Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: I may be a slight bit biased, because HH the 14th Dalai Lama is my personal hero, but this book was probably one of the best books I have ever read. I found Cutler's remarks a little difficult to get used to, but by the third chapter, I was really enjoying his insight. His questions and issues with many of the ideas brought forth by the Dalai Lama echoed my own, and I enjoyed seeing these ideas in a new and different light. All in all, this book has helped me examine my own life and make changes to make it more fulfilling and happy. This is a good book for anyone to read, regardless of religion or philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book -- apply the ideas everyday
Review: Once you begin to read this book it is hard to stop. This handbook takes us down a path travelled by a psychiatrist and the Dalai Lama sharing with us their thoughts for living. We see that the man of science and the man of religion learn from one another and both find that sometimes there are answers and sometimes not. This is an excellent book for those who have never read a book on Eastern religion and also for those who have been absent from reading those books for awhile. This book can change your life in a positive way. Read this book. Put it aside. Read it again. It is a delight in every way.
Rating: 
Summary: 70% Cutler, 30% Dalai Lama
Review: The Dalai Lama puts forth many practical and insightful ideas on avoiding those things that make us unhappy. Dr. Howard Cutler who co-wrote the book chose to relate his ideas and experiences to give examples highlighting the teachings of the Dalai Lama. This is not a bad approach. However, the method in which it is done is too invasive, disrupting the flow the book. As a result, the book is 70% Dr. Cutler and 30% Dalai Lama. I managed to wade through it only because the pearls of wisdom from the Dalai Lama are worth digging out. His techniques for overcoming impatience, anger and hate really work. I find myself using them in my daily commute and at work.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Lo-Cal Buddhism, but it works
Review: Buddhist scholars and purists might have trouble with the idea of a psychiatrist gleaning a few practical tools for better living from the grand traditions. But the Dalai Lama apparently wasn't bothered by it. As for me, it got me back to meditation after too long a lapse.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning, sensible evaluation.
Review: Utterly accessible, soothing, wonderful meeting of eastern and western sensibilities, brought to clear light by the spiritual beacon of the modern world. It's fascinating to hear this man, the Dalai Lama, break down so many of our modern obsessions so gracefully and elegantly, drawing on our common, primal journey towards happiness, compassion and love.
Rating: 
Summary: Dr Cutler's Prism Has No Colors <No Stars>
Review: The Dalai Lama didn't write this book. An American psychoanalyst wrote it. All of the good doctor's observations and analysis are presented as somehow 'echoing' the ideas of the thing being analyzed, the patient: Dalai Lama. The book is therefore, a hoax. The Dalai Lama, as Cutler concedes early on, has several good books which explain his religion (which is were the truth of this book begins, and ends). This book is clearly not one of them.
Rating:
Summary: Psychiatrist/Lama collaboration distracting.
Review: This book is a collaboration between the Dalai Lama and an Arizona state psychiatrist, Howard Cutler. I found the mixture of case studies and statistical refernces with Dalai Lama's thoughts to be distracting. I constantly was looking to bypass the pschiatrist's imput and find the Dalai Lama's thoughts. Probably I bought the wrong book and should have chosen a title that was written by the Dalai Lama only. The Dalai Lama's focus on compassion and tolerance and the trained mind for achieving happiness, I found to be quite palatable. He teaches respect of the common humanity versus the religious label someone wears. As a Christian interested in metaphysics, the Dalai Lama reveals buddhist teachings in ways that the western mind can find attractive and inspirational.
Rating:
Summary: A breeze for the soul
Review: With simplicity, it nurture the soul and focus human on the essential. A beautiful gift to offer to precious persons having a motivation to grow.
Rating:
Summary: The Dalai Lama is very wise.
Review: "The Art of Happiness" has given me a new perspective on life. Being nice to people as a way to achieve happiness for yourself is a new idea to me. The Dalai Lama expresses the importance of compassion and love towards others. Another of his main points is that we should accept people for what they are: people just like us, who only want to be happy. This book is a breath of fresh air in a world filled with greed and selfishness. Dr. Cutler is successful in putting the Dalai Lama's principles in a Western point of view, as he appears to be a typical American. I loved the book and will certainly read it again. It can help everyone achieve happiness.
Rating:
Summary: A Handbook for Living - Indeed!
Review: There is a common thread uniting all living beings, and that is their desire, their right, to happiness. This point is the focus of the Dalai Lama's comments throughout the book, which is written by an American Psychiatrist, Dr. Howard C. Cutler. In private interviews with Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Dr. Cutler is able to provide his own professional insight into what is a centuries old philosophy. Bringing to light how these ancient teachings are pertinent to modern day living. You don't have to believe in one religion over another, or in any at all. To benefit from the content of this book. This is not about Buddhism, per se, it is about living. There is a gentle rhythm to this book - it flows from a question posed to the Dalai Lama, to his thoughtful and inspired response - followed up by Dr. Cutler's professional comments. You'll realize everyday connections that drive home the fact that these are more than lofty ideals, they are real life tools to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, and other negatives aspects in your life. The only disappointment is there wasn't more of the Dalai Lama's comments. But it is an excellent resource for anyone - interested in Buddhism or not.
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