5 comments about How To Practice: The Way To A Meaningful Life.

1. An all around good read for anyone looking for some self introspect or not committed to any one particular religion.



2. A very helpful and thought provoking book. A pleasant read that leaves you wanting to learn more. Not overly term-laden. Just enough to help educate you as to the terminorlogy of Buddhism, without being incomprehensible. The wisdom and goodness of the Dalai Lama comes through in every chapter. I feel as if this book is a good starting point for embracing the Buddhist way.



3. I have been studying and practicing Buddhism for over 4o years - I still do not understand it. For Non Tibetans (this excludes most Asians too) - forget about tantras and mantras and all the hocus-pocus! We will never be able to understand it. We may imitate it but we will not live it inside out. It will be best to stick to some simple western (rational!) method of meditation and stick to a good, moral life. It IS that simple. No need to look to the Himalayas for enlightenment - it is right inside you.
   DO not waste time (and life) reading about meditation: Just do it! PRACTICE.



4. www.fpmt.org The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition has home study courses set up with DVDs, books, transcripts and MP3s of lectures given by true Buddhist teachers. It starts with the basics and takes you step by step through such topics as the Mind, Meditation, Death, etc. Each topic is a correspondence course type setup with no obligation to go on, no registration fees, etc. You see the list of what is recommended you buy for each lesson, and you order what you want. Not simply intellectual teaching, this program is also experiential. You PRACTICE Buddhism, from the ground up. Although buying random books in search of information is what most of us do, there is another way. There is this Buddhism for Beginners section, and a formal university setting (or correspondence course) for those who are more advanced in their practice. Go to the website and browse their selection of books, look at the programs offered, and decide for yourself.



5. Very nice and meaningful book, which might help you with day to day inner conflicts and teach you how to find a way out to cope with stress of life.
   The delivery by amazon was right on time as expected.

5 comments about The Thinker's Way : 8 Steps to a Richer Life.

1. I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Upon reading the reviews of others, I noticed a dichotomy. People either REALLY liked it or thought it was too simple. I also noticed that the reviews of the ones advocating its futility were by far SHORTER than the reviews by the "happy campers." While my judgement is, by far, not scientific, I am led to believe that those that thought of it as a simplistic work...simply missed the point. This book is very philosophical while still practical. Chaffee is well informed and "preaches" the virtues of a world where people who want to be informed, live as such. I'll keep my review short and ask you not to read this book like a novel, but, as Chaffee suggests, read it over an extended period of time allowing for the concepts to come to fruition.



2. This book differs from many of the other types of self-help books by dealing only with the "thought" process.

   You can transform yourself through the 8 Steps- 1. Think Critically 2. Live Creatively 3. Choose Freely 4. Solve Problems Effectively 5. Communicate Effectively 6. Analyze Complex Issues 7. Devlop Enlightened Values 8. Think Through Relationships

   The Thinker's Way is a must read if you want to improve yourself in any of the above 8 steps.




3. In fact, its near perfect thickness of 1.25" (hardcover) is perfect for balancing uneven patio furniture.



4. John Chaffee encourages you to reach your full potential as a critical thinker and a creative thinker. He outlines ways you can improve your thinking and decision-making processes. It covers basic background information about the psychology of thought and encourages you to develop a rewarding, well-considered set of beliefs. The author discusses and evaluates stumbling blocks to critical thought, and then offers suggestions and activities for overcoming them. Though it is probably familiar to good communicators and occasionally repetitive, this material provides food for thought especially for those who are new to critical thinking. We [...] recommend this book to those who enjoy self-help books, and who want basic assistance in improving their thinking and communicating skills.



5. The author, John Chaffee, Ph.D., is the Director of the New York Center for Critical Thinking and Language Learning and brings to us many years of research into critical thinking. The result is a book that teaches how to think critically and then apply those skills to everyday situations. The world can be very confusing with the tremendous amount of information thrown at us every day. How do you make a decision or analyze information to see if it is valuable to you or not? This book details how to approach the various challenges of life by thinking clearly. With an eight-step process to critical thinking, he provides information and exercises to get you going in the right direction. Whether attacking problems, dealing with difficult people, deflecting propaganda directed at you or just bettering your life through better decision-making and fewer regrets, the collective knowledge in this text points the way to clear thinking.

1 comments about The Happiness Equation: 100 Factors That Can Add To or Subtract From Your Happiness.

1. An Amazon book search with the keyword "happiness" yields more than 300.000 items nowadays. Many of these publications compete for your attention on the bulging self-help shelves of bookstores. They are generally brightly colored and often contain at least one or preferably several smileys. And most of them have the scientific value of a Spiderman comic book.
   
