"The Art Of Happiness," is a very good book. I didn't appreciate the beauty, and genius behind the thinking of this book, until after I had finished it. While reading, I was most interested, and thought it was very good, but after I had finished the whole thing, I was in a better position to integrate all of the ideas, and see that not only was the book set on a nice premise, but fulfilled its promise - It sets out a clear, achievable, and loving way for people to attain what has become somewhat of a myth to some people: true happiness. I would recommend people read this book at least twice, because there are so many ideas that are portrayed, that they should be absorbed fully. The book has the potential to be a nice first step for many people, myself included. It presents very deep, although sometimes deceptively simple ideas, and the book itself motivates people to be the best they can be. If someone fully integrates the ideas presented into their life, I imagine they would be among a very special few.
The book's form leaves a little to be desired, however. Although mostly effective, the narrative style was sometimes tiresome, it made the flow of the book seem a bit choppy at times, and the reader is subject to some of Cutler's whims, which results in disjoined ideas, and a chapter starting on one premise, and ending on another. That said, the narrative effect is often very effective, and all in all, makes the reader feel more connected with his Holiness.
I was very surprised while reading some of the other reviews of this book. The main complaints were that the book is too simplistic for an avid Buddhist, merely rehashing concepts and ideas they already know, into a more muddled form, and that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was under-utilised, with Howard Cutler being the real writer of the book.
The first complaint, in my mind, if looked at from a slightly different angle, is a bit of a bonus for a non Buddhist, or for new Buddhists. I found that the simplification of some points, and the stripping of a lot of the classic spirituality (such as the concepts in Buddhism of reincarnation etc) to do with Buddhism, made the parts portrayed in this book more effective, more real, and more possible to the average man on the street. Books which are highly accessible, without changing the base message of the higher concepts can be shunned by the establishment, but in fact, should be embraced, as the message will be able to reach, and help, so many more people as a result. This book says itself that it is not a recourse for Buddhist spirituality, and offers a number of books by his Holiness, that are purely on the Buddhist Spiritual practise. If looked at from this way, as a guide for living a happy life, for everybody, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, I think a lot of the disappointments that people have voiced about this book, especially those complaining about its simplicity and lack of attention payed to spiritual matters (although there is a quite large section at the end on how spirituality - any, not just Buddhist spirituality - is more beneficial to ones overall happiness) will dissolve.
The second complaint is a valid Point. This is undeniably Cutler's book, however, that is not in itself negative. I personally found that Cutler's comments, and back up evidence to be invaluable, and persuasive, a very effective way of explaining how some of the Buddhist-type principles His Holiness stated could be stripped to their essentials, and effectively used to help every day people lead a happy life. I think naming His Holiness as the author of this book was misleading, but I was never disappointed. I think the mix of Cutler's Western medical knowledge, and His Holiness' principles of compassion, love and respect was most effective, and all together a lot more self contained than a book on the same subject by each separately. I bought this book for the Dalai Lama's ideas, not specifically because I thought he was the sole writer. Although for the many who may have bought it because they wanted a solid Dalai Lama written book, these pre-conceived expectations would be let down. But I do believe, if they perhaps take the book for what it is, a concise, straight, 'how-to' manual for lack of a better word, they wont be so disappointed, and the fact that the Dalai Lama didn't write it fully won't be such a disappointment.
In all, I would highly recommend this book, just so everyone can make up their own mind, and also, I do believe everyone who reads it will pick up something of value from it.
