Title: Insight -- Case Files from the Psychic World Author: Sylvie Browne Summary: An exploration of a psychic's 50 years in the business as she works on issues of love, relationships, finances, law, spiritual issues (the Other Side as she puts it), and crime. Here we not only get case histories, but a narrative displaying her development as a person with special abilities. Appeal: She appears on Montel frequently, so her appeal is very populist. The writing is not very compelling, so the reader would have to have a special interest in the subject matter. Who I Would Recommend This To: Older fans of supernatural, mysteries, and those with an interest in exploring "the Other Side."
Brief Summary: Why are we here? What's the meaning of existence? What matters the most in life? Hollis, a Jungian, won't tell you --because he doesn't know your answer -- but he will help you get there yourself. It's not an easy or simple path to follow -- no bromides or cliches here -- he's an intellectual, and writes on a higher level than most authors in this genre.
Comments on appeal: not for the usual self-help asnwer-book audience, but great for the serious seeker
Who would I recommend it to: wonderers, seekers, thoughtful souls
Title: The Art of Happiness: A handbook for living Author: His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
Brief Summary: An American psychiatrist explores the Dalai Lama’s teachings on happiness as they contrast with and fit into Western psychiatric approaches (or lack thereof) to personal happiness. Using the Dalai Lama’s public addresses as well as years of personal interviews, the author surveys the Tibetan Buddhist approach to happiness and how an American audience can practically apply it to our lives—without focusing strictly on Buddhist spiritual practice or structuring it like a self-help book. The book discusses systematically training the mind for the cultivation of positive mental states such as compassion and gentleness, as well as dealing with suffering and overcoming obstacles.
Comments on Appeal: The transcriptions of the Dalai Lama’s talks and interviews are generally more interesting than the author’s discussions. It starts out a little more clinical and removed, but about halfway through the book, the author’s discussions of the Dalai Lama’s teachings become more practicable.
Recommend to: people interested in learning more about the Dalai Lama’s teachings; someone in the market for a self-help book about happiness or overcoming suffering, and who wouldn’t be turned off by the Eastern spiritual influence
Title: The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World by the Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutler, MD
This is the third in a series of books by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, beginning with the bestselling The Art of Happiness: a handbook for living and continuing with the The Art of Happiness at Work.
Brief Summary: Cutler, an American psychiatrist spent a significant amount of time interviewing the Dalai Lama for this book. It highlights broader societal issues and touches the issues of prejudice, racism, terrorism, violence, fear and more. Also, there is a conversation about “Individualism” and “Collectivism.” In that, he says that the American society focuses more on “Individualism” and Tibetan and Asian societies stress the value of “Collectivism.” According to the author, many European countries have a spirit of cooperation. The “Map of World Happiness” studies show that Denmark was rated #1 in happiness, Switzerland #2 and Sweden came in #7.
The Dalai Lama discusses various strategies to overcome many factors, such as prejudice, hatred, conflict, and violence, which stem from a dualistic “us versus them” perspective. Strategies included here are: personal contact, education, and seeing others as individuals. “Don’t look at the differences between you and ‘them’ just find some commonalities or middle ground,” says the Dalai Lama.
Comments on Appeal: I also found the first couple of chapters to be dry but later chapters grabbed my attention. Unlike the two previous books in this series, this one is more scientific rather than spiritual. The subject matter is certainly thought-provoking and uplifting.
Who Do I Recommend It To: Those who want to learn about Buddhist tradition and overcome prejudice, racism, violence fear and more. Similar titles that you may enjoy are: It’s Easier Than Your Think: the Buddhist way to happiness by Sylvia Boorstein, Faith: trusting your own deepest experience by Sharon Salzberg.
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
After traveling through early life filled with alcohol, drugs, and sex, the author finds faith. She consistently tries to find meaning in the actions of everyday life. There's faith and religion in this book, but it's not preachy. Very well written, thoughtful, humorous.
Appeal: OPPL has it categorized in 248, but it just as easily belongs in memoir. Though not a self-help book, it would be good for people who do have to overcome life's disappointments and tragedies.
Recommend to: Though Lamott does belong to a church, this book would also be good for those who say they are "spiritual, but not religious."
