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Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill :: 0316167258
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| " You may not find happiness in a book, but if reading a book can precipitate a tectonic shift in your life and mind toward robust, genuine, deeply rooted happiness, this would be the book." --JON KABAT-ZINN, AUTHOR OF COMING TO OUR SENSES This is a revolutionary look at happiness, deeply philo-sophical and tremendously engaging, from one of the world's most compelling voices on the subject. Drawing from works of fiction and poetry, contemporary Western philosophy, Buddhist thought, current psychological and scientific research, and personal experience, Ricard weaves an inspirational and forward-looking account of how we can begin to rethink our realities in a fast-moving modern world. With revelatory lessons and exercises that blaze a clear path for readers, this book offers an eloquent and practical guide to a happier life. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
Few books clearly articulate the richness of Buddhist psychology for the general reader. Few books can inspire the reader to live more skillfully and empower her with teachings and tools to cultivate true happiness. Sure there are any number of "self-help" books on "how to feel happy," etc., but Ricard's book teaches about a much deeper, transformative happiness, which is within the reach of every human being.
Buddhist psychology, developed over many centuries, is consistent with much that we have recently learned and continue to learn about our minds and our brains from neuroscience, cognitive science, and "western" psychology. Ricard, a Tibetan monk, is equally at home in Buddhist teachings and contemporary science--he was a scientist before his days as a monk.
In a world with so much violence, so much sadness, and so much negativity, Ricard teaches us how to cultivate happiness, not by blinding ourselves to reality or by looking to some other world above and beyond our own, but by looking upon ourselves and others with the loving eyes of the Buddha. And these teachings have nothing to do with believing any doctrines or even "the truth" of Buddhism. They are practical teachings to be applied in everyday life. The "truth" is in the practice. The Buddha did not want anyone to believe anything just because he said it. He invited people to see for themselves. So see for yourself.
Even if you are not and have no interest in "becoming a Buddhist," I highly recommend this book. I would not consider myself a Buddhist, but the values expressed by Ricard are values I cherish and aspire to embody in my day to day life.
The chapters are also relatively short, so each one can be read and fully digested before moving to the next. (Perfect for reading in bed or on public transportation.)
If taken to heart, this book will surely benefit you. I hope that it does.
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Author: Guest
Happiness - A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill covers so much territory.
This is my first introduction to Matthieu Ricard but woven in the book is the story of his life. Ricard traces his early adult life in France and a promising career in cellular genetics. A career he gave up to study Buddihism. He is now a Buddhist Monk and writes from that perspective.
There is no question that Buddhism has some valuable insights into what life is all about and how best to live a fulfilled life.
One of the most contrasting differences between Buddhism and Western society is the way we view death. For the most part, Western society deals with death in a very unsatisfactory manner. Buddhism on the other hand understand and accepts death as a normal and natural end to life. I think our society would be better off if we could handle death better.
There is another sharp difference in how Western society carries so much mental baggage throughout life, while the Buddhist work to clear their mind of guilt, resentment, hatred and other negative emotions. "What a relief it is for the burdened man who has long walked through the world of suffereing to lay down his heavy and useless load."
Although the book deals with some very deep and complex subject matter, it is well written and easy to understand. There is extensive citing of the source material in the appendix.
While the answer to so many of life's puzzles seem so clear, it is also clear that very few in Western society will ever dig deeply into these concepts. Unfortunately we are always looking for the quick fix. We seem to want to take a magic pill and make things right. Ricard shows us a way to achieve what ever human strives for. But it is very doubtful that many will be willing to make the changes necessary to achieve true happiness.
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Author: Guest
Matthieu Ricard's latest book entitled Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill is an intelligent and easy to read guide. Ricard believes that happiness is not a matter of luck but a state of mind or attitude that anyone can attain with focus and practice. Although I did not find anything revolutionary in this book, it acts as a gentle reminder that in this life, attitude is everything.
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Author: Guest
I got a library copy of this book, but am purchasing it for my own as I want to highlight passages for future reference and reread it many times. Moreover, I may buy it for a friend.
By the way, fluorescent orange is my favorite highlighter because it makes the words jump off the page. Yellow can't be seen well in normal reading light, pink & other colors seem to drown out the black ink of text. But orange is perfect: it can be seen in dimmer light and brings out the black of the text.
On to Mr. Ricard's slim book on happiness. It gets to the main point of meditation that we all want: to be happy. It cuts through layers of psychology and has the message to just be there in the moment. Happiness bubbles up from us naturally if we quit letting old thoughts and future concerns drown it out.
I especially am using the illustration he has of a calm sea untroubled by the waves on the surface. Live in the depths of the sea, not on the surface. And our thoughts are as writing on the surface of the water: they appear and quickly dissipate if we let them instead of ruminating on them.
It's a keeper.
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Author: Guest
This is a scientific review of the Buddhist guide to a happy life. Adds great credence to this approach and the Buddhist philosophy. Ricard was part of the research and is a practicing Buddhist. A good book to reread many times.
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