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    The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
    The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
    The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
    Audiobook (abridged)3 hours

    The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

    Written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutler

    Narrated by Howard C Cutler

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Nearly every time you see him, he's laughing, or at least he's smiling. And he makes everyone else around him feel like smiling. He's the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, the Nobel Prize winner, and increasingly popular speaker and statesman. Why is he so popular? Even after spending just a few minutes in his presence you can't help feeling just a little bit happier.
    The Dalai Lama is probably one of the only people in the world who if you ask him if he's happy, even though he's suffered the loss of his country, will give you an unconditional "yes." What's more, he'll tell you that happiness is the purpose of life, and that "the very motion of our life is towards happiness." How to get them has always been the question. He's tried to answer it before, but he's never had the help of a psychiatrist to get the message across in a context we can easily understand.
    Through meditations, stories and the meeting of Buddhism and psychology, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, or just an ordinary bad mood. He discusses relationships, health, family, work, and spirituality to show us how to ride through life's obstacles on a deep and abiding source of inner peace. Based on 2500 years of Buddhist meditations mixed with a healthy dose of common sense, The Art of Happiness is an audiobook that crosses the boundaries of all traditions to help listeners with the difficulties common to all human beings.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateNov 1, 1998
    ISBN9780743541695
    The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
    Author

    His Holiness the Dalai Lama

    Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He frequently describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. Born in northeastern Tibet in 1935, he was as a toddler recognized as the incarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and brought to Tibet's capital, Lhasa. In 1950, Mao Zedong's Communist forces made their first incursions into eastern Tibet, shortly after which the young Dalai Lama assumed the political leadership of his country. He passed his scholastic examinations with honors at the Great Prayer Festival in Lhasa in 1959, the same year Chinese forces occupied the city, forcing His Holiness to escape to India. There he set up the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, working to secure the welfare of the more than 100,000 Tibetan exiles and prevent the destruction of Tibetan culture. In his capacity as a spiritual and political leader, he has traveled to more than sixty-two countries on six continents and met with presidents, popes, and leading scientists to foster dialogue and create a better world. In recognition of his tireless work for the nonviolent liberation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. In 2012, he relinquished political authority in his exile government and turned it over to democratically elected representatives. His Holiness frequently states that his life is guided by three major commitments: the promotion of basic human values or secular ethics in the interest of human happiness, the fostering of interreligious harmony, and securing the welfare of the Tibetan people, focusing on the survival of their identity, culture, and religion. As a superior scholar trained in the classical texts of the Nalanda tradition of Indian Buddhism, he is able to distill the central tenets of Buddhist philosophy in clear and inspiring language, his gift for pedagogy imbued with his infectious joy. Connecting scientists with Buddhist scholars, he helps unite contemplative and modern modes of investigation, bringing ancient tools and insights to bear on the acute problems facing the contemporary world. His efforts to foster dialogue among leaders of the world's faiths envision a future where people of different beliefs can share the planet in harmony. Wisdom Publications is proud to be the premier publisher of the Dalai Lama's more serious and in-depth works.

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    Reviews for The Art of Happiness

    4/5

    1,170 ratings42 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      i intend to come back to this book whenever hardship strikes. i can already feel its healing and transformational power.
    • 3/5
      Well produced. Better for a younger audience who hasn't experienced struggle already... or just a general audience that would like a simplistic approach to find happiness.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful
      An audiobook I will return to again and again
      What a beautiful human being ❤️??
    • 5/5
      Fantastic book. A must read this summer for any person of an background.
    • 5/5
      Enseñanzas muy sencillas pero con un gran fondo. Narración muy agradable
    • 5/5
      I am currently a follower of Christ and found that this book (despite spiritual differences) had many good points as to how to be at inner peace, with yourself and with those around you. I would definitely recommend this book!
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book! The Dali Lama is really good at speaking in a way the average person can understand. I CA ame away from this book calm and relaxed, but with a head full of new thoughts.
    • 5/5
      I have never read or heard anything by the Dakar Lama that did not make me a wiser, better human being. This book is no exception. I can not recommend it enough. Thank you to all who worked to make this possible.
    • 1/5
      Remember when he literally tongue ? kissed a child on video and how the media barely addressed it?