Title: Insight -- Case Files from the Psychic World
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Sylvie Browne
Summary: An exploration of a psychic's 50 years in the business as she works on issues of love, relationships, finances, law, spiritual issues (the Other Side as she puts it), and crime. Here we not only get case histories, but a narrative displaying her development as a person with special abilities.
Appeal: She appears on Montel frequently, so her appeal is very populist. The writing is not very compelling, so the reader would have to have a special interest in the subject matter.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Older fans of supernatural, mysteries, and those with an interest in exploring "the Other Side."
Book Title: What Matters Most
ReplyDeleteBrief Summary: Why are we here? What's the meaning of existence? What matters the most in life? Hollis, a Jungian, won't tell you --because he doesn't know your answer -- but he will help you get there yourself. It's not an easy or simple path to follow -- no bromides or cliches here -- he's an intellectual, and writes on a higher level than most authors in this genre.
Comments on appeal: not for the usual self-help asnwer-book audience, but great for the serious seeker
Who would I recommend it to: wonderers, seekers, thoughtful souls
Title: The Art of Happiness: A handbook for living
ReplyDeleteAuthor: His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
Brief Summary: An American psychiatrist explores the Dalai Lama’s teachings on happiness as they contrast with and fit into Western psychiatric approaches (or lack thereof) to personal happiness. Using the Dalai Lama’s public addresses as well as years of personal interviews, the author surveys the Tibetan Buddhist approach to happiness and how an American audience can practically apply it to our lives—without focusing strictly on Buddhist spiritual practice or structuring it like a self-help book. The book discusses systematically training the mind for the cultivation of positive mental states such as compassion and gentleness, as well as dealing with suffering and overcoming obstacles.
Comments on Appeal: The transcriptions of the Dalai Lama’s talks and interviews are generally more interesting than the author’s discussions. It starts out a little more clinical and removed, but about halfway through the book, the author’s discussions of the Dalai Lama’s teachings become more practicable.
Recommend to: people interested in learning more about the Dalai Lama’s teachings; someone in the market for a self-help book about happiness or overcoming suffering, and who wouldn’t be turned off by the Eastern spiritual influence
Title: The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World by the Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutler, MD
ReplyDeleteThis is the third in a series of books by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, beginning with the bestselling The Art of Happiness: a handbook for living and continuing with the The Art of Happiness at Work.
Brief Summary: Cutler, an American psychiatrist spent a significant amount of time interviewing the Dalai Lama for this book. It highlights broader societal issues and touches the issues of prejudice, racism, terrorism, violence, fear and more. Also, there is a conversation about “Individualism” and “Collectivism.” In that, he says that the American society focuses more on “Individualism” and Tibetan and Asian societies stress the value of “Collectivism.” According to the author, many European countries have a spirit of cooperation. The “Map of World Happiness” studies show that Denmark was rated #1 in happiness, Switzerland #2 and Sweden came in #7.
The Dalai Lama discusses various strategies to overcome many factors, such as prejudice, hatred, conflict, and violence, which stem from a dualistic “us versus them” perspective. Strategies included here are: personal contact, education, and seeing others as individuals. “Don’t look at the differences between you and ‘them’ just find some commonalities or middle ground,” says the Dalai Lama.
Comments on Appeal: I also found the first couple of chapters to be dry but later chapters grabbed my attention. Unlike the two previous books in this series, this one is more scientific rather than spiritual. The subject matter is certainly thought-provoking and uplifting.
Who Do I Recommend It To: Those who want to learn about Buddhist tradition and overcome prejudice, racism, violence fear and more. Similar titles that you may enjoy are: It’s Easier Than Your Think: the Buddhist way to happiness by Sylvia Boorstein, Faith: trusting your own deepest experience by Sharon Salzberg.
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
ReplyDeleteAfter traveling through early life filled with alcohol, drugs, and sex, the author finds faith. She consistently tries to find meaning in the actions of everyday life. There's faith and religion in this book, but it's not preachy. Very well written, thoughtful, humorous.
Appeal: OPPL has it categorized in 248, but it just as easily belongs in memoir. Though not a self-help book, it would be good for people who do have to overcome life's disappointments and tragedies.
Recommend to: Though Lamott does belong to a church, this book would also be good for those who say they are "spiritual, but not religious."