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Summary: Another Great Book from Lester
Review: "Happiness is Free" is a combination of teachings, aphorisms, dialogue and pure wisdom, gleaned from the life lessons of Lester Levenson. To fully appreciate the book, it would be a good idea to read "No Attachments, No Aversions" by Lester Levenson, to understand more about him and how he came to these simple, but profound, revelations about life. Hale Dwoskin, a student of Lester's, compiled the book and added his own valuable insights gained from working with Lester and his material for over 20 years. Some of the main points...
We are unlimited beings. (I had always believed in scarcity and the need to compete)
Our happiness comes from the awareness of our "beingness" - something no one can ever take away.
Our "problems" are really just illusions we create by holding on vs. letting go.
On the surface, some of the material might seem simplistic, but the more I read it and absorb it, the more profound it becomes. It must have really impacted Lester, since he was supposed to have died at 42, and instead, with these revelations, lived happily to age 84, in great health.
Some people just "get it". I think Lester was one of them. I enjoy reading his works and feeling his positive energy. It just seems soothing and reassuring, especially from someone who lived it and touched so many lives.
So I recommend the book and his other autobiographical one, "No Attachments, No Aversions". Hope that helps.
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Summary: This will work for many; but prepare to work for it.
Review: "Happiness Is Free" is a marvelous book with a simple system that helps readers work toward self mastery. However; this will NOT work for everyone. Furthermore; the many people this program will work for may incorrectly believe turning your life around is easier that it is, and give up in frustration. My suggestion is for you; to not read through the book one time and set it on the shelf, and believe you have solved your problems. Do the exercizes, then take the baby steps, then keep taking these small steps for 6 months to a year, then look back and see how far you have progressed. I wish to comment about various portions of the book. Page 3: "When I had studied various body centered disciplines including Yoga, Tai-Chi, Shiatsu. I had actively participated in various courses, including EST, Actualism, theta seminars and Rebirthing." _| Mr. Dwoskin and I have been down many similar or same paths. (Yoga, (Qigong instead of Tai Chi),( Kiatsu instead of Shiatsu), Actualism, Theta development, and Rebirthing.) I also did Reiki, Seichim, HUNA, Crystal healing, etc. Page 7: "Having cleared out the neegative fears, All the negative "I cannots," I would focus right on the answer to every problem, and get it very quickly. And so my whole life turned around from being depressed and sick"_| I could NOT agree more. Let me caution you that turning that corner and walking out of the pits of despair is NOT easy. So prepare for a lot of internal work. This will fall away from you quickly looking back in hindsight, but at the time; success WILL be an inch at a time. Page 15: "I saw that the source of all this energy, of all intelegence was basicly harmonious' and that harmony was the rule of the universe." _| I can not say it better, or agree more. Page 16: "I saw that the only limitations I had were the ones I accepted." _| I agree 100%. No one fully understands the potential of the human body, mind, and spirit. Page 18: "It is such a delight when you're in tune, in harmony-you see God Everywhere!" _| this is remarking the obvious. God IS everywhere (including you and me). Page 21: "We should only accept what he or she teaches once we prove it for ourselves through our own experience." _| Agreed. If this does not work for you; does not mean it does not work for anyone, each of us have different spiritual questions to answer. Page 35: "The more you can lead with your heart and not your mind in this process the easier it is to do." _| True; but the more you open your heart; the easier it is to be hurt until you master your mind. Page 39: "the original thought of "I am seperate from the All" necessarilt creates a feeling of lack and lonliness." _| Agreed. You will need to remind yourself at times that "We are all connected". There is no lonliness only the perception of lonliness. Page 65: "Prayer is for those who need praying" _| This is Mr. Levenson's opinion; but I do not share it. Page 66: "But Prayer admits duality-God is "out there."" _| I disagree. I see no contradition to say I am part of God. but there are other parts of God that hears and answers prayers. Page 84: "The ego is very tricky. It often talks us out of this path for a short period of time, sometimes a longer period of time." _| Agreed. Training the mind is long and ardurous. Page 85: "You give up limitation. You give up misery, but you never give up anything worthwhile." _| I disagree. You give up precious time that you can not regain. It would be MUCH better if parents would be gentle with what a child is taught to believe. Page 86: "You nust have a very strong desire to change, because you are such a victim of habit" _| That is only 1/3 of the picture. Desire is NOT enough. To change you also need Courage to take proper actions on the new path you have chosen, and Perseverence to keep taking those small steps until you can walk and then run. Page 87: "The best place to grow is right where you are. The best time is now." _| Could not agree more. You can not say I will take those large steps when I get there, but if you continue living on autopilot; you never get to the point where you can take those large impressive steps. Crawl when you can, then walk. Page 90: "The more you grow, the less you need to grow." _| I disagree. the more I grow toward mastery, the more work I see to do. Every answer tends to create more questions. Page 106: "Everyone wants a continuous, constant, eternal hapiness with no sorrow whatsoever" _| I know this is a cliche; but "You only appreciate the mountaintop after walking through the valley". Page 131: "The best way to increase our capacity to love is though understanding ourselves." _| A better analysis is
"Are you; your own best friend?" You can't love or respect someone else until you love or respect yourself" Speaking from experience here. Mahalo: Two Bears
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Summary: Can REALLY Improve Your Life!
