The Art of Happiness

A Handbook for Living

By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler M.D. M.D.

Narrated by: Howard C. Cutler M.D. M.D.

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.©1998 His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D., All Rights Reserved; (P)1998 Simon & Schuster, Inc.; SOUND IDEAS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

I 'd recommend a text version...

While the content was good, I'd recommend a text version for 2 reasons:

1) Both narrators distracted from the content for me, albeit for opposite reasons: the author / main narrators reading was dry, dull, and non-conversational; the man reading for the Dalai Lama felt over the top, almost trying too hard to make the words sound profound.

2) For me, it helps to be able to read and re-read passages and concepts that deserve particular attention. Even with the ability to fast forward, bookmark audio passages, etc -- I feel like I would've had a more effective experience with paper and a highlighter.

Excellent Listen

This book never gets old. I've read it and listened to it several times. You can't go wrong with this purchase.

amazingly insightful

I loved this book from start to finish, lots of great advice and logic. "Our purpose on this planet is to help people and if you can't help them at least don't hurt them" one of my favorite quotes from the Dalai Lama

Easy to understand, good for beginners

Essential but basic teachings on Buddhist beliefs expounded on by Cutler. Good jumping off point for those interested in the topic.

Very good

How does one judge a book? If you learn and implement one good concept in your life, I call that a good book.
It would be extremely difficult for anyone with an open mind to listen to this book and not find at least one good concept or belief that would enhance their life.
For me, it is the thought that believing that intimacy may only be found with a romantic partner. A thought pervasive in western culture. To the contrary, the view expressed that I will implement is that any human interaction is a chance of intimacy, respect for another’s dignity, and doorway to a possible friendship. Compassion. Every interaction is an opportunity to grow it and show it.