A few days before leaving for Dharamsala, I had dinner with some friends who were both in the software industry and worked for large corporations. Anywhere between 8-11 hours per day are work related, not counting the tarvel time to and from the office which could add an additional 1-3 hours to the total depending on where one lives and the commute. I knew nothing at this age although I thought I did. It spent nearly two years on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold well over a million copies in hardcover. But I've noticed that there the sense of satisfaction they derive from their job is much stronger and also they are more committed. Unfortunately theres an American psychologist interviewing the Dalai Lama throughout the book and who often makes his own observations which aren't anywhere near as on-the-mark as the Dalai Lama and quite unnessasary but I can forgive the books faults simply because the Dalai Lama really does hit the nail on the head every time. They had made the arduous journey across the Himalayas by any means of conveyance they could find, lucky if they could afford a ride on an antediluvian bus, but more likely to have caught a lift, riding in the open bed of a shuddering pickup truck. But then she told me, 'When I go to bed, I'm thinking that if I make the effort, happiness is within my reach, genuine happiness is out there waiting for me. Too much overload is simply a lack of concern, lack of respect. How ridciculous. Thankfully, the conversations between the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler on this subject and others will continue in more books to come. Following the massive success of THE ART OF HAPPINESS, the Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler now bring their bestselling message to our working lives. Now how many of us like our jobs? "Let's take the example of a prisoner. Lately I've been struggling with the "what do I really want to do with my life" question as well as the "I have to do something more meanigful and enjoyable than this." He laughed. If you enjoyed reading this article, please help spread "The Art of Happiness" philosophy by giving a copy to any of your friends, family, and colleagues who you feel would benefit from it. To those who actually read this book I hope to hear from you. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages that interest you. And if a boss gives more work to do and it is beyond their capacity, then I think they have to say something. Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. He offered them all, young and old, words of hope and encouragement, as well as hardheaded practical advice, ranging from "Education is critical to success" to "Now you men should be careful of going with prostitutes-you could catch a disease." That's our main task." His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our meetings were far from chatty t-te-²-t-tes, however. meaning specifically, 'What kind of work do you do? The concept of work overload isn't some obscure American custom, or even something unique to Western culture. This book is worse than the first one. Fast, FREE delivery, video streaming, music, and much more. "Sometimes we forget that. And this type of environment creates the conditions for all kinds of inequities, unfairness, stress for the employees, and so on. They spent most of the dinner sitting around complaining about their jobs. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. "Why is that?" So much so that just the thought of Sunday night knowing that you have to go to "that place" literally makes you sick? But I failed to understand why he didn't get it. How many of us hate our jobs? This is very refreshing and lends a greater value to his advice. It may seem strange in a business ethics class to discuss the work of such a person but I think that it is certainly relevant to discuss happiness at work! And even if somebody is in prison, with very rigid rules, they can undertake some spiritual practices to try to lessen their mental frustrations, try to get some peace of mind. "Millions of people are subjected to various forms of unfairness, isn't it? This is always the reality. "And your job is to learn and memorize certain texts, so let's say your boss gives you a text that you need to memorize by next week. Have a seemingly dead-end job? Please try your request again later. "This kind of thing occurs, for example, in the Tibetan community here in India. "I understand." "Of course it will vary from individual to individual how one emotionally and psychologically responds, and it also depends upon the nature of work and the nature of the company," he reminded me. All in all, excellent practical advice. And in each place he visited, he met with local Tibetan refugees struggling to make a life and prosper in their new country. By looking at the evidence. We've probably all been there at one time or another, some still there right now. The Art of Happiness At Work by the Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D., copyright © 2003 the Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, published by Riverhead Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., all rights reserved, reprinted with permission from the publisher.". "Another way to build contentment, for example, is simply to reflect on how fortunate one is to have the work, how there are many people unable to get any kind of work. "Do they get fired?" As