The question regarding what makes us happy is something that has intrigued sages and philosophers since the dawn of time, and the proliferation of books on the subject of the art of happiness shows this is a subject that concerns us still. So, what makes us happy and how can we get more of the good stuff into our lives? Here are some of my favorite books about the art of happiness for those of you who are interested in what makes us happy.
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1. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
On Amazon at: amazon.com
This is one of my favorite books about the art of happiness and it is packed full of words of wisdom from the happiness guru himself, the Dalai Lama. Have you ever seen pictures of this man scowling or frowning? He is always smiling. This fabulous book looks at questions that concern us all, such as why so many people are unhappy and why we suffer. This is certainly a must-read for anyone interested in the idea of happiness in this hectic world.
2. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
On Amazon at: amazon.com
This is a fabulous book by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Csikszentmihalyi has conducted some investigations into the state of consciousness known as flow. Have you ever been so engrossed in something that time becomes irrelevant and nothing else seems to matter? During this state, people experience creativity and deep enjoyment. Csikszentmihalyi's book teaches us how we can bring more of this into our lives.
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3. The Happiness Project: or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing by Gretchen Rubin
On Amazon at: amazon.com
One day, Rubin realized that she wasn't spending time on what really mattered and time was quickly running out. Ever had that feeling? I know I have. Gretchen Rubin tells the story of how she decided to make changes in her life. Over twelve months, she used ancient wisdom coupled with current scientific research to find out what makes us truly happy. And the conclusion? Well, I won't spoil it for you but she realizes that even small changes can make a big difference.
4. Flourish: a Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being by Martin Seligman
On Amazon at: amazon.com
Seligman is a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a guru on the subject of positive psychology. According to Seligman, there are four factors that can help us live more fulfilled lives. They are: positive emotions, an engagement with what one is doing, good relationships and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
On Amazon at: amazon.com
This is another fabulous book about happiness but it's a little different to some of the other books on the subject. It takes an engaging and witty look at the subject, making it both entertaining and intriguing. If you think you know what makes you happy then Gilbert gives you some interesting things to think about. Gilbert looks at how our minds work and how we could be standing in the way of our own happiness.
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6. Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson
On Amazon at: amazon.com
What if we could hardwire our brains for more happiness? Dr. Hanson offers four steps which help strengthen our brains to balance negativity with positivity and be happier. Sounds perfect. After all, who doesn't want more inner peace, confidence and happiness in their lives?!
7. Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
On Amazon at: amazon.com
Meditation is incredibly beneficial, there's no doubt about it. It reduces stress and helps us to experience inner calm. If you're new to meditation Sharon Salzberg can help you harness the power of this ancient practice and in just 28 days, you will see a difference in your outlook on life. Not only does she explain how meditation works, she gives you meditation practices you can use to become happier and more fulfilled in life.
Have you read any of the above books on happiness? Perhaps you have some recommendations. I would love to hear!
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