Recordpub.com - One for the Books: Don't Worry; Be Happy

Has this long, strange winter got you overstressed? Looking for a way to put a smile back on your face? Try a little happiness.

"The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. Happiness is the goal of every other goal," writes prolific author Deepak Chopra in "The Ultimate Happiness Prescription: Seven Keys to Joy and Enlightenment." In this pretty little book -- which would make a nice gift -- he presents his secret to unlocking joy in seven "keys": Be aware of your body; find true self-esteem; detoxify your life (including toxic emotions); give up being right; focus on the present; see the world in yourself; and live for enlightenment. Apparently, researchers in positive psychology have come up with a "happiness formula": Happiness = set point (how naturally happy you are) + conditions of living + voluntary activities. But Chopra writes that this formula doesn't "uncover the real secret of happiness." He encourages you, the reader, to find your true self, through enlightenment. You must test yourself, become more mindful of the present moment, find "happiness without reasons." With each key he presents several affirmations -- or promises to the self -- to help the reader "activate" that key. For example: "I will refrain from qualifying things as right and wrong, good and bad. I will find freedom in a wider perspective that leads to creative solutions rather than judgments and accusations. My happiness lies in the calm stillness that lies beyond all labels."

This is really a sort of primer on New Age spirituality, combining the wisdom of many faiths, with anecdotes. "Almost all the work done on the spiritual path consists of two things: clearing away obstacles, and reaching a deeper level of awareness," he writes. "The real you is the bliss that exists beyond time." (www.DeepakChopra.com)

His friend and fellow prolific author, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, has written "The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to Meaning." The book is a companion to a movie of the same title, and he rather annoyingly keeps reminding the reader of this fact.

Dyer is very easy to read and follow. Where Chopra's faith comes out of Indian religions, Dyer is a student of the Tao. He says the greatest hunger of all isn't the search for happiness, but for meaning and purpose. We want to find out "Who am I? What is my purpose?" but first we need to ask ourselves, "Where did I come from?" Ambition leads us away from God, he writes, and we need to go back to the "Source of being." To begin with, "everything is energy," he explains. Through anecdotes, he takes us through two journeys: "from formless pure spirit into form (nonbeing to being)" and "from a subatomic particle to birth." He uses physics and metaphysics, and he quotes ancient philosophers, religious figures, American Indians, poets and the Bible for examples of searching for "spiritual connectedness" vs. separation. He talks about nothingness, oneness, surrender: "We can simulate oneness through the part of ourselves that knows the silence where there are no names and no things." And after all this, he says, the journey really returns you to the perfect place you began. (www.HayHouse.com)

My favorite of the recent books on how to be happy is "Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living" by Allan Lokos. Lokos comes out of the Buddhist tradition, and he and his wife are both ordained Interfaith ministers. "We want to be happy. We yearn for there to be meaning to our lives, balanced with a sense of inner peace and joy," he writes. "When life is coming at us like a freight train, we need short, concise practices that can help us think, speak, and act wisely under pressure. I call these pocket practices -- small but effective practices that we develop slowly so that we can call on them quickly, instinctively. They are light, responsive, and powerful." They are really "just common sense and great spiritual teachings distilled into concentrated dosages." One pocket practice is simply "Greet folks with a smile." Another: Before you do anything, ask yourself, "What is my intention?" The book is divided into chapters on generosity, morality, relinquishing, wisdom, joyous effort, patience, truthfulness, determination, lovingkindness and equanimity. "Spiritual practice is not about becoming a better person. You are already whole and perfect as you are. (It) is about becoming present to that perfection," Lokos writes.