miserable as some people might be, for many there is a kind of perverse pleasure in the self-righteous indignation one feels when one is treated unfairly. Then I had to get up very early before my attendants arrived and even when my attendants had left, late into the evening I had to read and memorize. In view of that, how can we maintain a feeling of calmness and inner satisfaction in an environment that is focused only on production and profit?" Like in the Tibetan case, we're honest, we're not anti-Chinese, but the Chinese falsely accuse us of things and engage in bullying tactics in Tibet. One should take some action." Good." Especially, I think, in ours. "That's right," said the Dalai Lama. Riverhead $24.95 (224p) ISBN 978-1-57322-261 … asked the Dalai Lama. But if that fails, then instead of frustration, or becoming angry focusing only on the thought, I tried but I wasn't able to make it-then think, O.K., I'll carry on with this work. The book deals with many important aspects of our modern way of work, such as satisfaction, motivation, productivity, the need of balance between boredom and challenge, or interdependence. They had no sense of autonomy, no freedom to do their work in their own way. An instant later the electricity went off, an almost daily occurrence during this season in Dharamsala. Now here, it's difficult to get satisfaction. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and tireless advocate for world peace and human rights, he gave public addresses to tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands. The teachings in that book have stayed with me ever since (2000) and I still try to incorporate them into my daily life. Sincerely, muzikman3161@yahoo.com. Probably a small number. "Well, in today's world, exploitation certainly goes on," I agreed. "So there are many factors to take into account. Please try again later. So, it depends." However, there are good ideas here and they can be engaged immediately. Oh yeah? I'm tired of self-help books that tell the reader what to think not allowing him to formulate his own opinion. This book is a waste of time. "So," he continued, "I think through our own efforts, through cultivating a wider perspective, I think it is possible to become more content with our work." Howard C. Cutler, M.D., is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I give this book 3 stars primarily because it could have been "tighter" as a result of more rigorous editing. The Dalai Lama generally scheduled our meetings for his last appointment of the day, so as I loitered in the attached reception room waiting for our meeting to begin, I often had the opportunity to observe the collection of individuals who came to meet with him. Shouldn't we truly enjoy what we do during this time? There may be some people who are upset with the Tibetan government in exile, always complaining. "So, instead of just complaining and complaining, or directing your anger to a particular boss, in that type of situation, with your realization of the wider, more fundamental causes of the problem, it would be better if you redirected your thoughts. Which, in his unique style, begins with developing a greater clearer understanding of ourselves and our individual skills. The Art of Happiness at Work (Book) : Bstan-'dzin-rgya-mtsho : From the authors who brought you the million-copy bestseller The Art of Happiness comes an exploration of job, career, and finding the ultimate happiness at work. Otherwise, you will remain unhappy at work and in your life." If not, although it is always easy or quick, it is still possible to be happy at work through reshaping our attitudes and outlook, through inner training. They resented the fact that not only didn't they have any control over the kind of work they are required to do, they couldn't even choose how to go about doing it. "Any general suggestions?" In fact, I've heard that there is a program here in India where prisoners are being taught meditation. © 2008-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, His Holiness the Dalia Lama and Howard C. Cutler. There are all sorts of things that can make a person miserable at work: poor social atmosphere, lack of recognition, not enough variety, and other things. "Well," he laughed, "in that case, I would probably say, 'I just look after myself, just take care of myself.'" For anyone... Are you struggling to climb the corporate ladder? It is not burn out, which I assume contributes greatly to the condition, but a realization that there is more to this precious life then work, making money for someone else and having nothing to show for it except a nice house a fat mortgage. If you buy only one book this year: buy this one! "But that kind of situation or attitude may not apply to everybody," I pointed out. In instances where the worker might be exploited, where the employer thinks of nothing but profit and pays a small salary and demands a lot of overtime, or where one may be asked to do things that are not appropriate or are unethical, one should not simply think, Well, this is my karma, and take no action. We may find help from our belief systems, whether we believe in karma or in God, but we can also use our human intelligence to analyze the situation and to see it from a different perspective. If they want to continue to enjoy eating that fruit, they have to accept the little bit of sourness in it. He did nothing? To see if there truly are answers to these questions and can we do more than just earn a paycheck for someone else, someone who can use us and fire us at the drop of a hat. Read More. You suffer. I do nothing." It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. In summary one of those books you read and then walk away with something. So, don't keep thinking about the work you don't have. "O.K. What's your job?' And here we are, making life altering decisions, mostly on our own? Lately I've been struggling with the "what do I really want to do with my life" question as well as the "I have to do something more meanigful and enjoyable than this." 