Reddit reviews The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
We found 18 Reddit comments about The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Used Book in Good Condition
These books helped me:
Sure. There's a bit of a story arc where I came to my senses first, then discovered I wanted to unfuck my life, and leanfire principles is a part of that.
The one that started it all was The Art of Happiness. I was miserable and herein the Dali Lama shocked my life with his assertion that the goal of your life is to be happy. I had a mindset that I had to suffer in order to be worthy of good things in life.
Then, if I recall correctly were non buddhist books, but in the realm getting your head straight:Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life: I saw this man's TED talk.
& How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything
These two go great together to discover that its all in your head and you can change that. I had a terrible inner dialogue and was able to be rid of it. Life Changer!
The I think I read The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety probably 10 times over the last 4-5 years & listened to the audio book when falling asleep. This one really underlined how miserable we make ourselves striving for security that isn't to be had. There is wisdom here that constantly reveals itself long after having read it.
The Pema Chodron Audio Collection was a constant go to also.
My most recent listening are lectures by Ajahn Brahm of Buddhist Society of Western Australia - These lectures really turned me around to moving past the pain, fear & worry about changing my life.
\^\^ I really like listening to these while falling asleep or with a nap on the couch on Sat/Sun afternoons.
Some other notables:
Fuck It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way : Saying Fuck It when you're miserable due to expectations and attachments has a real emotional response vs the above which can be very cerebral.
Man's Search for Meaning: Sometimes it's hard to grateful when wrapped up in our own lives. I read this once a year as a refresher. When I'm being ungrateful I try to remember what others have put up with and it calms down my complaining mind.
The Art of Disappearing: Buddha's Path to Lasting Joy : more from Ajahn Brahm - There is a better way to live our lives and not be miserable. Simplicity and lean fire go really well together.
More minimalism than buddhism, but they jive well together:
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism
Above all I feel these are all about snapping out of the nonsense mindsets & habits many of us have.
Good luck.
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama.
I read it when I was 18 and learned that I can choose to let things bother me. Now I'm pretty good at letting things roll off my back.
On finances:
First of all, it's a common misconception that income is ever stable, because it never is! I may only be a few years older than yourself, but from the perspective of someone who has always held full-time positions, I've been laid-off twice and have worked 5 jobs and 2 small freelance gigs (software/web developer). I'm about to start a new job tomorrow actually! My dream is to become a full-fledged freelancer so I can have the freedom to choose what to work on, when and where. It's a lot of self-management, takes a lot of time to establish relationships and build clientele but for me, I'd rather deal with that extra overhead than work for someone else who has authority over me and tells me what to do. I used to be more passionate and in love with my career, but my increasing nihilistic perspective and working for a terrible boss had changed my view on this. Especially in my industry, a lot of the app development and whatnot can really start feeling pointless and un-impactful so I'd rather do something that I'm content with. Anyway, as long as you have your financials in order (you make more than you spend, build an emergency fund of at least 3-6 months living, invest the rest in an IRA if possible, etc), I think you have an incredible opportunity that I personally would not pass up!
Also, I know this goes without saying, but try to pay off that loan as quickly as possible!
On wellness:
I think I've always been dealing with some form of depression too--some months its worse and some better. Over the years I've spent a lot of time studying philosophy (mostly Stoicism), positive psychology, and buddhism in the form of reading books, joining/participating in subs, reading studies, and meditation/contemplation. I'm not discrediting therapy or psychiatry but for me personally, I don't feel advice, even professional advice, can bring me inner peace (as you might notice, I have a problem with authority :P). I've also read accounts of a lot of people dealing with depression who had found that Buddhist teachings had helped them (for me, it's Stoicism) so maybe it could help you too. I recommend Art of Happiness, as it is a synthesis between Buddhist teaching and western psychiatry that is very relatable. I often find myself referring to it when my depression gets particularly savage.
From my perspective, you really have a lot going for you so if there's any advice to give in light of living simply, it's to keep doing what you're doing. If you think your life is pretty great as you say, there's no need to change it. Simply appreciate it!