   "The Happiness Equation" by Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Ilona Boniwell with Tina B. Tessina has the look and feel of just another of these self-help books. In 144 pages, it promises you "100 factors that can add to or substract from your happiness". Just do the math and see how happy you are. Then bring some change in your life by adding some positive factors and getting rid of some of the negative factors. There you are, congratulations, you helped yourself turn into a happier person. All thanks to this wondrous self-help book. Or so it promises.
   
   If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck, right? Not quite. The smaller the print gets in this booklet, the more scientifically correct the information becomes. If you don't just skim the titles but actually take the effort of reading the well-written one-page descriptions of every factor, you get quite an up-to-date and condensed (so obviously not in-depth) overview of the scientific findings on the topic of happiness and positive psychology.
   
   So are you looking for an easy-to-read self-help book on happiness that you can finish in one or two readings? And you don't want to waste your precious time with unscientific quack literature? Then you might want to take up "The Happiness Equation", think away its flashy superficial shell and enjoy the read.

3 comments about Hold That Thought.

1. This journal is a wonderful tool for stepmoms and second wives to jot down their thoughts and emotions when dealing with the complexities of a blended family and remarriage.



2. This journal is an excellent tool for stepmoms and second wives to write down their emotions, thoughts etc..when dealing with the tough issues of being in a second marriage or blended family situation! Highly recommend!



3. If you love Sarah Ban Breathnach, you'll love this. Perfect for a desk top - it offers a daily reminder of how wonderful we are and how to keep ourselves in a positive light.

5 comments about Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

1. Admittedly, there's a lot to digest here. But if you're persistent & "open" enough to "get it", this material can
   really CHANGE your life for the better. I KNOW, because
   it changed mine!



2. All I can say is WOW! This book is unbelievable, and the information in it changed how I think about everything, and how I react.
   
   Since learning about the reactive mind, I can see it instantly in others, and myself. When people get angry, and spew from their mouth things they can't even remember afterwards because it is a 'tape from their mind' from a similar situation that invoked it, this was brilliant. I now watch myself, and correct it much quicker than ever before, and as a result has given me a more peaceful existence. I ran the drills with my husband, and I totally got how it worked, and a major win. We couldn't believe how easy it was to follow the steps, and actually help yourself and others to detect issues, and clear them.
   
   If you want an easy to follow guide that you and a friend or loved one can do to help each other get stronger, healthier, and become a better person, it will be the best money you have ever spent.
   
   Enjoy the journey, I know I am now.



3. I was amazed by the information in this CD. Finally, I found information about the human mind that actually makes sense.
   
   The theory behind it is logical, the process is simple to learn, and the results DO work.
   
   I used what I learned from this with my two sons, and it was amazing. They really enjoyed it, and I notice that they are happier since the Dianetic processing.
   
   I recommend this to EVERYONE.



4. The audio was to the note. It was read like a storybook. This is a major dynamic text. I lisened to it 5 times and then got the book and read along. Very dynamic information - definitely worth the read for the seekers in the world.



5. I read the book as part of the Hubbard Dianetics Course.
   I larned a lot, and did some auditing as well. I also got auditing, which helped tremendously.
   The people who attack it, often have commited some crimes, that they are afraid someone will find out about, or dont want people to get better, and do well in life.
   This book will give you valuble insight into how these people tick, and your own fears, and ups and downs in life.
   Stress is not a treatable malady with dangerous drugs. The drugs will do more harm then good.
   You can find out what causes stress, and do away with it, without harming yourself, or others around you.
   Make sure you clear any misunderstood words, or read the booklet "Technology of Study" by L.Ron Hubbard. Also extremly helpfull, and essential knowledge you can learn about

3 comments about 10 Steps to Loving Your Body (No Matter What Size You Are).

1. As a therapist, I know that the toughest part for most women in their journey to make peace with food is learning how to build a better body image. 10 Steps to Loving Your Body is a fabulous resource for doing just that. Author Pat Ballard offers her own wisdom, along with inspirational quotes from people such as Gilda Radner and Wayner Dyer. One of my favorites: "Begin challenging your assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile or the light won't come in." (Alan Alda)
   
   If you are struggling with weight/body image issues, keep this book on your night stand or in your purse, and open its pages often. It will be like having a kind and gentle best friend with you who wants what's best for you and knows how to help you get there.
   
   The Diet Survivor's Handbook: 60 Lessons in Eating, Acceptance and Self-Care



2. If you're a woman, odds are you're not happy with your body. You probably can't remember when you weren't at war with your belly or your thighs. (Men are beginning to catch up with their own versions of body discontent.) Western culture provides you with a steady stream of images and advice about an often unattainable "right" way to look, feeding your feelings that you just aren't acceptable as you are.
   
