Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
The 3 stars reflect the writing style, that was not to my liking, but I still recommend this book for the little gems hidden within the Dalai Lama's words. Some of it was very simplistic, but some of it was very much thought provoking and touching. I found that reading through this book throughout the last two months, bit by bit, and reflecting on its teachings, has had a profound impact on my mental health and sense of understanding of myself and my depressive tendencies. For example, the past few days I have found myself contemplating on what the Dalai Lama said about the nature of humans to love thrmselves - wanting to eliviate suffering and being happy is a form of love that we extend towards our loved ones (as in we wish them to be happy and not suffer), but actually, that is also true for ourselves (I wish to be happy and not suffer). And that could be seen as a form of self-love. It seems simple, but that idea is radical in my eyes, and is slowly revolutionizing the way I see how I treat myself and the space I have repeatedly given in my life to myself, my feelings and my my relentless attempt to achiev happiness (albiet unsuccessful). I've folded over multiple pages (gasp!) in this book, and I can honestly say I will look back on them in times of need, for reassurance and guidance.
Okay, maybe this book deserves and extra half-star, what the hell.
Okay, maybe this book deserves and extra half-star, what the hell.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
See my blog post on it:
http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/12/booknote-art-of-happiness-at-work.html
http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/12/booknote-art-of-happiness-at-work.html
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Recommended at a work function, it look me months to finish, but I learned something every time I read. Great application and tools to live a more peaceful life.
Remarkably soothing and uplifting, and doesn't require a religious commitment of any particular sort. The Dalai Lama even says being religious isn't necessary for being a good, compassionate, spiritual person. How often will you hear a religious leader say that? I'm impressed by the man, in short, and will look up more of his own writings. The only thing detracting from this one is that we go through the filter of Dr. Cutler's narrative, which sometimes feels awkward, though at least it does draw some interesting parallels to (and contrasts with) Western psychology for us. Still, I credit this book with making me a gentler, more patient person while I was reading it, and hopefully the effect will continue.
"The art of happiness" is one of the first books that created a curiosity to look at something beyond mundane life. Though I have moved from Buddhism to Advaita Vedanta in recent years, I have decided to revisit this book once again. But this time, I have despised this book. Even though the author is shown as Dali lama, Most of the content in the book is filled with interpretation, uninteresting questions, and response summaries by a western psychiatrist Cutler. Cutler's obsession with fitting Dalai lama viewpoints into the western framework is appalling. He is forcefully trying to turn this into a typical self-development book spread like a parasite in all book stores. Culter's interpretation and shallow effort to link it to western science remind me of colonizers' Aryan invasion theory to project them as they are the harbingers of the civilized world.
The author must have been a computer programmer in a past life, He thinks copying and pasting code from stack overflow to build an algorithm will work with life too.
There is more western psychiatrist in this book than Dalai lama in it.
The author must have been a computer programmer in a past life, He thinks copying and pasting code from stack overflow to build an algorithm will work with life too.
There is more western psychiatrist in this book than Dalai lama in it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
"The Art of Happiness" is one of the most useful books I have ever read. I found that keeping the things discussed in mind for the few weeks I had been reading it I was a more calm and thoughtful person. I am definitely going to be seeking out more books about Buddhism and thoughtful meditation practices.