How to Want What You Have: Discovering the Magic and Grandeur of Everyday Existence

Rating:
Summary: Some great ideals and a well-referenced thesis.
Review: Another title for this book could be "How to be inhumanly good." Miller's main thesis is that it is human instinct to want more, no matter how much you have, how good your life is, etc. Because of this, he argues, it is impossible for us to get what we want, because we will always invent something that we don't have. So we should come to terms with this urge and get on with our lives. In addition to this, he proposes three major areas to concentrate whenever we get too bogged down in wanting more. These three areas are Compassion, Attention, and Gratitude. So, according to Miller, if we continually strive to be more compassionate, pay more attention to what is going on around us and to what others are saying, and be more thankful for what we have, the yearnings for more should eventually fade, though of course never disappear completely. It was certainly an interesting read, but I think it would be almost impossible to follow exactly Miller's suggestions, though of course helpful to strive towards his ideals. It would take extraordinary dedication to the ideas and practices layed out in this book. Miller introduces many interesting sociological, historical, and religious documents to support his thesis. And it is a thesis to some extent, being extremely well-referenced. Miller approaches his readers as rational, intelligent individuals, rather that the desperate masses seeking THE answer. He even lists his email address and a mailing list dedicated to discussing the theories in the book. I subscribed to the mailing list for a couple of weeks, but found it a bit too heavy in long depressing narratives or short messages from obviously depressed individuals.

Rating:
Summary: Some great ideals and a well-referenced thesis.
Review: Another title for this book could be "How to be inhumanly good." Miller's main thesis is that it is human instinct to want more, no matter how much you have, how good your life is, etc. Because of this, he argues, it is impossible for us to get what we want, because we will always invent something that we don't have. So we should come to terms with this urge and get on with our lives. In addition to this, he proposes three major areas to concentrate whenever we get too bogged down in wanting more. These three areas are Compassion, Attention, and Gratitude. So, according to Miller, if we continually strive to be more compassionate, pay more attention to what is going on around us and to what others are saying, and be more thankful for what we have, the yearnings for more should eventually fade, though of course never disappear completely. It was certainly an interesting read, but I think it would be almost impossible to follow exactly Miller's suggestions, though of course helpful to strive towards his ideals. It would take extraordinary dedication to the ideas and practices layed out in this book. Miller introduces many interesting sociological, historical, and religious documents to support his thesis. And it is a thesis to some extent, being extremely well-referenced. Miller approaches his readers as rational, intelligent individuals, rather that the desperate masses seeking THE answer. He even lists his email address and a mailing list dedicated to discussing the theories in the book. I subscribed to the mailing list for a couple of weeks, but found it a bit too heavy in long depressing narratives or short messages from obviously depressed individuals.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I could love this as the premise is excellent.
Review: How to Want What You Have, Discovering the Magic and Grandeur of Ordinary Existence, sounds like the perfect panacea to the rush and hurry, but get nowhere world. According to the jacket, Dr. Miller advises that you must learn to open your eyes to the beauty, mystery and grandeur of ordinary existence. An absolutely excellent thought. However, as a therapist, I do not believe in what I call therapy by sledgehammer. The endless talk, talk, talk about how to learn how to want what you have and especially via cognitive therapy became boring and so I wrote a poem: Therapy by sledgehammer is not my type, The client doesn't learn, except to gripe. The patient's got to want the journey, Yet not be carried out on a gurney. Endless talk, talk, talk This tape sounds like blackboard, nails and chalk. Look around and see the light, Be a lover and don't fight. And for this tape, you will be fine If you hold your money, friends of mine! I believe in the basic premise of this tape but not its presentation.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For All Depresives
Review: I am a sufferer of depression. I've had three bouts with it, the last one landing me in a psych ward, a very good one I might add. The therapist I saw after that recommended I read this book and it is one of the most influential books I have read in my life. I highly recommend anyone who is prone to depression to read this stellar work. It gives a whole new perspective on how one should look at every aspect of everyday life, especially the mundane. It has impacted my life profoundly. If anyone suffers from depression, I know all too well what it's like. I can't stress strongly enough...GET THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: Better than most of its ilk!
Review: I've been studying, beginning to practice, and teaching about "Voluntary Simplicity." This is a tremendous book in coming to grips with the fundamental obstacle to this process. Mr Miller's studies ring true to me, his technique seems appropriate, and his recognition that this is a process, not a goal reminds us that we're always needful of more compassion, more attention and more gratitude, paradoxical though it may be!

Rating:
Summary: Better than most of its ilk!
Review: I've been studying, beginning to practice, and teaching about "Voluntary Simplicity." This is a tremendous book in coming to grips with the fundamental obstacle to this process. Mr Miller's studies ring true to me, his technique seems appropriate, and his recognition that this is a process, not a goal reminds us that we're always needful of more compassion, more attention and more gratitude, paradoxical though it may be!

Rating:
Summary: Better than most of its ilk!
Review: I've been studying, beginning to practice, and teaching about "Voluntary Simplicity." This is a tremendous book in coming to grips with the fundamental obstacle to this process. Mr Miller's studies ring true to me, his technique seems appropriate, and his recognition that this is a process, not a goal reminds us that we're always needful of more compassion, more attention and more gratitude, paradoxical though it may be!

Rating:
Summary: The Next Step Up
Review: If you are interested in being happier, this book is for you. I read it first at the library, then bought a copy. I read it over often and find it helpful each time. The basic idea is that humans have an instinctive desire to get MORE wealth, status, and the like, no matter how much they already have. Getting off this road to nowhere is hard to do because the desire for more is instinctive. While applying Miller's ideas completely would be a lifetime's work, I find that doing even a little works to make me happier. If you have problems with depression, this book works well in combination with other books on cognitive therapy, like Burns' Feeling Good.

Rating:
Summary: The Next Step Up
Review: If you are interested in being happier, this book is for you. I read it first at the library, then bought a copy. I read it over often and find it helpful each time. The basic idea is that humans have an instinctive desire to get MORE wealth, status, and the like, no matter how much they already have. Getting off this road to nowhere is hard to do because the desire for more is instinctive. While applying Miller's ideas completely would be a lifetime's work, I find that doing even a little works to make me happier. If you have problems with depression, this book works well in combination with other books on cognitive therapy, like Burns' Feeling Good.

Rating:
Summary: I'm alive today because of this book.
Review: If you're looking for a reason to keep going and a way to do it, buy this book, read every word, take the time to understand it, and put Miller's advice to work in your own life. This is a book I've returned to again and again--a permanent and treasured part of my library.