Review and Giveaway: The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World

Update: The winners have already been chosen for this giveaway:

• Cynthia Atkins
• Kevin Costillo
• Tracey Sullivan
• Stephanie (@Omgitsafox)
• Brenda Sue

Is it possible to be happy in a world marred by prejudice, violence, and global disharmony—in a time when people often feel isolated from their communities, even in the most heavily populated places?

That’s the main question presented in The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World; and the answer is a resounding yes.

The fourteenth Dalai Lama has known tremendous adversity in his lifetime—having been exiled from his homeland of Tibet when communist China invaded in 1959—and yet he still believes that human nature is intrinsically good.

But that’s not the crux of The Art of Happiness; it’s far more than just Buddhist wisdom.

The book follows a series of conversations between psychiatrist Dr. Howard C. Cutler and His Holiness, creating a guideline for happiness that reflects eastern philosophy without ignoring western reality.

If you’ve never read any of the Dalai Lama’s work, you’ll find this book a comprehensive introduction to his basic philosophy: that the purpose of life is to be happy, and that many of the behaviors and thinking patterns we adopt early on in life compromise our ability to meet that goal.

Dr. Cutler examines the Dalai Lama’s fundamental beliefs, asks clarifying questions, and then supports their mutual conclusions with scientific research and examples from history.

The result is a book that thoroughly explores:

• Why we feel separate from each other
• How we can simultaneously pursue individual and collective happiness
• How cultural influences and our brains’ wiring contribute to innate prejudices
• How we can realistically overcome those problems and find peace of mind
• How taking action on an individual level will help the world at large

I’ve read several other books by the Dalai Lama but none of the previous in this series, which includes three. Dr. Cutler’s probing questions elicit the type of answers that, I feel, would satisfy even the harshest cynic.

I put this book down feeling inspired and enriched. Above all else, the conversations and stories reminded me our perception of human nature influences our interactions with people; and that ultimately determines whether we live in a peaceful or hostile world.

The Giveaway

If you’d like to receive a free copy of The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, retweet this:

RT @tinybuddha Dalai Lama book giveaway; RT & comment on the post to win a copy http://bit.ly/7kHjcw

Then comment below so I’ll be able to contact you by email. I will choose five winners randomly on Wednesday.

FTC Disclosure: I receive complimentary books for reviews and interviews on tinybuddha.com, but I am not compensated for writing or obligated to write anything specific. I am an Amazon affiliate, meaning I earn a percentage of all books purchased through the links I provide on this site.

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.

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