The
Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living was a
groundbreaking
collaboration between His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and Howard C. Cutler,
M.D., a Phoenix-based psychiatrist.
Beginning with a small
first printing in 1998 the
book rapidly spread by word of mouth to become a classic manual on human happiness that has
sold over 1.5 million copies in the US alone.
The book remained on The New York Times bestseller
list for almost two years, and has become a source of help and
inspiration to millions of readers throughout the world. Responding to the
requests by readers, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler followed this book with
another volume in 2003, their second New York Times bestseller, titled The Art
of Happiness at Work.
Drawing
upon 2500 years of Buddhist wisdom, combined with the latest findings of modern
science, and mixed with a healthy dose of
common sense, these
remarkable volumes offer a practical approach to human happiness—a rational
approach that can be practiced by individuals from any background,
tradition, or religion.
There are
many facets to leading a happy life. It begins by understanding the true and
legitimate sources of happiness. The Art of Happiness is based on a few basic
premises:
|
1.
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The purpose of life is happiness. |
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2.
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Happiness is determined more by the state of one’s mind than by one’s
external conditions, circumstances, or events—at least once one’s basic
survival needs are met. |
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3.
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Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and
minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook. |
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4.
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The
key to happiness is in our own hands. |
Starting with these fundamental principles,
the books continue with
an in depth investigation
of human happiness. The Art of Happiness offers a variety of techniques
to help overcome the destructive mental states that are the source of
much of our misery—mental states such as anger, hatred, greed,
jealousy, discouragement and fear.
Through
the lively conversations between the Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler
recounted in these books, supplemented with engaging stories, case histories,
practical exercises and supporting scientific evidence, the books present strategies
to deal more effectively with the inevitable problems of daily life.
This website pertains to and explores the
essential principles of The Art of Happiness with articles and research on
Neuroscience and Positive Psychology for practical application. It does not
relate to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's history, the Buddhist religion, or the
political situation in Tibet. For more information on those topics please visit
The Dalai Lama official website at:
www.dalailama.com
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