Zen and the Art of Happiness

The title of this book is very misleading.This book belongs in the "Self Help" category. A waste of money.

This is a book I feel everyone should have in their library (I purchased a copy for each of my family members for Christmas)! The concept that whatever happens to you is for the best may be a lot to take in and have some people rolling their eyes; but, in the end the book helps the reader to come to see the truth in the concept. I have found a greater inner peace and happiness since reading this book and I hope others will too.

Happiness can be a fickle thing. It can be a snug, magnetic garment, attracting more and more of the same, or it can be an ill-fitting gossamer veil flitting here and there. It all depends on one's psychology, karma, and attitude. This wonderful little book shows that we can overcome the obstacles to happiness. It's for those who want and need change--in expectations, habits, and outlook. Chris Prentiss writes with a joie de vivre that obviously comes from experience. Use his practical wisdom to get in the habit of being happy--every day. Put this book by your bedside and the Zen of happiness can be yours." William House[...]

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful: Powerful--how to wake up and become aware, October 20, 2007 By Nigel J. Yorwerth "Publishing coach" (Bozeman, MT) - See all my reviews This is a simple but powerful book that will change the way you look at life. Zen and the Art of Happiness takes happiness and consciousness to a whole new level. And now it is in a beautiful hardcover gift edition. I am aware that this book has been compared to The Secret. There is a similarity in that they both teach the reader how to change his or her approach to life for the better but the similarity ends there. This is not a book about how to get more "stuff". I have read Zen and the Art of Happiness more than once and think that what it teaches is quite different and far more powerful than The Secret. The Secret, as a book, was essentially the transcript of the DVD. I preferred the DVD where a number of spokesmen described their powerful successes using the Law of Attraction. This will bring positive results for readers but the Zen book and its shrewd insights will take the reader to a brand new level of awareness that will bring them happiness. It is profound. As D.T. Suzuki, the Japanese scholar and leading spokesman of Zen in mid-twentieth century America, said of Zen, "It merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points". Zen and the Art of Happiness gives you simple but profound keys that will help you change your life. If you read it with an open heart it will truly help you find happiness. Help other customers find the most help

This is a simple but powerful book that will change the way you look at life. Zen and the Art of Happiness takes happiness and consciousness to a whole new level. I am aware that this book has been compared to The Secret. There is a similarity in that they both teach the reader how to change his or her approach to life for the better but the similarity ends there. This is not a book about how to get more "stuff". I have read Zen and the Art of Happiness more than once and think that what it teaches is quite different and far more powerful than The Secret. The Secret, as a book, was essentially the transcript of the DVD. I preferred the DVD where a number of spokesmen described their powerful successes using the Law of Attraction. This will bring positive results for readers but the Zen book and its shrewd insights will take the reader to a brand new level of awareness that will bring them happiness. It is profound. As D.T. Suzuki, the Japanese scholar and leading spokesman of Zen in mid-twentieth century America, said of Zen, "It merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points". Zen and the Art of Happiness gives you simple but profound keys that will help you change your life. If you read it with an open heart it will truly help you find happiness.

I've read many, many books on Zen and the way of happiness...but this one is the best I've ever read. And the beauty of it is that it makes it very simple, straight to the point, and tells you the way to achieve real happiness in life. I've recommended it to many people and still re-read it every few months. The simplicity of it is very powerful and it has the potential to really change one's own life.