Here are some quick recommendations from my list of favorites for those who are interested (I hope mods are OK with links to make looking easier, otherwise I'll happily remove them). These books engaged and inspired me and my imagination:
The Alchemist:
>The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho continues to change the lives of its readers forever. With more than two million copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired.
>Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.
The Three Body Problem is a Chinese Science Fiction novel that has recently become popular in the West thanks to a good translation (I recommend reading my synopsis and not the Amazon one, to avoid spoilers):
>Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project looks for signals in space from alien civilizations. Meanwhile, in the present day, a physicist joins a grizzled detective to investigate why famous scientists are all committing suicide.
Fahrenheit 451:
>Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden.
The Art of Happiness (by the Dalai Lama):
>Nearly every time you see him, he's laughing, or at least smiling. And he makes everyone else around him feel like smiling. He's the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a hugely sought-after speaker and statesman. Why is he so popular? Even after spending only a few minutes in his presence you can't help feeling happier.
Snow Crash:
>Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse.
My guru found me. I was not looking for a guru or a spiritual path. I didn't believe in or have faith in God, religion, spirituality, or any teachers.
I was looking for self understanding and happiness. I was handed a couple of books with a yogic perspective. One was The Art of Happiness, by the Dalai Lama, and the other was Where There is Light, by Paramhansa Yogananda. I resonated with both of these.
In my early readings of Yogananda I remember him saying that "Belief won't save you, you need to know God if you would be free." With all my wisdom, it struck a cord in me that this guy is saying that belief is not what it's all about and that there is some way to KNOW GOD. I thought this was really interesting, because I had assumed all religion and spirituality was a bunch of belief oriented stuff to help weak people make it through the day. I had no idea what was laid out before me.
He said to meditate and I learned how from someone who followed him. He said that God would come to us an any form we called out to, if we would call with deep sincerity and with love. I was ready to try.
I used his techniques for about a year or more, and tried every day. One day I was answered. God is real. Meditation is real. The help of a guru is the greatest blessing to fall on man.
Everything in my life changed. I gave my life to Yogananda. I'll never walk alone again. He is as alive (more alive) than any pile of flesh and bones walking this earth. I know him. He knows me. My life is full of miracles, little and big. The greatest miracle of all is Joy and the Love I feel for God, life and man. I would never have known how good life is if it was not for what Yogananda has done for me.
Understand that the ego is what lies between you and Bliss. That is it, there is nothing else in the way.
Those who say, Oh, an external teacher... or the guru is within... and basically are guiding themselves, I understand, but there is a better way. It's not black and white. The guru IS within, but the guru is not your own mind or thoughts or feelings. He/She is behind all of them. Watching, praying and waiting for you to recognize their presence in your life.
If you want to know your guru. Pray for that awareness to come to you once you have become prepared to receive what the guru can offer.
The guru is not here to get you a job, a girfriend, or an easy life. The Guru comes when you are over it. When you are ready to put it all down and want God alone.
When this is what you want, and you are really clear, when you are desparate as St. Anthony, or St Francis, or Sri Rama Krishna, the guru will cry for you in your heart and will arise in your life.
and still, you'll have to choose. You'll have to overcome doubt and fear to receive him.
and it will be the most glorious day of your life when you really know, you have never been alone.
love and joy to all
How do you measure the success ? Wealth ? Fame ? Both are not worth pursuing and you already know that, since they don't bring happiness to life. Two things come to my mind:
Hope this helps man, good luck ! You are already doing a massive good job by being super honest with yourself and sharing this problem and all its details. This is not an easy thing to do and requires a lot of ego-gymnastics.
Yes, absolutely. Knowledge is key.
Consider this analogy: A clinically depressed person, is an individual who is in an unfamiliar land, a depressive land. And psychological knowledge, and philosophical knowledge serves as the map with which the individual may become better acquainted with their surroundings, feeling more comfortable there, and the map can direct them towards roads/highways/bridges to leave that place and venture to other states of mind.
I was depressed to the point of cutting myself each night and considering suicide on a weekly basis. And so I checked myself into a clinical psychologist and it was the best decision I ever made in my life thus far.
