How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life

The first is external. By obtaining better clothes, better shelter, and better friends we can find a certain measure of happiness and satisfaction. The second is through mental development, which yields inner happiness. However, these two approaches are not equally viable. External happiness cannot last long without its counterpart.... However, if you have peace of mind you can find happiness even under the most difficult circumstances.

Just to give you an idea of what is in this work, I would like to share an excerpt from the Introduction with you:

"I believe that the practice of compassion and love-a genuine sense of brotherhood and sisterhood-is the universal religion. It does not matter whether you are Buddhist or Christian, Moslem or Hindu, or whether you practice religion at all. What matters is your feeling of oneness with humankind."

This, for me, sums up what our practice is all about. Instead of focusing only on our differences, we should always strive toward finding common ground. To go further, this snip actually expresses how this book is really for anyone. The Dalai Lama doesn't make it a secret that he wrote this book for Buddhist practitioners, yet also points out it is really for anyone in pursuit of "happiness."

Truly, it's a good book. The further you read in, the more you get out. Please enjoy this book, it's a sure winner!


An Owner's Manual for a Happy Life   December 31, 2003
louienapoli (Chicago)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I'm a newcomer to Buddhism, particularly the Tibetan kind, and this book is a terrific point of entry. In prose that is wonderfully clear, the Dalai Lama explains the fundamentals in theory and practice. Everything is concise, logical, and practical. Not everything is easy--particularly the part about having compassion for one's enemies--but it all makes complete sense. You also get a sense of the Dalai Lama's enormous warmth and wisdom, which inform every sentence. It's brief, clear, persuasive, user-friendly and useful.


Not much different from other intros to Buddhism   October 25, 2003
S. Park (Palo Alto, CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Given the title of the book I wished to find practical advice. I did indeed find some, but they were not as detailed or as personal (Dalai Lama-specific) as I wanted them to be.

The book consists of six chapters. In the first his holiness describes what he considers steps to enlightenment, viz. via equipping oneself with sound morality, practicing meditation, and then cultivating wisdom. These three practices are explored independently in separate subsequent chapters, followed by a succinct chapter on Tantra, and a final chapter that summarizes what had already been written. The style of exposition takes form of annotations on fundamental Buddhism constructs. Conspicuously lacking were technical details on how to meditate, how to practice Tantra (for e.g. how to breathe, what is good posture).

What I enjoyed most were the brief anecdotes. Most of them had to do with how through observances over other practitioners his holiness gained insight. Other parts (the majority of the book) read much like any other introductory Buddhism text.


Not as good as some others   August 24, 2003
Marilyn Sullivan (Nazareth, PA USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I seem to be the one dissenting opinion, but I have read almost everything written by and about His Holiness, and this is definitely the one I would recommend last. I felt it lacked the down-to-earth quality that I usually find in his work, that it included a lot of unnecessary detail and that listening to the cd was tedious and lifeless. Experienced practitioners will already be familiar with the information presented here, and those new to Tibetan Buddhism can find much more dynamic and practical presentations than this one (e.g. Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart; Path to Tranquility; Ethics for the New MIllenium, etc.)


Great wisdom but more religious and less pragmatic   August 18, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The Dalai Lama undeniably is a learned scholar with gifts of human compassion and critical thinking. This book is a good introduction to Buddhist thinking and the Dalai Lama's philosophies.

I purchased this book looking for ways to improve my own happiness, better understand the person I wanted to be, and provide a frame of reference for some of the more difficult life decisions. In this respect, I found the book less pragmatic and more educational about the foundations and beliefs of Buddhism.

Despite great discussion of the value of meditation and of subjects to meditate on, the section on the mechanics of meditation was very short. There were also many sections that I needed to reread because of the broad use of words found in spiritual practice but rarely in daily life (inherent existence, enlightenment, impermanence, obstructions to omniscience, afflictive emotions, etc.). It's definately a book that you get more out of by re-reading and slowly contemplating its elements.

As I read it, there were lots of 'what if' situational questions that came out seemingly contrary to some of the jewels of wisdom. This book does not provide those kinds of practical answers. It does, however, provide more insights into Buddhist beliefs of reincarnation and philosophies regarding how life is defined by suffering.

Of the Dalai Lama's titles, I think "The Art of Happiness" is a more pragmatic read, while "How to Practice" spoon feeds you less and challenges your spiritual beliefs more.