The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

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Summary: Art of Happiness
Review: The Art of Happiness is definitely a must for all the people who never get enough of self-development. There's plenty of treasure inside this book that will enrich your lives for years to come. What makes this book a-must is that the interviewer of Dalai Lama, related his own experiences in the book from what he learned during the interviews with Dalai Lama.

In one word everyone should read this book without any prejudice.

Enjoy

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Summary: Important for its Emphasis on Compassion
Review: This book is a series of interviews between Howard Cutler (a leading Western Psychiatrist) and the Dalai Lama.

This book covers topics such as empathy, guilt, intention, and as the Dalai Lama would probably say, most importantly: compassion.

Well written, easily read, impressively candid on Cutler's part. Definitely a great read.

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Summary: Good stuff...
Review: First I want to get this out of the way:
The book is NOT written by the Dalai Lama. Though this book does have many quotes from the Dalai Lama it is actually written by a psychiatrist and is basically a compare/contrast of the Buddhist vs the Western approach to living a happy life.

Having said that. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone happy or not. This book opened my eyes to how my attitude was effecting my happiness and showed me a very simple path to making my already happy life happier.

Read it. It's worth the time and money.


Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: During a time of questioning, as I still am going through, this book gave me a very rational and logical explanation on the importance of compassion. Not pushing or forcing you to accept such beliefs, I think this only gave me more reason to adopt such a mindset.

The book is very organized in a manner that would allow you to easily use this book as a reference book. At the same time, it follows a very interesting and addicting line. It's great in that it allows you an understanding of Dalai Lama's thoughts on abstract issues through very concrete methods and style.

I actually read it long time ago so I can't comment on specific points. But it was great. Talks about balance, compassion, life and death, relationships, family, etc...

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Summary: A perfect introduction for western sceptics
Review: Executive summary: Brilliant introduction for rationalists approaching Buddhism, or just searching for meaning in life. Less valuable for those already familiar with Buddhism.

As someone who has always been a sceptic of self-help books and organized religion I approached this book with some apprehension. However its greatest weakness is also it's greatest strength, this is *not* a book by the Dalai Lama, it is written by an american psychiatrist about the Dalai Lama's beliefs. This means that if you come from the ultra-rational western view point this book will present the subject of Tibetan Buddhism in a way which will be much easier to understand then a book by the Dalai Lama himself would.

On the other hand, if you have already had some exposure to Buddhism, and especially if you are a convert, this book will most likely simply annoy you. The book is based on extensive interviews and reasearch, however this does not change the fact that this is a book by Mr Cutler, an american psychiatrist who often is sceptical of the Dalai Lamas views, but also often presents examples from modern psychiatric research that support what the Dalai Lama says.

Having said that, the Dalai Lama's word are pure gold, this book changed my life like no other. I think everyone no matter their faith should read it just to be aware of the great goodness that exists amongst us in the form of his holiness the Dalai Lama, and Tibetan Buddhism.

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Summary: very deep
Review: It is always a blessing to hear from HH Dalai Lama. How is it that some reviews are good and others are bad? Is the book good or bad?

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Summary: Mostly just empty talk
Review: This book is not written by the Dalai Lama, but more like a series of interviews, which really cast some doubt on how much of what is in the book is really from the high priest.

That aside, the book is full of empty talk. Sure, a few gems here and there will make you feel good, but after reading the individual chapters, you are likely to walk away with a sense of emptiness. You could use your imaginations to practice what's preached here, but ultimately, if you are looking for a concrete self-help guide, this is not it.

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Summary: Just in time...
Review: I was given this book by my sister at a time when my life was in the toilet. I didn't read it until 2 years later. I found many of the teachings of my counselor and the beliefs that I acquired in working through this tough time in this book. It was incredibly uplifting.

It also showed the Dalai Lama in such a humanistic light. I remember thinking: "He's just a guy like you or me!" And yet he is more than that. Wise, well versed in world affairs and, ultimately, surprisingly humble.

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Summary: Simple (simplistic) introduction to Buddhist themes
Review: This is a gentle introduction to some Buddhist ideas for people who know absolutely nothing about Buddhism, and are perhaps more familiar with Oprah Winfrey and _Who Ate My Cheese?_ More skeptical readers will find some of the insights presented as cloying. After this introduction, I'd recommend some more substantive books: Walpola Rahula's _What the Buddha Taught_, and Shunryu Suzuki's _Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind_, for instance.