I realize you have financial constraints, and so I will tell you that I benefited wonderfully from therapy thus far through my therapist's book recommendations. I've since become very interested in philosophy. And you will find that philosophy and psychology are like neighbors really.
And so I encourage you to investigate your problems. Knowledge holds the key to happiness. As I was depressed I was simply unaware of various psychological doors which separated me from happiness, and I was unaware of my ability to open those doors myself. The power of the self to heal the self is astounding. On that note, here are some book recommendations for you.
I'd also recommend a book based on interviews with Dalia Lama - The Art Of Happiness
It goes through the principles of being happy. A constant mindset of opting a positive view. It's like the opposite of How Not To Give A Fuck. But I found it good to see both sides.
It takes practice and I often feel depressed but over the years I've been getting better at staying positive, which really helps dealing with the self-blame and self loathing that OP is describing.
Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!
Here are your smile-ified links:
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
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Is it good so far? Another two that helped me a few years back when I was struggling with similar issues were Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart and the Dalai Lama's The Art of Happiness, if you might like to check those out :)
I'm currently reading Frank Herbert's Dune. I'm trying to read more this year... I used to read quite a bit, and then fell off when I was in college. So my goal is a book every two weeks.
I'd recommend (just off the top of my head):
Most of Thich Naht Hanh's books go into this in one way or another too. Basically if you read a book by any Buddhist teacher they'll go into this at least a little bit.
Try reading. Several years ago I found myself in a similar mindset (and still do on occasion) and stumbled across a book that the Dalai Lama co-wrote called “The Art of Happiness“ that really changed my perspective and outlook on a lot of things. I go back and reread through it every couple of years still. It’s not in a “self help” style of writing like so many books I’ve read since are which may be why it’s stuck with me so much.
Start by reading books on self-esteem and such. No one I know has not read at least one such book, whether you call it self-help or a text on psychology.
Try The Art of Happiness or search for "self-esteem" on amazon. My first book, among many afterwards, was Awaken the Giant Within. It wasn't the greatest book, but it was good and led me on to many other good books.
Why read? Because one needs to contemplate who one is, you need to know who you are. Books help steer your mind toward self-reflection and honesty, and maybe as you are guided toward yourself, you can take the rest of the necessary steps to self-knowledge and compassion.
Sometimes contrast helps: try The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
>conditions apply)
Of course. Happiness comes with a condition: practice.
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Happiness-10th-Anniversary-Handbook/dp/1594488894
The first book I read on Buddhism changed my life. It was the Dalai Lama's "The Art of Happiness."
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594488894/ref=asc_df_15944888941760618?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=1594488894
Same boat here. Well, not same. Similar. I think everyone has "custom pain". You can "relate", but you can never really know what that person is going through.
I'm suicidal as well, but somewhere along the lines, I used to cry and get upset about it, but now I don't even flinch when it crosses my mind.
Have you tried therapy? Medications? For me, these never worked. For years I tried. But I think that isn't the case for most people. I understand the idea behind it all. I've had better results being on track with the gym, and eating right. Have you tried that?
I'm still struggling. I read a lot of self help books. One book I've recommended to a dozen people, and have even bought copies for people on hard times would be https://www.amazon.com/Art-Happiness-10th-Anniversary-Handbook/dp/1594488894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485693756&sr=8-1&keywords=the+art+of+happiness It's not really buddhist preachy. It's been a long time since I've read it. I need to go back and re-read it, I think. All I truly remember from this book is that I walked away with a smile on my face, when I finished reading it. And a smile in my life is a very rare thing. I haven't read that book since it came out, but I still remember how good I felt after I finished it. So I recommend that.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm not a religious person, and that isn't a religious book. It's co-written by a shrink, and it's written for "everybody", not just buddhists.
Other then that... Spend some time online looking up funny clips. You may not have my sense of humor, but here are a couple I like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8VrxPrkkiA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vROdVsU_K80, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enOHraf3LEk,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gabzGnu6w9A
Keep in mind, some of those are nsfw.
Good luck to you. I hope this helped.