I really like this lovely book. Its simple, warm, wise anecdotes fit naturally and make the lessons seem easy. They remind me of the short, practical, loving sermons of the Methodist minister from my childhood. (www.PocketPeace.com)

"Zors' Guide to Success and Ultimate Happiness" by Bryan James of Hudson is a small, easy-to-read, thought-provoking book. The advice is presented as a series of user-friendly lectures with stories, and it's offered with a sense of humor. "All things are possible; it's just a matter of time and will," says the author. He talks about how people think and about "the mental aspect involved in accomplishing great things." He writes that "Your subconscious mind will do everything in its power to do what it believes you want it to do." James goes on to tell you how to reprogram your subconscious mind, using positive affirmations to become "a person of internal locus of control." (www.OakleyPublishingCompany.com)

Pamper yourself toward happiness with "An Indulgence a Day: 365 Simple Ways to Spoil Yourself" by Andrea Norville and Patrick Menton. This nice little gift book offers simple (and often free) suggestions to relieve stress and embrace the sweet side of life. Ideas include telling someone you love them; laying out under the stars; putting flowers on a stranger's grave; test-driving a car you can't afford; eating brownies for breakfast; doing something that scares you; getting a free makeover at a cosmetics counter; and volunteering at a nursing home. (www.AdamsMedia.com)

Copyright © 2010 by Mary Louise Ruehr. Find book news and more online at www.recordpub.com; click "News" in the menu bar, then "Lifetimes," and find "One for the Books" or visit my blog at http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light; Twitter @One4TheBooks.

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BOOK NOTES, One for the Books Extra Online
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Follow me on Twitter @One4TheBooks.
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Check out my blog on books, inspiration, fun and thought-provoking goodies! It’s called “Shine A Light!”

http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light/

If you lose that link, go to www.recordpub.com. Click “Blogs” in the blue bar at the top of the page, and find “Shine A Light.”

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LOCAL BOOK CLUBS:

The Kent Free Library’s book discussion group meets at 6:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month in the second floor meeting room at the library. Previous books discussed include “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville, “The Great Gatsby,” “A Christmas Carol” and “Anna Karenina.” Members come from Kent, Stow and Rootstown, and everyone is welcome. The discussion is led by librarian Kristin Pool. Any questions should be directed to her at 330-673-4414.

The Book Discussion Group at the Randolph Library meets the first Monday of the month, except August, at 6:30 p.m. in the Randolph Senior Center. The group is open to everyone, and new members are always welcome. The library will stock copies of the books each month. Call the library at 330-325-7003.

Pierce-Streetsboro Library’s Book Discussion Group meets regularly on the second Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. New members are always welcome to attend and participate in the discussion. The library is located at 8990 Kirby Lane in Streetsboro, next to the administrative offices of the Streetsboro City Schools. For more information, call the library at 330-626-4458.

The Book Discussion Group at the Mogadore Branch of the Akron-Summit County Library, 144 S. Cleveland Ave., 330-628-9228, meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays to discuss books.
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from Shelf Awareness: New Books Out February 23:

Big Girl: A Novel by Danielle Steel
The Infinities by John Banville
Reality Hunger: A Manifesto by David Shields
Spark: How Old-Fashioned Values Drive a Twenty-First-Century Corporation: Lessons from Lincoln Electric's Unique Guaranteed Employment Program by Frank Koller
The Man from Saigon: A Novel by Marti Leimbach
Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon by Roland Lazenby
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New Titles out March 2:

House Rules: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
No Apology: The Case for American Greatness by Mitt Romney
The Pacific by Hugh Ambrose
The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright
Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire! by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
Payback Time: Making Big Money Is the Best Revenge! by Phil Town
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For best-seller lists and more book news, go to:

http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4765550

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Here are links to other recent One for the Books columns. More links are available on my blog at http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light/one-for-the-books/

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ’n’ Roll -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4768003

Keep It Short! -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4758011

The “Dome” Tome and “U” -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4753011

Revisiting Jane Austen -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4743712

Fun Christmas Reading -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4727452

Palin-Tology -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4718844

Treats for Dog Lovers -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4709611

Current Best-Sellers -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4694861

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Thanks for reading One for the Books. Please let us know what kind of book news you’d like to see on this page. Send e-mail to Books@recordpub.com. Send other mail to Mary Louise Ruehr, Books Editor, Record-Courier, 126 N. Chestnut St. (P.O. Box 1201), Ravenna, OH 44266.

“One for the Books” appears the second and fourth Fridays of the month in the Record-Courier. Extra columns may appear on occasion, especially preceding Christmas and Hanukkah.