'The art of happiness at work' is a compilation of conversations between HH Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutler on how to be happy at work. One of the best books ever, I’m reading it for the second time as every sentence is full of wisdom. By examining whether we're permanently happier from the last promotion we received or looking at people we know to see if those in a higher position are genuinely happier than those in a lower position. In response to my blank stare, he repeated himself. --from No Kindle device required. These kinds of things, lines of reasoning, can diffuse your frustration and disturbance of mind. She was tremendously inspired by your words, and she said that when she read it she felt it was really possible to be happy. "And if that doesn't work?" This is a great read, particularly if you are one of those people (like I am) who has been frustrated about what kind of work is the most fulfilling. Thinking about this as I began our session, I said, "You know, I couldn't help but notice how many different kinds of people come to see you, people with various professions, all sorts of jobs. NO highlighting or underlining. The teachings in that book have stayed with me ever since (2000) and I still try to incorporate them into my daily life. Let me give you an example of a friend of mine. Have a seemingly dead-end job? ‎ Following the massive success of The Art of Happiness , the Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler now bring their bestselling message to our working lives. The Art of Happiness at Work (Book) : Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho : Penguin PutnamFrom the authors who brought you the million-copy bestseller The Art of Happiness comes an exploration of job, career, and finding the ultimate happiness at work.It spent nearly two years on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold well over a million copies in hardcover. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2012. "But then this is something that with extra attention and energy, it's something I could achieve. You can't separate the sweet from the sour in that piece of fruit; it is always going to be mixed. The Dalai Lama looked puzzled. Not by a long shot. I've been a bit stressed out at work lately for one reason or another and reading this book really put my problems into perspective. So, perhaps that would help. Even the modest furniture appeared to be the same, although it's possible the sofa may have been reupholstered. Under such circumstances you might think, Oh, here's an opportunity to do something good for society. "So, what I'm wondering about is a general approach to work overload, which is actually one of the other common sources of work dissatisfaction." And the minute I step into the office, everything changes-I have to deal with the pressures, the demands, my boss is a jerk, and I can't stand my co-workers. This book taught the importance of "looking within" and of controlling destructive emotions in living a good life and finding happiness. Anywhere between 8-11 hours per day are work related, not counting the tarvel time to and from the office which could add an additional 1-3 hours to the total depending on where one lives and the commute. "Then, revolt! And yet not a single meeting or event on this tour was initiated at his own request-all were based on invitations from others. The Art of Happiness at Work: Dalai Lama, Cutler, Howard C: Books - Amazon.ca. But my country, America, was built on personal initiative. "That's right," he affirmed. Transforming Dissatisfaction At Work Similarly, in the work environment, if there is a lot of injustice and exploitation, then to passively tolerate it is the wrong response. Some had crossed the rugged border on foot, climbing high-altitude passes with grim determination. One needs to be fully convinced of the absolute truth of this new perspective. That conviction alone will serve to make you more cautious of these emotions, and may reduce them a bit. In fact, I recently read a survey that reported that nearly half of American workers are dissatisfied at work, unhappy with their jobs. I was puzzled why he was puzzled. He frequently describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. Hello Select your address All Hello, Sign in. In fact, I often gave him no end of difficulty as we struggled to reconcile East and West, pestering him with endless questions, a fair proportion of which he labeled so silly or impossible to answer that it had become a running joke between us, trying even his legendary patience. So, if you met a complete stranger and they didn't know you or had never heard of the Dalai Lama and they didn't even know what your monk's robes signified, they just met you as a human being and they asked you, 'What do you do