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monnica_elle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
thealyssa_ann's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I honestly didn’t know what this book was going to be or that Tina Turner was Buddhist. And once I realized this would be about her journey to find and practice Buddhism, I didn’t think I’d like it. But I learned a lot and appreciated how she connected her life to the teachings. It was really well done!
jillmlong's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book. Did I learn anything new about Tina Turner...yes! I came away from this realizing what an incredible life she had and how her faith has shaped her.
lucyatoz's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
During the past month, I have read two books authored by Tina Turner. I read My Love Story, The Autobiography after a visit to London to see a friend perform in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. This second book, Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good, was different from the first, and yet also complements it in so many ways too.
This book is Tina giving back to the world on how she believes we can all overcome life's challenges and find happiness, hope, and love within ourselves and for others. She draws her strength from the Buddhist chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo", which has changed her life for the good. She tells her story in her own way and has encouraged me to look at myself and my life and how I can change.
This book is Tina giving back to the world on how she believes we can all overcome life's challenges and find happiness, hope, and love within ourselves and for others. She draws her strength from the Buddhist chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo", which has changed her life for the good. She tells her story in her own way and has encouraged me to look at myself and my life and how I can change.
tommyhousworth's review against another edition
4.0
Tina Turner was many things. She was a survivor. She was a role model. She was an artist. She was resilient. All of these traits come through in her final work, a book that is part spirituality, part memoir, peppered with a serving of self-help. Though Tina is frequently clear that she encourages everyone to pursue the path that works for them, her blueprint was her deep commitment to Nichiren Buddhism.
She devotes a sizable portion of the book to what her practice has done for her, mapping out some of the basic teachings. As a Buddhist myself, though more of a Tibetan & Zen hybrid, it was helpful to learn more about Nichiren beliefs, a strain of Buddhist practice that came out of Japan, post-Zen.
The foundational belief that chanting a mantra steeped in the Lotus Sutra ("Nam Myoho Ringe Kyo") can bring about good karma is a somewhat untested notion for me. While I've sometimes used mantras and chants to lead into meditation practice, I didn't really imbue them with the power to create lasting change. The Soka Gakkai (Nichiren) school of Buddhism leans hard into this belief, though Tina indicates it's more about stirring unconditional confidence than any kind of magical incantation. It's food for thought, and something I will remain open to as I learn more.
Meanwhile, Tina makes a case for all faith traditions having validity if they lead to harmony, both internal and external. She tells a lot of stories about how she navigated her challenging years with Ike and forging her own solo career in the aftermath of that wreckage. She shares what made her happy in her subsequent years - again, mainly a firm spiritual foundation, but also an appreciation for daily living and a partner who proved himself to be the person Ike could never be. She speaks of forgiveness, of what true success means, and how she found peace. She never presumes to proselytize, but encourages everyone to pursue a path that works for them.
While not completely revelatory as self-help books go, it was akin to having a cup of tea with Tina Turner and talking about the things that matter most, listening to and learning from her wisdom and experience. That alone is worth four stars.
She devotes a sizable portion of the book to what her practice has done for her, mapping out some of the basic teachings. As a Buddhist myself, though more of a Tibetan & Zen hybrid, it was helpful to learn more about Nichiren beliefs, a strain of Buddhist practice that came out of Japan, post-Zen.
The foundational belief that chanting a mantra steeped in the Lotus Sutra ("Nam Myoho Ringe Kyo") can bring about good karma is a somewhat untested notion for me. While I've sometimes used mantras and chants to lead into meditation practice, I didn't really imbue them with the power to create lasting change. The Soka Gakkai (Nichiren) school of Buddhism leans hard into this belief, though Tina indicates it's more about stirring unconditional confidence than any kind of magical incantation. It's food for thought, and something I will remain open to as I learn more.
Meanwhile, Tina makes a case for all faith traditions having validity if they lead to harmony, both internal and external. She tells a lot of stories about how she navigated her challenging years with Ike and forging her own solo career in the aftermath of that wreckage. She shares what made her happy in her subsequent years - again, mainly a firm spiritual foundation, but also an appreciation for daily living and a partner who proved himself to be the person Ike could never be. She speaks of forgiveness, of what true success means, and how she found peace. She never presumes to proselytize, but encourages everyone to pursue a path that works for them.
While not completely revelatory as self-help books go, it was akin to having a cup of tea with Tina Turner and talking about the things that matter most, listening to and learning from her wisdom and experience. That alone is worth four stars.
hally_p's review
4.0
Always been a Tina fan and knowing what she’s overcome in life - more so her fighting spirit along the way made this book a must read for me when I came across it.
Tina represents strength and tenacity, the fact she has endured difficulties and still rocks it with a huge smile on her face makes her my kind of woman. A woman I aspire to be like one day.
The premise of the book is reflections of how Tina has connected with herself and got through some of her darkest moments, giving her advice to the reader along the way.
A lot of the book is about Tina’s journey to Buddhism which she believes saved her and transformed her life completely. The book is beautifully written and full of love. You can feel how sincere Tina is when writing her message to the reader.
My adoration for Tina has increased more now and although I am not a Buddhist I can appreciate why adopting this faith has been such a positive experience for her self revolution. Tina clearly knows her stuff - the analogies are well thought of and I can visualise what she is telling me - they are perfectly written to make you understand exactly what she is saying.
Tina represents strength and tenacity, the fact she has endured difficulties and still rocks it with a huge smile on her face makes her my kind of woman. A woman I aspire to be like one day.
The premise of the book is reflections of how Tina has connected with herself and got through some of her darkest moments, giving her advice to the reader along the way.
A lot of the book is about Tina’s journey to Buddhism which she believes saved her and transformed her life completely. The book is beautifully written and full of love. You can feel how sincere Tina is when writing her message to the reader.
My adoration for Tina has increased more now and although I am not a Buddhist I can appreciate why adopting this faith has been such a positive experience for her self revolution. Tina clearly knows her stuff - the analogies are well thought of and I can visualise what she is telling me - they are perfectly written to make you understand exactly what she is saying.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look at how Tina Turner found happiness in Buddhism and chanting. Positive book to inspire a more open and karmic way of living your best life. Worth the read/listen (although I was disappointed that Tina didn't narrate the book herself).