   Enter Pat Ballard with 10 Steps to Loving Your Body (No Matter What Size You Are) to supply a badly-needed alternative voice! Ballard's easy-to-read, easy-to-use volume is like having your own personal coach and cheerleader for ending the warfare and making peace with the body you have. She's out in front to show you the way, behind you to nudge you forward, and beside you offering support and encouragement for every step (all 10!) of your journey. She accomplishes this with guidelines (" . . . our bodies know what they want to look like"), worksheets to practice new ways of thinking and behaving (". . .look for 10 good things about [your] body and try to develop them"), and the greatest collection of inspirational quotes for body-love and general self-respect you're likely to find anywhere (for example, from Gloria Steinem, " `Each individual woman's body demands to be accepted on it's own terms.' " or, from an unknown author, "'It's not who you are that holds you back; it's who you think you're not.' ")
   
   10 Steps is your body's best friend in pocket form. I'm delighted to have it on hand to recommend--personally and professionally--to anyone struggling with body image and the inkling that it's better to embrace than fight the one-and-only body you have.



3. This is a quick book to read and has great quotes and great tips for having the positive self-image we all deserve.

3 comments about Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life.

1. This is a wonderful book! It made me cry and laugh at the same time. The author presents adversity not as the end of our lives but as an opportunity to grow and learn. The book is easy to read but at the same time very profound and inspirational. I would recommend it to anyone who is going through difficult times. The book would help people to be joyful in the midst of adversity.



2. This book and all the books from Barbara are wonderful and they really help people with there problems and let you know that no matter what problems you have and they seem bad there is someone out there that has more and more hardship than you. She lets you know about gods unconditional love and grace an how we must keep the faith. They are everyday stories and they are wonderful, funny, and loving.



3. A friend who lost her 26 year old son in a car accident introduced me to Barbara Johnson's books. I just lost my 26 year old daughter in a car accident. The Christian humor is therapeutic. It also helps me realize I'm not the only one in this world who has suffered tragic loss, and is helping me deal with and live with that loss.

5 comments about Growing Up Amish: Insider Secrets from One Woman's Inspirational Journey.

1. This is NOT a story at all. This is just little tidbits about her feeling fat during her time as amish. There was more "lessons on how not to treat your own children this way," than really telling a story about her life. The book was way overpriced and there were Many misspellings.



2. This book was a gift for Mother's Day. It arrived in a timely manor and was in perfect shape. The price was very reasonable and since it was hard to find in book stores locally, was very convenient to be delivered to my home. I buy many books and products from Amazon and will continue to do so. With gas prices as they are, it will be that more and more gifts and personal items will be purchased this way... Thanks. ck



3. i am sorry i wasted my money. it is not worth what i paid for it. very dull and boring



4. I was so disappointed with this book. It reads like she is talking to you in person, complete with grammatical and spelling errors galore. The publisher of this book (Morgan James Publishing) ought to apologize to it's readers. Was there even an editor for this publication?
   
   The layout is worse. The "chapters" are sectioned out with maybe 2-3 pages each. There is no reason to title each area the way that they do. She repeats herself over and over on various subjects & tries to hard to describe her feelings with words she clearly doesn't know how to properly use.
   
   Personally, I want my money back.
   
   If you want a real look into the day to day Amish lifestyle, don't buy this book. Instead, buy Plain Secrets: An Outsider among the Amish by Joe Mackall. Now THAT is an excellent, well written book.



5. I wouldn't waste your time buying this book. I have many books on Amish and other "plain" peoples, and this is one of the worst. Its obvious from page one that she really doesn't understand how to write, or why her Amish family believes in certain things. Don't you buy a book to learn more about what the Amish believe? How are you going to learn from a person that doesn't know either?
   
   Anna Dee Olson grew up Amish. Thats the end of why she wrote a book. Instead of getting a real job, she is trying to pass herself off as a motivational speaker and writer. Its not working.
   
   Bottom line, buy a different book. Something that is both interesting and informative. This book is neither.

5 comments about The Trail toTranquility: Your Personal Guide to Overcoming Anger And to Attaining Genuine Inner Peace.

1. This is really a great book. Everyone should read it. I've read a ton of self-help and spirituality books, and this is a really unique book, there's really nothing else like it. Although he doesn't present it as such, it's basically an authentic introduction to Hassidic Jewish self-improvement philosophy, translated into everyday language and accessible to everyone, regardless of religion or lack thereof. If you follow its advice, it will really make a difference in your life. Buy it here or on the publisher's website, where you can buy an electronic copy for much less. You can read the author's blog at lazerbrody.typepad.com.



2. This book helps. It is written for the modern man who needs more spirituality but doesn t know what to do to attain it.
   The author of this book a very human rabbi explains with very beautiful words how to be happier in life and how to feel better in spite of your failures, disapointments and suffering.
   It is a book which helps to find peace inside, if you follow it step by step. It helps also to find G-d. The writor did a very original and efficient book very different from most of the books of this type. I love it. Buy it you won t be disapointed.



