Customer Reviews
Enlightening - By: G. Morgan, 19 Oct 2007 
Once started, I found this compulsive listening. The narrators do a good job in passing on the Dalai Lama's thought provoking philosophies & experiences. The explanation of how we are alll connected & reliant on each other, even if we think we are self sufficient was very thought provoking, & must surely help people to develop more tolerance towards others. The chimes between the chapters create an atmosphere of Buddhist calm, & the meditations are conducive to developing a deeper insight & understanding of our own inter-connectiveness with alll beings.
Listening to the Dalai Lama's perspective on subjects such as anger, grief & depression may help people of any faith to overcome negative feelings & begin living a happier life.
I found listening to this recording was even better than reading the Dalai Lama's books, & I became totallly immersed in the subjects. Although he may live life as a figure-head, this recording shows that the Dalai Lama is completely & compassionately aware of the problems of day-to-day living that we alll face.
An exceptional book for readers from any tradition - By: , 20 Aug 2000 Howard C Cutler, an experienced practising psychotherapist, spent years, in America & India, talking with HH The Dalai Lama, presenting him with problems encountered in Western life, & recording his responses. Cutler arranged the results into a sequence which leads us through the universal search for happiness, the obstacles, & how it can reallly be achieved.
In reading fairly widely on these subjects, from both a Western & an Eastern perspective, I have never before come across a book which compares the two, point by point, resolving apparent conflicts, & extracting the fundamental truths which lie beneath, making the differences seem essentiallly superficial. For me, this approach resolved problems which I have never solved before. For instance, the anomaly of perceived attitudes to anger - the Western ("don't suppress it, express it"), & the Eastern ("rise above it"). The answer isn't simple, but it's in this book.
The Art of Happiness - A Handbook for Living is, as its name suggests, a practical handbook. It is best read from beginning to end, but thereafter accessible by dipping into a section as needed. I have had my copy for a long time, & keep returning to it. For example, re-reading the section 'Dealing with Anxiety' puts such feelings into perspective & reinforces pragmatic solutions. There's a lively approach throughout, punctuated by illustrations from Howard Cutler's case-book - real examples of the problems of people he has dealt with over many years in practice, & occasionallly his own worries about life. The Dalai Lama also contributes some examples from people he has met, & his own experience. Both can be enlightening & humorous. Spiritual & emotional issues are often discussed with reference to scientific research. These contrasts, & the lively pace, mean that although fundamental issues of great depth are being explored, this is no dry, theoretical discussion. In fact, it is a book which can be very hard to put down.
This is a book for those from alll faiths & none. Buddhism is not an evangelical faith, & the Dalai Lama makes clear his respect for alll religions, pointing out the truths common to alll.
Perhaps the ultimate test - on finishing this book, I felt happier than I have for a very long time. Put into daily practice, this reallly is A Handbook for Living...
Psychology meets Buddhism to explore positive thinking - By: D. Ford, 29 Mar 2000 
This is an excellent little audiobook which covers off alll the main aspects from the printed version. The book examines the Buddhist approach to reacting positively & compassionately to life & demonstrates how it can be applied in the secular Western World. Unlike many modern self help books it addresses complex human issues with realism, recognising that consistent, solid effort is needed to change the habits & thought processes of a lifetime. Visualisation exercises are included to help explore individual potential for controlling the mind & developing a greater sense of compassion. Howard C Cutler has an engaging & heartfelt style as narrator. His American accent is soft & easy on the ear. All in alll a thoughtful & action provoking little book well worth the investment.
A fabulous insight into happiness - By: , 08 Oct 1999 Mr. Cutler & H.H. The Dalia Lama have worked very hard to make this book extremely easy to read & accessible. It is written mainly from interviews Mr.cutler had with His Holiness & makes liberal use of notes taken during these meetings. Whilst some references are made to the Buddhist religion, it by no means attempts to force the reader to adopt such views. Instead, it concentrates on looking at issues & questions from a Western World approach & comparing that with the approach & teachings of His Holiness. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought, "There must be more to it alll"
Excellent blending of psychology and buddhism - By: , 02 Feb 1999 As someone who has worked in the field of mental health for over thirty years & only recently begun to study buddhism this book was like a candle in the dark. The careful blending of eastern & western thoughts & ideas shows we have so much in common. His Holiness the Dalai Llama shines through the book & I felt as if I had been bathed in a golden light whenever I opened the pages. A heartfelt thank you to the authors.