      You are no religious profit sir.
    • 5/5
      I love iT .. must read Yeah.. The storying telling were relatable
    • 5/5
      This book was nice and peaceful. It was fulfilling in its nature! Thank You! It made me tear up at times, so I would say it spoke to me
    • 5/5
      Readers are clear and convey the meaning with the right tone.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this! The narration was also super soothing
    • 5/5
      love this small book. I have listened twice and keep being impress by the wisdom.
      I would recommend it to anyone going thru a hard situation in life.
    • 5/5
      As a Buddhist I believe in many of the kind steps in principles of this book. I do believe for those who have not been awakened to true happiness this can be a complete guide to getting you started on your foundation
    • 5/5
      Clarity for the soul. A wonderful life guide to understand the complexity of the human mind. ?
    • 5/5
      Religions is the foundation of psychology, and disorders, and philosophy
    • 5/5
      This book is simply awesome! Well written, simple to read and digest!
    • 5/5
      Very insightful book on the route to happiness. All starts from within.
    • 5/5
      The Dalai Lama shares mindful ideas for living happier.
      If only everyone on our planet would embrace his ideas.
    • 3/5
      Good so far..but would prefer more insights from the Dalai Lama instead of this Cutler dingus.(That's said in the most respectful way possible..) If a book features someone's likeness, you'd expect to have more information from that person instead of someone else give their insights with sprinklings of the aforementioned person. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong, as I'm not too far into the book yet.

      That said, pretty interesting read.
    • 3/5
      One of the important things to realize about this book is that it is not written by the Dalai Lama himself, but by Dr. Howard C. Cutler, a professional psychologist, and is based on his numerous conversations with the Dalai Lama. Dr. Cutler provides the "western", science-based perspective on the Buddhist monk's teachings. When the Dalai Lama is quoted in the book it makes for fascinating reading. His insights are full of common sense, good will, and practicality. Dr. Cutler I feel is a good stand – in for western way of thinking, but I find his naiveté gets a little irritating after a while. Also his constant need to ask, what boil down to, very basic questions and incessantly repeating, “How would a non - Buddhist do this or that?” is often tedious. These are questions the average person might ask and while that is all well and good I feel it is the author's responsibility to dig deeper and ask the questions we as readers might not think of. This is an interesting book and it would serve as an introduction to the teachings of the Dalai Lama.
    • 1/5
      DNF @ 15%

      I mistakenly thought this was a book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is listed as one of the authors - or the only authors in some book databases - but it is not. This book was written by Howard C. Cutler, a psychiatrist, who spent one week with the Dalai Lama, and then used his interviews with the Dalai Lama as a basis for this book.
      Now, once I found out that I was mislead by the book, I still wanted to read on and see what the author had to say. Unfortunately, I was quickly put off by two - in my opinion major - logical flaws in the construction of the book's premise:

      1. The author provides the following motivation behind writing the book:

      "When I initially conceived of this book, I envisioned a conventional self-help format in which the Dalai Lama would present clear and simple solutions to all life’s problems. I felt that, using my background in psychiatry, I could codify his views in a set of easy instructions on how to conduct one’s daily life. By the end of our series of meetings I had given up on that idea. I found that his approach encompassed a much broader and more complex paradigm, incorporating all the nuance, richness, and complexity that life has to offer."

      You see, my problem is that the Dalai Lama's books, speeches and other communications are pretty easy to understand. He has a particular skill to explain complex issues in simple terms, but then simplicity is one of the essential elements in his way of life.

      The other issue I had with the author's statement is that I find the approach of trying to create a dogma from a Buddhist point of view a rather ridiculous idea. If there ever was a spritual teaching whose essence is that it is wholly un-dogmatic and un-codified, it would be Buddhism, but then maybe I am just getting the wrong end of the stick.

      2. The author's approach in this book is to try and combine Western science with the Dalai Lama's interpretations/teachings. Again, this is a flawed approach when early on in the book, the author includes the following quotation:

      "In trying to determine the source of one’s problems, it seems that the Western approach differs in some respects from the Buddhist approach. Underlying all Western modes of analysis is a very strong rationalistic tendency – an assumption that everything can be accounted for. And on top of that, there are constraints created by certain premises that are taken for granted."

      Basically, the Dalai Lama tried to explain that a Western approach which is mostly based on science is restricted in its understanding of the human condition. So, why the author tries to combine, or back up, the topics discussed from a Buddhist perspective in this book with references to Western scientific research (for which he often does not cite sources!!!) is totally beyond me.

      Can't recommend this at all.
    • 4/5
      This was a pretty interesting read and a good, light introduction to the philosophy of the Dalai Lama that doesn't lean too heavily on the more religious or mystical elements of Buddhism. At times it felt like the interviewer got in the way a bit, and to be honest, his own examples didn't really add that much to my understanding of what I felt were concepts that were clearly explained in the Dalai Lama's own words. A lot of the philosophical ideas discussed were really interesting, and, moreover, practical too - I definitely found the chapters on anger and anxiety helpful in framing my attitude towards these emotions. Worth a look - and I'll be reading more in this area.
    • 4/5
      Buddhism is a beautiful practice that I love learning about, despite not agreeing with all of its teachings. This book fits with that attitude because it focuses on aspects of Buddhism that anyone can adopt into their lives, regardless of their religion or beliefs.

      It also juxtaposes Eastern and Western beliefs and mindsets in a way that is respectful to both through logical exploration and a desire to understand the fundamental characteristics of human nature and spirit.
    • 3/5
      Well here's the thing.....most of the book is written by Howard C. Cutler M.D., with quotes & excerpts of conversations with his wonderful Holiness Dalai Lama.

