Rating: 
Summary: Solid and true book
Review: This book has a very simple title but contains a very deep and true message about the acquisition of happiness. A thoroughly enjoyable read regardless of your religious orientation. Its simplicity in welcome and its truth universal. For a man who has suffered such a displacement as the Dalai Lama has to be able to write in this manner is proof positive about the books content and value.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books.
Review: This is one of my favorite books ever! I usually don't re-read books, but this book is one of the few that I can go back to repeatedly. At first, I wasn't particularly interested when I recieved the book as a gift, but after I started reading it, I was hooked.The layout of the book is very easy to understand. The book is broken down into chapters so that you can flip to the chapter of the problem that's affecting your life today or how to solve a type of problem. It's a very practical yet enlightening book.
Rating: 
Summary: a new way to think about life's ups and downs
Review: Let me just say upfront that I'm a pretty skeptical person and I don't go in for touchy-feely stuff very easily. That said, I really enjoyed this book and think that almost anyone could get something out of it. It is a series of discussions with the Dalai Llama and the author's reflections on his words. The author makes an honest attempt to understand the presented doctrine, but doesn't hesitate to ask probing questions. Sometimes he even gets the Dalai Llama to think about things in a new way! For me, the main theme of the book was about patience, tolerance, and understanding. It has certainly changed my perspective on human behaviour, and I feel I am calmer for this. Although I am not capable yet of embracing all the qualities that this book espouses, I am definitely changed by reading it.
Rating:
Summary: A great primer for a more meaningful life
Review: I greatly enjoyed this- it was a good read. No complex topics- just gets strait to the point. i have given this as a gift a few times. Men especially relate, and are responsive to this book. But I also did and loved the message.
Rating:
Summary: Happiness is within your reach!!
Review: wow, what a book! very enlightening read indeed. i couldnt put down the book and had to finish it in one go. the points that the author is trying to put across are very intriguing and highly sensible. yes, i finally realize that it is the internal happiness that could make us truly happy and that external happiness acquire thru wealth etc wont usually last. So, how do we acquire internal happiness? the key is being compassionate and the rest you got to find out by reading this book!
Rating:
Summary: it's simple but it's real truth
Review: when I get many problems in my life,that book leads me from dark place to the light
I usually forget the truth that we are the human being who want
to be happy
He tell me about the importance of compassion, love without attachment something like that
it shows me the way to reach real happiness.
I'm sure if you understand this truth sincerely,the real happiness will come up
Rating:
Summary: it's simple but it's real truth
Review: when i get many problems in my life,that book lead me from dark place to the light
I usually forget the truth that we are the human being who want
to be happy
He tell me about the importance of compassion, love without attachment something like that
it shows me the way to reach real happiness.
I'm sure if you understand this truth sincerely,the real happiness will come up [...]
Rating: 
Summary: The Dalai Lama Simply Has No Credibility
Review: To anyone who has read much about spirituality or self-awareness, this book probably has nothing new to offer. Neither the advice of the Dalai Lama or that of the author, Howard Cutler, is very remarkable. The author frequently gushes over the profoundness of some simple observation or advice that the Dalai Lama makes. It seems strange to me that a professional psychologist such as Mr. Cutler hadn't already discovered most of what the Dalai Lama teaches before. I did learn one thing from reading this book though: Psychologists are not very bright and I'm therefore not inclined to ever seek the advice of one.
In all fairness, the concepts and ideas presented by the Dalai Lama are good ones. If you've never read much about spirituality or self-awareness this might be a good book to start with. Much better than the Dalai Lama though, I would recommend reading some of the books by the late Anthony de Mello. A major problem with the Dalai Lama however is that he has little credibility. I'm looking for advice that I can apply to MY life. The Dalai Lama however leads a very pampered life. He doesn't have to worry about being unemployed. He doesn't have to worry about being homeless. He doesn't have to worry about obtaining medical care which may be ruinously expensive. He doesn't have to worry about retiring. He doesn't have to worry about being a wage slave the rest of his life. He travels all over the world and doesn't have to worry about paying for it. In fact, people pay him to travel. Everywhere he goes, people treat him deferentially because of his status. It's no surprise that the Dalai Lama is happy. He darn well ought to be!
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Happiness
Review: This book is not typical east meets west. Rather it is a gentle presentation of fundemental behaviors and spiritual practices which truly enrich ones life. The Art of Happiness presents principles for living. The book is is written with many pratical examples which give the reader insight into their reason for being. The majic of the book is that it is presented in a gentle and open manner. I am a member of a fellowship of men and women who believe that change is based on spiritual principles and the daily affirmation (for some) that a higher power is present in some form. This higher power may be called, God or take on any name or form you wish. The fellowship has been growing worldwide since 1935. My interest in writing this review is to attest to the fact that The Art of Living and the fellowship follow the same principles. A path of personal growth and recovery are most definitely wound together in the teachings of the Dalai Lama and the principles which undergird the fellowship started by Bill W. and Dr. Bob. What struck me most about the similarities of each was the emphasis on compassion, our being equal with all others. Another fundemental point made is that the life of identification with suffering is lived without the element of being a do gooder. Rather we strive to identify with the suffereing of our fellow beings. To our western culture compassion lived on a daily basis is counter to the notion of getting to the top, having the most toys at the end of the day. Bopth the Dalai Lama's teaching and the principles of the fellowship stress a focus on, living a live of tolerance, forgiveness and patients. These are some other very basic and important principles that are life changing and affirming. This book is almost a must read for those in the fellowship. Lets say, it is my humble suggestion to my fellow traverlers who chose to travel along the path of recovery. The two thoughts seemed to blend so well going hand in glove, a very comfortable spiritual fit. The Art of Living with its 2500 year old principles of self enlightnement are no stranger to those who strive to live a spriritual life and grow a day at a time by practicing (the application) of many principles on a daily basis.
This lifestyle is very much as applicable today as it was in 1935 or 2500 years ago. Enjoy the journey, enjoy the book, enjoy the practicality of its insights.
Rating:
Summary: A little perspective on life!
Review: This is the type of book that anyone can read... it doesn't matter what religion/faith that one might be. It gives some real perspective to life. One of my favorite sections- If you CAN'T change it, then there is no sense in worrying/fretting over it. If you CAN change it... again, there is no point in worrying/fretting about it. Another perspective is that all those people out there that stress us out, make us mad, etc. They are to be treasured, because with out them, we would not have cause to lean patience and tolerance. If all our encounters were friendly and loving, we would never learn how to cope with adversity and conflict. Believe me, the book states this far more eloquently, and in simple perspectives that I'm sure we can all relate to. I hate to admit that there are a few passages that are a bit of a slow read, but overall...this book is outstanding! Well worth the money! I've even given it as a gift to some of my relatives! :)
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