Rent The Art Of Happiness: A Handbook For Living

Synopsis

In this best-selling book, psychiatrist Howard C. Cutler interviews the Dalai Lama about the topic of happiness. How can we be happy? Why can't we stay happy? What causes unhappiness? In a series of thought-provoking conversations, Cutler coaxes some answers from his subject. The answers are simple, but the prescription is not easy. Happiness, according to the venerable Buddhist leader, is a discipline of both the mind and the heart. Anger, resentment, anxiety, and conflict all occur when we let our thoughts dwell on separation and negativity. Opening our hearts to others, and understanding that we are all more alike than different, is the key to compassion. Compassion relieves the heart of its burden, and creates a space for happiness to dwell. Even pain and hardship can be borne with happiness if we learn to cultivate inner calm and kindness. While the Dalai Lama's ideas sound overly simple, he grounds his answers with examples from his own life, and responds intelligently when Cutler plays devil's advocate. Because this is written as a collection of interviews, we are privy not only to the Dalai Lama's thoughts, but also to insightful commentary from the author. Their partnership brings together ancient Buddhist teachings, modern medical sensibilities and plain old common sense.

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