3. I originally bought this book as a present for a relative with a stress problem. It worked wonders: The $25 investment has saved them thousands on analysis and pills. I then bought a copy for myself, and read it in one sitting on a flight from NY to LA. I used to consider myself a reasonably emotionally healthy person, but The Trail to Tranquility has made me umpteen times more happier with myself, and more at ease with others. I'm now reading it for the third time, and enjoying it even more. This book is a must!



4. Lazer Brody is extremely gifted in his way of presenting and tackling a topic that is very complex. What I like about this book is that it reaches every religion and has some excellent advice, and the way it is written is very unique from other books.



5. The advise and wisdom in this book has made a big difference in my life. Highly recommended.

5 comments about The Art of Happiness at Work.

1. After much success with his first book in collaboration with the Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness, Howard Cutler decided to write another book. In this book Cutler wanted to explore some ideas and topics not touched upon in the first one. Namely, since work takes up an overwhelming amount of the day for most people, how can we find happiness at work? After all, most of us cannot sit around all day in a cave without venturing out into the real world. If we have no practical way to take our spiritual practice into the real world then what good is it?
   
   The first thing that becomes readily apparent to the reader is that the Dalai Lama feels that cultivating inner values contributes to the greatest possibility of being happy at work. Obviously if you have a bitter attitude about work it doesn't matter what type of career you have you are probably going to be dissatisfied. Also, cultivating inner values like compassion and kindness can help you get along with other co-workers and this contributes to happiness as well.
   
   Later in the book other topics are brought up which are rendered as conversations that took place between Cutler and the Dalai Lama. After these conversations end Cutler usually provides his own commentary about them as the chapter ends. Some of the topics are; making money, work boredom, job career and calling, right livelihood. Many of the practical suggestions center around maintaining an optimistic outlook, calm mind, and a realistic perspective. For instance, having your self-identity tied up with the money you make is not a realistic perspective. You are not your money and what happens if you suddenly stop making money. You are all of a sudden a worthless person because you no longer have a high income? So a realistic perspective is crucial. The Dalai Lama encourages us to even take jobs that pay less money but that leave for more time to spend with family, friends, and doing things we enjoy. It's hard to be happy when you are a slave to work.
   
   Many of the other suggestions in the book I felt centered around common-sense objectives. For instance, have a self-understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so you won't be devastated if you are not great at certain aspects of your job. Also, try to do your job with a sense of meaningfulness and skill so you gain a feeling of satisfaction from doing a good job.
   
   Despite this book having a fair amount of good advice for all of us I did find myself becoming a bit bored with it. Some of the conversations seemed to ramble on and became somewhat monotonous. I think if some of the more redundant conversations were cleaned up a bit it would have been a better read. Nevertheless, it's still enjoyable for the most part as most books concerning the Dalai Lama with his practical advice and good attitude tend to be.



2. The Dalai Lama encourages the daily grind to become peaceful. Good for those with stressful positions.



3. Once again Dr. Cutler and the publishers have listed the Dalai Lama as first author although this book like the previous one was written by Cutler and not the Dalai Lama. As in his other book, Cutler uses some quotations from the Dalai Lama sprinkled thinly through the book to justify the listed authorship. Buyer beware. There are many other excellent books actually written by the Dalai Lama.



4. I have read quite a few books by the Dalai Lama and/or co-written by the Dalai Lama and, unfortunately, this is my least favorite.
   
   The majority of the book focuses on common sense ways to find happiness at work: such as finding balance between challenge and capabilities and having oulets outside of work for your happiness. This being said the best readers of this book would be employers. Employers could certainly read some of the actual complaints and studies about workplace satisfaction to try and improve working conditions.
   
   Besides my feeling that this would be an interesting read for anyone in management, I can not highly recommonend this book which is disappointing.



5. This book resulted from an earlier work, The Art of Happiness, written by the same authors which took a more global look at the issue of happiness. Why look at the issue of happiness at work? A 2005 study by the Gallup Organization shows that just 20% of us are passionate about the work we do. A terrible statistic given that we spend at least one-third (and in many cases much more) of our day working.
   
   I picked-up this book because much of my work as a consultive coach revolves around the arenas of worksite wellness and life-work integration, both of which are impacted by one's level of happiness. While this book does have some challenges, overall, I was not disappointed. For each of the topics presented, I liked how the book integrated Western psychological research and thinking with Eastern Buddhist philosophy.
   
   This book clearly has a big picture - high level type of focus. If you are looking for daily practical tips and advice as to how to be happier at work, you will be disappointed by this book. If you are interested in learning about an overall happiness framework you can use to guide your life's journey towards a greater level of happiness, then I believe you will find the book valuable.
   
   I found the book to have two challenges:
   1. The book does drag along at times
   2. I sometimes found it difficult to determine which of the authors was speaking. Was it the Dalai Lama or Dr. Cutler?