Review: Happiness is Free is a "must have" for anyone seriously looking to bring more freedom and joy into their lives. Lester Levenson had a personal "awakening" similar to that undergone by Eckhart Tolle and described in his wonderful book "The Power of Now". What makes Happiness is Free so useful are the specific exercises given that anyone can use and the very direct, simple, yet powerful statements from Lester. By using the tools and techniques in this book my life continues to be filled with more abundance, joy and peace. Thank you, Hale, for sharing this with the world.
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Summary: A Guidebook for Those Committed to Changing Beliefs
Review: HAPPINESS IS FREE is one of those amazing books that you either take at face value as something that will change your life forever -- or discount as "too good to be true." It's a credit to the author, Hale Dwoskin, that this book succeeds in convincing me that when one lives in accordance with the principles outlined in this small volume, one can reap phenomenal rewards. HAPPINESS IS FREE is a seven week course based on the Sedona method teachings of Lester Levenson. Readers are advised to carefully follow the suggestions of the book to read slowly, practice using the new ideas, and document daily experiences in a journal in order to allow the seemingly simple lessons to take root in the unconscious. This book reminds you that you are already a joyous spiritual being who is totally loved and loving -- and that your key to happiness is to remember and fully access this truth! The main principle described in HAPPINESS IS FREE is that true happiness comes from freeing oneself from the grips of one's ego. The bulk of the book is devoted to helping you do just that -- break free of the death-grip that your ego has on your life at this very moment. A diary of progress is included in this book, along with numerous aphorisms designed as affirmations of living a spiritual life and letting go of ego-fixations. What I like best about HAPPINESS IS FREE is the way it describes what it feels like to live a spiritual life. I was very glad to read the experiences that Lester Levenson shares in the beginning of this book, such as the way people offered him everything he needed with great delight no matter where he went! Those who have difficulty believing that such things could happen will likely not enjoy this book as much as those who already know that such things are not only possible, but can become much more prevalent in one's life. I highly recommend this book to all spiritual seekers who are committed to changing their beliefs and radically improving their lives.
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Summary: But This Book Isn't Free
Review: Happiness is Free written by Hale Dwoskin and Lester Levenson is a self-improvement book that relies heavily on Buddhism. I don't think the Buddhists of India are any happier than the secular people of America, but apparently the authors think that one should go east spiritually for happiness. The book starts out with an interesting account of the first half of the life of Lester Levenson who had all his material and romantic needs fulfilled at least at first glance, but alas, he was still unhappy and deathly ill even though he was successful in a worldly way. He examined the source of his unhappiness and found that it was because he wanted to change the world, but couldn't. He found in his unhappiness that the best way to become supremely happy was to imagine himself loving other people selflessly, even his enemies. He also put this selfless love into action, doing for others, but wanting nothing in return. He states that there is no need for politics, although it seems important, if everyone has love for each other since we are all basically one. That's what the new agers say, but I must say critics can come with some powerful arguments against such reasoning or lack of reasoning. Indeed, a left-brainer could easily dismiss much of the philosophy in this book as irrational and naive. The book goes on to explore how we can create our own reality. Since we are the 'All of reality' and not really separate from it, the authors come up with Zen-like paradoxical mantras to help one achieve enlightenment such as "I am separate from the All, I am the All; or "I am loving, I am love"; or "There are problems, everything is perfect" and other such new age mind games. The authors encourage us to be skeptical, which I have no trouble being. There is also a mind exercise of loving and then hating a person, place, or thing as much as possible by asking yourself, "Can I hate (whatever) as much as possible?--Can I love it as best I can?" This supposedly makes one feel happier. After trying the various exercises, I can't really say I'm feeling it. Maybe a little. I'm fairly content right now anyway. Hey, but if this your bag, grab it. I think that I've been happiest experiencing some pleasure, which usually costs money to indulge in. I don't think I've been happiest loving people, although every once in a great while, I meet some charming person whose pleasant company and mindset I like, at least for awhile. I think it is best to not indulge oneself too long in sad feelings, otherwise you going down the road to destruction. And don't expect more than life can give. That's my pragmatic advice, anyway.
