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Title: The Art of Happiness at Work by The Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler ISBN: 1-57322-261-5 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 25 August, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.38 (16 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Attitude, interdependence and serving others
Comment: I give this book 3 stars primarily because it could have been "tighter" as a result of more rigorous editing. However, there are good ideas here and they can be engaged immediately.
As the title states, this book is about happiness at work. What are its attributes, what conditions are most important to assure happiness most of the time, how it impacts performance and the other dimensions of life. All, important topics. The book is written in the form of a long conversation between Howard Cutler and The Dalai Lama.
There are a whole host of interesting ideas. For example, the Dalai Lama comenting "By engaging opposition, a deeper understanding of one's own standpoint emerges." Putting a premium on debate to sharpen one's mind and to foster growth and improvement.
But the most powerful elements of this book are the realization that it's wisdom is quite simple in the end. It's simplicity, however, is complex and difficult to execute each and every day. We need a balanced life. A life that recognizes the interdependence between all aspects of our lives (work, family, hobby, meditation time etc.) We must "reduce the gap between who we are and what we do". The things on which we spend time must have meaning and ideally have some connection with creating a "greater good" and service to others.
Most of all, however, a common theme emerges that suggests that the most important aspect of happiness at work (and for that matter in anything) is one's own "attitude" and outlook. How an individual sees the world is the critical aspect in shaping attitude and therefore "happiness". The elements of a positive attitude seem to include a realistic grasp of one's self (self understanding), a desire to serve others, to creatively achieve and contribute, to have confidence in one's own judgment, "right livelihood" ("best to choose work that does not cause harm to others, that does not exploit or deceive others....").
The key is to recognize the fusion between one's self and one's work. They are not separate ideas but one. Moreover, as it relates to happiness, "the primary determinant of one's happiness is the state of one's mind." Attitute, attitude, attitude.
A meaningful contribution even though it could have been shorter and tighter.
Rating: 1
Summary: Sadly 95% filler.
Comment: Howard Cutler's first book with the Dalai Lama, "The Art Of Happiness," was packed with wonderful and accessible teachings from the Dalai Lama. We owe Mr. Cutler much thanks for the work he put into his efforts on his first book when it was not sure thing anyone would either publish or read his collection of interviews with the Dalai Lama.
This new book falls short however. The Dalai Lama doesn't have much of interest to say about the subject in general. Mr. Cutler, in what seems like an ego play, inserts himself into the book at every available opportunity, unlike his first book where he was much more a reporter. The conversations are endlessly boring and sophomoric.
What we do gain is an appreciation of how brilliant a thinker the Dalai Lama is even when he is being hassled by nit picking questions from someone who seems to think there is a sure thing going on. I do hope Mr. Culter gets back on track, becomes a reporter instead of subject, and focuses on topics that are more compatible with the Dalai Lama's keen intelligence.
Or perhaps the interviews have played themselves out and it is time to stop and appreciate the contributions made in the first book.
Rating: 2
Summary: A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...
Comment: THE ART OF HAPPINESS AT WORK by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler falls considerably short of THE ART OF HAPPINESS, the original work by the same authors. In the original book The Dalai Lama provides very interesting views that can be applied to a variety scenarios in life, including the workplace.
Hence, ...HAPPINESS AT WORK is very repetitive of the original and runs the risk of placing someone as illustrious as The Dalai Lama in the position of appearing too much like other marketing-driven authors of the genre who pump out repeats of their original works under other titles like ...FOR THE WORKING SOUL, ...FOR THE GOLFING SOUL, OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES, ...OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TEENAGERS, etc.
After all, if you read the first book by The Dalai Lama you can easily see how his philosophies concerning happiness apply to all walks of life. Stick with THE ART OF HAPPINESS and discover for yourself how it may apply to a variety of your questions regarding your personal happiness...including in the workplace.
Douglas McAllister
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Title: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler ISBN: 1573221112 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective by Dalai Lama, Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Thupten Jinpa, Sonam ISBN: 1559390735 Publisher: Snow Lion Pubns Pub. Date: March, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life by The Dalai Lama, Jeffrey Hopkins ISBN: 0743427084 Publisher: Atria Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: The Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom by Dalai Lama, Bstan-'Dzin-Rgy, Dalai Lama ISBN: 072253955X Publisher: Thorsons Pub Pub. Date: 15 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama by DANIEL GOLEMAN ISBN: 0553801716 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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