The World's Best Book Summaries
Can you really free yourself from suffering? And if so, what does it take? Suffering is a fact of life, but Buddhists believe that you can attain freedom from suffering. The first step is to change your perspective on suffering: Instead of viewing suffering as inherently bad, look for a silver lining in every situation that makes you suffer. Here are four strategies to free yourself from unnecessary suffering.
Do you practice spirituality? Is it true that people who practice spirituality tend to be happier than those who don’t? There is a strong positive correlation between practicing spirituality and happiness. Studies have shown that those who have spirituality or religion in their lives tend to be happier and less depressed and anxious than those who don’t. Keep reading to learn about the importance of spirituality.
What is happiness at its core? Do you think happiness is a natural human state? According to the Dalai Lama, happiness is not merely an emotional state, but a mental and intellectual one. It’s about being content with your life on all levels. In his book The Art of Happiness (co-authored with Howard C. Cutler), he proposes that all humans should seek out happiness by training themselves to be happy in four different ways. Here is how to cultivate true happiness, according to the spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
How do you deal with anger? Is it ever a good idea to express your anger? According to the Dalai Lama, anger is a destructive emotion that stems from ignorance. If you struggle with anger issues, he counsels, you must first understand where your anger stems from and if it’s justified. Then, use patience and tolerance to neutralize it. You may not be able to completely eradicate it, but you can at least reduce your anger’s potency. Here’s how to deal with anger, according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Do you often feel anxious? What causes anxiety, and how do you overcome it? According to the Dalai Lama, anxiety, like all negative emotions, stems from ignorance. If you struggle with anxiety, educate yourself about where the anxiety comes from and whether it’s valid, recommends the Dalai Lama. Here’s how to deal with anxiety, according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
What are some of the most illuminating quotes from the book Many Lives Many Masters? What succinctly captures the main points and themes? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, Many Lives Many Masters is a fascinating account of an experience that changed the lives of both Weiss and his patients. Continue on to read some of the best Many Lives Many Masters quotes and their context.
What is compassion in Buddhism? How do you cultivate compassion? In Buddhism, compassion—the desire to free others from suffering—is one of the highest virtues you can cultivate. According to the Dalai Lama, the best way to cultivate compassion is to develop empathy—the ability to understand others’ pain as if it was your own. Here’s what His Holiness the Dalai Lama has to say about cultivating the virtue of compassion.
What is the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler’s book The Art of Happiness about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? The Art of Happiness presents the Dalai Lama’s Buddhist approach to achieving greater happiness in life. Happiness, he says, isn’t something that happens to lucky people and eludes the unlucky: It’s something you can—and should—actively work to increase in your life. Here’s our review of The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler.
What is the book Many Lives Many Masters about? What are the main themes brought out in its story? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Though Weiss, like many scientists, is a natural skeptic, his experience with this patient convinced him that there are spiritual “Masters” providing help and guidance from beyond the veil. He claims that the Masters shared messages revolving around four major themes. Read on to learn the four themes you can find in the
What is the Stoic take on suffering? How does subjective perception cause suffering? According to Stoics, suffering is, to a great extent, the result of our inability to see things as they are. In contrast, Stoics view events neutrally—that is, they observe only the facts of any given situation, without judgment. Here is how our inability to see things as they are leads to unnecessary suffering.