Rating: 
Summary: An Intrusive Co-author Distracts
Review: Appearing to criticize a work by the Dalai Lama is like being against motherhood and apple pie, so I embark on this enterprise with trepidation.The problem I had with this book, however, was not the Dalai Lama himself but his co-author, Dr. Cutler. The art of ignoring the co-author is an one that this book unintentionally cultivates. Dr. Cutler perhaps unconsciously pays a bumbling Watson to the Sherlock Holmes of His Holiness. Cutler, who is obviously used to being an authority, provides too much of himself into the dialogues with the Dalai Lama. the result is a jarring inconsistency in tone within some chapters. Doubtless including this much Cutler in the book was an editorial decision, but it doesn't work. Once the reader gets used to Cutler popping up periodically to offer his own explanations of the Western perspective, the profundity of the Dalai Lama himself can be seen more clearly. Naturally his material is very fine and provides an excellent introduction to Buddhist practices that can be applied to the benefit of non-Buddhists.
Rating: 
Summary: Changed my life forever
Review: While searching for spiritual meaning in my life, I stumbled onto the Art of Happiness by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Raised a Catholic who married a Jew and raising 2 boys in the liberal Universalist Unitarian Church, I was searching for truth and meaning. I not only understood what the Dalai Lama was saying in his book, I agreed and began eliminating negative states of mind such as anger from my life and began practicing compassion. Now, a year later, as a practicing Buddhist I meditate daily and have developed the tools to deal with the realities of life and death. The dialogues between Cutler and His holiness were absolutely genius. I have recommended this book to several friends and family, and several have had similar experiences as I. As a person with a very conservative job, ie CPA, my friends and family were quite surprised to see the changes in my life. I recommend this book to anyone who has not found all the answers to the question of how to find happiness.
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Summary: The best of East and West.
Review: Here is a surprisingly good book, written by a psychiatrist who interviewed the Dalai Lama many times. The book is a combination of narrative by the author and extended quotes of the Dalai Lama's answers. And Cutler asks some good questions. Sometimes the Dalai Lama's answers seem simple. Part of it is the language. English is obviously not his first language, so he uses almost nothing but ordinary, everyday English -- no jargon, no technical terms, no psychiatric lingo. And yet he obviously has a profound grasp of human nature. Another reason his answers sound simple is because they are rooted in practicality. He isn't trying to explain how things are, he's trying to describe what you can DO to become happier. Descriptions of actions are much simpler and more concrete than explanations. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I found the psychiatrist's orientation and the Dalai Lama's practicality combined to make some excellent self-help. I've tried many of the Dalai Lama's suggestions and they really work. One of his suggestions is to think about the similarities between you and other people -- specifically that they want to be happy, just like you do, and they also suffer, just like you do. I know it sounds almost too basic, but when I've actually thought about that while talking to someone, I feel noticeably closer to the person, and that feeling of closeness is relaxing, soothing, calming, and very pleasant. That feeling of closeness increases my happiness. The Art of Happiness is an excellent book and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: The world would be an even better place if everyone read this book. A definite must-have in every collection.
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Summary: Truly Inspirational!
Review: This is a book you buy two of. One for you and one to pass on to a friend. This insight was truly inspiring. Hits you right in the soul. Very well written book, very stong yet easy to understand. No matter what religion you practices this book will be enjoyed by all! Don't miss this one you would regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Open your eyes and see
Review: Excellent book. Well written. Inspiring. Enjoy! Great words of wisdom for anyone practicing any religion. Read it, and pass it on.
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Summary: If you're angry, read this
Review: I am the angry young man. Parenthood (twice) has knocked me down a little, but I still have a temper I try to control. Some of the concepts presented here aren't new, but the order and manner in which they are presented, as well as some personal reflections by Dr. Cutler, are very effective.
Since reading the book, I've been able to control myself in many situations, and I've even been able to better understand a co-worker with many "issues." The corporate world, in particular, is filled with blame and "it's-not-fairs." Dealing with your spouse in bad financial times is another scenario where this book's concepts apply. From someone who has been generally "angry" his whole life, I give this 5 stars.
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Summary: Psychiatry meets Buddhism
Review: I found the most outstanding feature of this book to be the perspective from which it is written. Most of the text is by Dr. Cutler, a Western psychiatrist who converses with the Dalai Lama and then reflects on the conversation. In the course of the book, the reader accompanies Dr. Cutler as he grows in his quest to elucidate the principles of happiness. Among the many eye-opening interactions between Cutler and the Dalai Lama is one in which Dr. Cutler assumes that feeling satisfied with an action determines its being positive. The Dalai Lama points out that "self-satisfaction alone cannot determine if a desire or action is positive or negative," but rather that the consequences of an action or desire determine its being positive or negative. The dialogue between Dr. Cutler and the Dalai Lama makes for an engaging East Meets West interplay. The persistent theme I found throughout the book is that humans are essentially good and that compassion for oneself and others is essential to realizing our potential. The Dalai Lama says "Compassion is required in order to activate the seed which is inherent in our hearts and minds." If you're looking for another excellent perspective on the practice of day-to-day enlightenment, I wholeheartedly recommend "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane - it has made a great difference in my life.
Rating:
Summary: An Eye Opener
Review: This is the first Buddhist book I have read. I have been interested in a while about Buddhism, and I am glad I picked this up. It taught me so much, and yet I have so much more to learn. It opened my eyes to many things. I think anyone interested in Buddhism should read this as a start to understanding life.
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Summary: What a great book!!
Review: This book has been cleverly put together. It is mostly written for a Western audience to benefit from His insight on how to attain happiness. The Dalai Lama comes across as a compassionate human being offering his wisdom to help us achieve that goal, very rarely do you actually think of a "religious figure" doing the talking. I have to say I immediately have begun to feel the impact of his words in my life. I am now more aware, that each person I encounter is a human being just like me, with similar struggles and joys. Kindness, caring, tolerance and compassion are words to live by.
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