A book presenting a series of interviews Howard C. Cutler, an experienced psychiatrist, has held with His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. A guide on living from one of the greatest spiritual leaders in the world, which offers valuable advice on how to achieve lasting happiness.
My thoughts:
I found this book to be rich in practical wisdom. We are taught how to overcome everyday problems and achieve a state of peacefulness, which will eventually lead to the much-coveted happiness. The spiritual tradition as seen through the eyes of His Holiness blends with the practicality of Dr. Howard C. Cutler, with one common element: we all want to be happy.
The principles of Tibetan Buddhism seem to be focused on an essential subject, finding one's balance in life. As opposed to what we believe happiness to be, the Dalai Lama shows that state can only result from complete spiritual and mental freedom. His approach to living is simple yet powerful.
It was interesting to see how Dr. Cutler pressed His Holiness to come up with answers to difficult questions. With each interview, he pondered before providing a clear solution to issues such as loneliness, conflict, unfairness, anger, love, unhappiness, and even death. At first, his answers might seem simplistic but, if one is patient enough to read further, they will take the form of a remarkable philosophy.
One of the things I liked the most is that the Dalai Lama does not offer a quick recipe to becoming happy. He highlights the fact that the art of happiness, like any art, requires study and practice. However, we should not worry, as it is in our nature to pursue it. In our journey, we will also learn to practice compassion and understanding, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
Verdict:
"The Art of Happiness" is a book for those who are looking to improve their lives. Whether you are Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, or Christian, within the pages of this book, you will find a wealth of advice on how to change your perspective. Addressing many of the issues we face in daily life, it will teach you to cope with suffering and become more empathetic. At the end of the day, we're all just humans and our condition is the very thing that unites us, regardless of our culture or background.
Comentários