for a living?' I mean hate in every sense of the word? For example, your boss could give you some work which you could probably finish within a certain amount of time, but that's not overload because it is something you can accomplish, even if it is difficult. Or just go read some Buddhist texts. I bought this book as I am interested in "The Work" aspect of happiness. This is a very, very sad statement. Referring to our many conversations over the years, I continued, "In the past, we've often spoken of training the mind as the key to happiness, and that one way to train our minds is to use our human intelligence, to use human reason and analysis to reshape our attitudes and outlook. So, based on this reality, you can cultivate a wider perspective of the situation and try to see different angles. The Art of Happiness at Work (Book) : Bstan-'dzin-rgya-mtsho : From the authors who brought you the million-copy bestseller The Art of Happiness comes an exploration of job, career, and finding the ultimate happiness at work. "In many cases, yes." Here and there one could see a child missing a finger or a toe-casualties of frostbite. I knew nothing at this age although I thought I did. There is no event from which you get one hundred percent satisfaction, right? But I need to work. It had been a long day for the Dalai Lama. I gave her a copy of The Art of Happiness shortly after it came out. So contentment, I think, contentment-that's the key thing." Some other jobs may have higher pay, but they come at a price, maybe longer hours or more responsibility and maybe risk of injury or other kinds of problems. Beginning with a direct correlation between productivity and happiness, Dr. Cutler questions His Holiness about the nature of work. Now, this week I want to focus on the topic of work . You shouldn't mistake being content with one's job with just sort of not caring, not wanting to grow, not wanting to learn, just staying where one is even if one's situation is bad and not even making the effort to advance and to learn and to achieve something better. the Dalai Lama joined Dr. Howard C. Cutler, an American psychiatrist, in writing a book "The Art of Happiness" which became a best-seller. The Buddhist texts mention what is called 'misplaced tolerance,' or 'misplaced forbearance.' Work-whether it's in the home or at an office-is what mostly runs our lives. To see if there truly are answers to these questions and can we do more than just earn a paycheck for someone else, someone who can use us and fire us at the drop of a hat. Your underlying motivation can change based on this wider perspective and it will build your enthusiasm to work, to make changes that will benefit society. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. But actually, if you think about it, that's true. A matter of "sour grapes." The Dalai Lama laughed. It seemed to be a simple question. "Right." You can think, There are other good things in my life, and I still have it better compared to many. Shouldn't we truly enjoy what we do during this time? And from that angle, the fundamental cause of the problem is the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet, which forced us into exile. Focus on the Quality of Your Relationships. You can be resentful and angry, but then you can think about how destructive that kind of mental state can be. This is the first book i've read that was written by HH the Dalai Lama and I must say its a very good book. They both complained that they didn't get enough information and direction from their bosses, but once they were finally given a clear-cut task or assignment, they wanted to carry out the assignment in their own way. Or are you in a position to manage and influence others in the workplace? Clearly here was a happy man. It is just not possible to go through life without encountering problems. Why do most of us hate our jobs, hate our career choices and hate our career direction? After all, the Japanese have even coined the word karoshi-death by work overload. Unable to add item to Wish List. Highly recommended, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2006. I've talked to some experts who say that the number may even be higher than that. Now many times in the past I've heard you say that the purpose of life is happiness." And he's your boss-you can't just say, 'I'm going to quit, I'm not going to be a monk anymore.' I read the first Art of Happiness book, actually I listened to it while In the hospital recovering from spinal cord surgery, and I found it a truly life changing experience. So, think about these things until you are fully convinced of how damaging it is to ourselves to constantly respond to situations with hostility or jealousy, and how beneficial are the positive emotions like tolerance or contentment." In other parts of the world, for example in countries like India and China, there are fewer opportunities open for employment. "What is this 'work overload,' what do you mean?" (January 2014) The Art of Happiness (Riverhead, 1998, ISBN 1-57322-111-2) is a book by the 14th Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, a psychiatrist who posed questions to the Dalai Lama. In modern society, you find many examples of unfairness-for example, corrupt leaders giving jobs or promotions to relatives instead of based on merit. That's a problem. Otherwise there is a danger of using these lines of reasoning merely as insincere rationalizations.