" that the sole reason that the universe continues to exist is because it designed to do so... and he expects us to adopt a similar belief system to feel better about the things that happen to us on a daily basis.

Then the book completely fell apart for me - the author explains how he got hit on the head with a rock, and tells how it "opened the channels" in his brain and helped him understand and translate the I Ching. He also mentions how his son was addicted to drugs, and devotes 3 pages to the tragedy but absolutely no explanation of how his son persevered through it all and changed his ways. Apparently he just magically did. He continues to blather on about how all religions are basically the same, that there is only one universal truth and includes various other tidbits of typical new-age drivel disguised as revolutionary and unique revelation. You've probably heard it all before if you have read any New-Age book.

A very important consideration before you buy: other than having a smattering of quotes from various Zen/Buddhist/Eastern monks, teachers and authors, "Zen and the Art of Happiness" has nothing to do with Zen. It barely even talks about meditation - the principle practice in Zen Buddhism. It devotes a whopping 3 pages to it. This book is not even about the psychology of positive thinking, because aside for a few vague references and endnotes, it provides no experimental evidence for any of its claims. This book is about the author's personal belief system, which is based on superficial understanding of Zen Buddhism, science and a very personal interpretation of Eastern religion - and a sense that somehow Eastern mysticism is better or more "true" than other thought systems because it is "ancient." These are all big fat warning signs that indicate you should stay away.

Although there are some thoughts here that I somewhat agree with, namely that positive thinking, simplicity and contentment with what we have generally make us "happier," I couldn't even give this book 2 stars because the author bases all of his argument on pseudoscience and his own blind assumptions of how the universe works. He erroneously asserts that we should consider all of our bad experiences as good experiences - merely re-labeling our thoughts and beliefs. Zen is about being mindful, understanding and escaping labels, both good and bad - not blindly changing one to the other based on the desire to be happy. It honestly sounds like the author is convinced of his own beliefs; however, that doesn't make this book or any of its baseless theories any more credible.

All in all, if you are looking for a good book on deluding yourself, look no further. If you know nearly anything about science, philosophy or Eastern thought, this little book will irritate you to no end. Instead, if you want a good book on actually understanding depression, happiness and Buddhism, I suggest you check out many fine books such as "Buddhism without Beliefs" by Stephen Bachelor or any of the writings by John Kabat-Zinn.

I bought this book on impulse the night before a long trip. I read it through, then went back and re-read many sections. It dramatically changed my perspective on life and helped me become a more peaceful person.

This is a simple but powerful book that will change the way you look at life. Zen and the Art of Happiness takes happiness and consciousness to a whole new level.

I am aware that this book has been compared to The Secret. There is a similarity in that they both teach the reader how to change his or her approach to life for the better but the similarity ends there. This is not a book about how to get more "stuff". I have read Zen and the Art of Happiness more than once and think that what it teaches is quite different and far more powerful than The Secret. The Secret, as a book, was essentially the transcript of the DVD. I preferred the DVD where a number of spokesmen described their powerful successes using the Law of Attraction. This will bring positive results for readers but the Zen book and its shrewd insights will take the reader to a brand new level of awareness that will bring them happiness. It is profound.

As D.T. Suzuki, the Japanese scholar and leading spokesman of Zen in mid-twentieth century America, said of Zen, "It merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points". Zen and the Art of Happiness gives you simple but profound keys that will help you change your life. If you read it with an open heart it will truly help you find happiness.

I have a large library of spiritual books, which I have scoured the world for and which I treasure. But recently, when I was trying to deal with a particularly difficult problem in my life (one I couldn't seem to "chant away", meditate beyond, or free myself from) I found this small book and it's teachings were phrased just the right way to finally give me some peace.

"Zen And The Art Of Happiness" by Chris Prentiss (cofounder and co-director of Passages Substance Abuse Treatment Center) is a pocket-sized and highly portable 160-page book presenting practical, spiritual, applicable wisdom from the Eastern philosophy of Zen Buddhism designed to provide the reader with a positive, uplifting message that we can affect and influence the very makeup of our body at a cellular level through what we believe, think, and feel. That when we create happiness and vibrancy within our lives we are better able to adapt to life's inevitable stresses and changes. By learning to deal with stress and change in healthy ways, we create, nuture, and perpetuate 'mindful happiness' in our daily lives. "Zen And The Art Of Happiness" is enthusiastically recommended and 'user friendly' reading for anyone seeking to enhance their spirituality, learn to deal with life's stresses, and improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

I read the book, Zen And the Art of Happiness and it truly moved me. It is an illuminating book; reading it was an uplifting experience for me.
Prentiss has written about a difficult subject - understanding the meaning of life, including its inherent suffering - from an enlightened perspective. I have finished the book, but I still carry it with me and I plan to continue to do so as a reminder of the momentous power and significance it contains.

I was looking forward to learning a bit about Zen, but this book fell short. There is not much substance here. Abraham Lincoln said: "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be". The author tries to make a similar point in the first part of the book. There is merit to his thinking, but the problem is that the discussion is not interesting or insightful. The writing quality is also not very good.

In another section the author discusses neurotransmitters, steroids and peptides. This should have been beyond the scope of this short book and is also beyond the author's expertise. Finally he also tries to promote his drug rehabilitation business and tout his successes which I do not believe is appropriate for authors to do in their books. Commercials should serve that purpose - not books that are sold. Skip this one and think about Lincoln's quote instead. It takes less time to read, it is to the point and free.

I read this zen book and it changed my life! A truly intense (and yet simple to read) book about how we can all find happiness. I am buying 100 copies and giving it to all my friends. If you liked "The Secret," this book will go even further into your quest for truth in the universe. Chris, you have drastically changed my perception of life, god and the universe we live in. You are amazing! Thanks for being such a positive force in a sea full of (seeming) chaos. -- Anne Marie

Chris Prentiss has written a simple but profound gem. For more than 30 years, I have been a psychologist and a Zen student with an interest in the art and science of happiness. 'Zen And the Art of Happiness' is to the point with its wisdom and parsimony. You'll read this book again and again.