What is the one thing everyone wants? Happiness. But where do we find it? For the past number of years, French Buddhist monk and former cell biologist Matthieu Ricard has been working with scientists and Buddhist meditators to find out. "Happiness is not something you seek, but rather it is a skill you develop." On Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill, he merges the newest scientific research with traditional Buddhist teachings and contemporary Western philosophy to show us how unexpectedly attainable happiness is. Here, listeners join Ricard on audio to learn more about: * How to use mind training to cultivate sukha--a blissful state of being that arises when we release ourselves from mental blindness and afflictive emotions * Ethics: how this perennial field of philosophy sheds light on the "science of happiness" * Guided imagery to relieve pain--both emotional and physical * How to transcend the ego and time to enter "the state of flow" * Exercises to exchange suffering for happiness not only for ourselves, but for all of the world and more. When first published in France, Matthieu Ricard's Happiness sold over 80,000 copies in the first month of its release. This may be just the first glimmer of interest, as evidence grows of the profound and measurable effects of inner well-being on our bodies and minds, and as we continue to reach for the state of being that transcends all circumstances and emotions--happiness.
Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
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From Publishers Weekly
For millennia, philosophers, writers and artists have sought the key to human happiness. A Buddhist monk and former cell biologist, Ricard offers his own musings about the nature of happiness and tips on how to attain it in his sometimes tedious, sometimes dynamic guide. Happiness, for Ricard, cannot be found in fleeting experiences of pleasure—the joy of a sunny day, the refreshing taste of an ice cream cone, the ecstasy of sex—but only in the depths of an individual's being. Happiness is not self-interested, but rather compassionate, seeking the well-being of others. If we are truly happy, writes Ricard, we can change the world because of our compassion for others and our desire to end hatred and bring happiness even to those we don't like. For Ricard, happiness is a deep state of well-being and wisdom that flourishes in every moment of life, despite the inevitability of suffering. Individuals can, however, learn to minimize suffering in life by practicing moderation in all things, as well as meditation. Meditative exercises that individuals can practice to achieve happiness appear in each chapter. Ricard (Tibet: A Compassionate Eye) doesn't have much new to tell us about his subject, but he imbues these reflections with his own deep sense of happiness and verve. (Apr. 12)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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'In a brilliant synthesis of 25 centuries of the wisdom of Buddhism with the neuroscience and cognitive psychology of the twenty- first century, Matthieu Ricard, who embodies both traditions, gives humanity a gift it desperately needs now: a vision of a po
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By sculley
Format:Paperback
I cannot more highly recommend this book. It begins with an examination of what happiness is and more importantly what it is not; it is quite thorough. It goes on to discuss how it is that we can cultivate happiness through meditation, altruism, and an optimistic (vs. pessimistic) viewpoint. Richard draws heavily upon Buddhism, but does not limit himself to it. He draws upon other religious traditions and thinkers, science, and philosophy as the book progresses. For this reason, it may at point be more "intellectual" than some may enjoy, but nonetheless, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in bettering themselves and the world we live in. By the end of the book I came to realize that, for all of my spiritual development over the past few years, I still suffer from pride, envy and wrath/anger/hatred a lot of the time. I also realized that I've spent much of my life mired in a pessimistic outlook, even though I always thought of myself as a "realist" or an optimist in many situations. This book has provided me with a determination to change for the better.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By annelid
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book. He talks about happiness from many different perspectives and philosophies. I learned a few things I didn't know and I felt up-lifted after reading it. Enjoy. If you like this you may like "When Things Fall Apart".
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ann Norris
Format:Paperback
Love this book and often share it with friends, I've bought quite a few copies over the years. Ricard is very supportive and gentle in his approach to encouraging self acceptance, growth and happiness.
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