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Summary: Happiness Is Free: And It's Easier Than You Think!
Review: It is not often that a book comes along that carries a message that rings with the truth from the universal source. This book easily and comfortably shows the reader how to go to the depths of one's beingness, the place from which springs eternal peace. I am a practicing psychologist, and have learned to use this approach for myself, and for most of my clients. I have never seen such rapid, deep, and pervasive shifts in my clients and myself, as I have seen by using this method. I have used many techniques over the past 30 years; I always come back to this one. There is no need to do what I call "psycho-archeological digs" into one's past to attain that which is available to all of us now, in the present moment. If you have not read this book, I suggest you do so at your first opportunity. Whether you're a healing professional, a business person, a student, a housewife, a very curious teenager, or anyone else whom I can or can't think of--purchase this book now, sit down, and read yourself into a state of peace.
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Summary: Sound psychology
Review: The book consists of seven sessions designed to liberate the natural joy and happiness within the individual. It is meant to be used as a 7-week course. Each session consists of practical exercises plus inspirational messages and blank pages for making notes. The text is based on Lester Levenson's words, sometimes as replies to a series of questions, while comments and exercises have been added by Dwoskin. The technique is based on polarities, with the reader or student exploring two sides of the problem to reach a solution and to subordinate the ego to the higher mind. Not having done the exercises I cannot vouch for their efficacy, but the book has enough of value for the casual reader too and is a source of sound psychology.
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Summary: Hale Dowoskin adds little value to the work of Levenson
Review: This book gives the impression that it is co-authored or at least collaborated by both Hale Dwoskin and the late Lester Levenson.
In fact, the book consists mainly of the ideas and work of Lester Levenson and with maybe a section added by Hale Dwoskin.
While it is worthwhile to publicize the work of Levenson, it is bothersome to me that an early disciple has given the false impression of being a co-author or co-collaborator. Other than my criticism of the entrepreneurial intent of Dowskin, the book will give the reader a good overview of the ideas of Levenson that developed into what is now called the Sedona Method.
For me it did not earn the oft-used cliche of "Change Your Live", but it is a good introduction.
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Summary: Not a book on mood psychology as the title implies.
Review: This book is not a book on mood psychology but propoganda for monotheistic religion, refering to God, always capitalized, on nearly every other page. If i were into such concepts I could easily dilude myself into any state of unphoria without needing a book to help me. The Power of Now by Ekcart Tolle is a much better book that sticks to the topic without promoting any particular faiths or religion.
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Summary: Simple and direct-from-Heart communication
Review: This is a very nice book. This should appeal to those who read several books on Spirituality, because it provides several pointers directly, and very concisely, in simple sentences. No complicated philosophy or logic. It is a communication from heart. For the beginner this is a great starting point. For example the following two sentences on page 107, are quite revealing: "All thought are concepts of limitaion." "Thinking is just relating things to other things, connecting things together. Knowing every thing, we know the unity, the one-ness, and there is no necessity for relating things by thought." (I am particularly impressed by the thoughts presented on page 107) The book presents the pointers on our Goal, Right action, Indicators of Spiritual Growth, Where to look for Happiness, Expression of Self as Love, Importance of Direct realization than Belief, and Spirit of givingness. Book is very well edited. The comments of Hale Dwoskin are helpful. Hales's hints on polarities points to subtle differences between not-Being Vs Being. It cuts through subtle confusion surrounding the goal by dwelling on the closely resembling ideas which are in fact opposing the truth. I would keep this book, and revisit several times, for its simplicity of comminication.
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