      So then, Howard's conjectures on the human mind, consciousness & happiness are from a clinical point of view and the "heart" of the matter does not come through as much as other books from his Wonderful Holiness.
    • 4/5
      The Art of Happiness combines the calm words of the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet with the trained observations of an American psychiatrist. Howard Cutler relays conversations, stories, and meditations in such a way that he brings an understanding analysis of Tibetan Buddhism, and its leader, to the reader without clinically removing its peaceful soul. The enduring image of the Dalai Lama is that of his beautiful smile. This Nobel Peace Prize winner's smile lights up his entire face—and it quickly spreads to the faces of those nearby. The book's subtitle, A Handbook for Living, is apt for a book that tells of the purpose of life--happiness. The Dalai Lama has the ability to connect easily with most everyone with whom he comes in contact. He focuses not on the differences that separate us, but to see what it is that we all share. One story that has stayed with me is one of a hotel maid who runs into the Dalai Lama on his way to an “important” meeting, but he stops and takes the time to speak to her. Each day that follows, as the spiritual leader is being lead to other meetings, the maid waits in the same location, and brings more and more of her fellow maids. And, each day, the Dalai Lama takes the time to bow and speak with each of the maids, including many who can' t speak the same language. He's made a spiritual connection with these people as important as any he will make that day. The Dali Lama's smile and laugh are the very definition of contagious. (4/99)
    • 4/5
      And the Dalai Lama is alright too, or however I should say it. Although I'm not sure that I'd spend this much of my time talking to him. *shrugs*{I mean, it's kinda cool that 2,500 years of Buddhist teachings and two-and-a-half years, or, whatever, of talks between the pope of zen and mister occident-- I mean, it could certainly be worse, as far as all *that* is concerned-- could be re-arranged and re-formated into the whole~ Part 1, Chapter 1, Page 7, sort of thing that the non-fiction folk is so well-adapted to, if you know what I mean.... I don't know. There's nothing so awful or terrible about it. It's just that, you know, well, if they talked in Arizona and India, I'm just kinda curious as to whether or not the place out east was a small town in the north-western corner of India which exists under the near-constant cover of clouds, or not. Or something like that. ("Even the word "happy" is derived from the Icelandic word *happ*, meaning luck or chance." Those plebbish Vikings! What happiness could they have found, worshipping Wodan and Freya? If only they had spent a few years in a university or a monk's cell, *then* they would have found the way to happiness.^^ I mean, "luck" is just another way of saying "magic", so maybe those Icelanders might understand 'the magic of Macy's' better than these monks, no?){~ And do you know what other word comes to us from the Old Norse? *Cake*! Yes, as in nom-nom-nom, *cake*. Yes, indeed, my friends.]'In the Kailasa Peninsula of northwest Uttar Pradesh, a small town named *coughforkscough* exists under the near-constant cover of clouds'. *chuckles mightily* (It's the same type-- different land. I'm not sure how else to explain it.) I mean, they did a decent job at what they were trying to do; I guess that it just depends on what your opinion is of *that*. ;0So that's my whole angle on it, basically.}[And, to be honest, it's just that-- the whole thing is soaked in a sort of sartorial correctness, but really, it's always flirting with trite-o-crity. (I mean, it gets to the point where, how do you take some of this stuff seriously? It's like a joke."Generally speaking, of course, we do not wish good things for our enemies."*nods seriously* I've noticed that as well.)[~ "If we must fight, then let it be with our enemies, rather than with our own children."]It's the sort of thing to make an epicurean tea garden look like an orgy....And Tony Tanner becomes an epicurean by comparison!....Hell, *Epictetus* becomes an epicurean by comparison! "Remember that thou art an actor in a play, perhaps."][I mean, the real questions, questions like-- "Gone is the summer, what will keep us, warm in the winter?" To which: "The human condition: lost in thought." For you, Eckhart. For you.] [And it is amazing to me, what *hickish little ditzes* these sartorial snobs can be sometimes! (Oh, Tony, you and I are WEWE-- worst enemies without end.... Just like George Wickham, and George Long!) "Modern science" has proven that if you give someone something for free before asking them for money, then they're more likely to give you the money. (".... I had a ton of singles left over from my sister's birthday party....") Well, then, but it's not free, is it? Ah, but such is this magic of Macy's....][~ Oh, and if my manner has been at all reprehensible, then I sincerely apologize, you guys.] (7/10)
    • 5/5
      A Handbook for LivingThis book came about as a result of a series of conversations about happiness between American psychiatrist Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama believes that happiness is due to your state of mind rather than the things that happen to you. So it is therefore within your power to train yourself to be happier, by cultivating compassion and changing your attitude to events and other people. Very interesting.
    • 5/5
      His Holiness again makes the things we worry about seem so very simple and clear.