I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think the, very motion of our life is towards happiness.
If you maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness, then something automatically opens your inner door. Through that, you can communicate more easily with other people. And that feeling of warmth creates a kind of openness. You'll find that all human beings are just like you, so you'll be able to relate to them more easily. That gives you a spirit of friendship. Then there's less need to hide things, and as a result, feelings of fear, self-doubt, and insecurity are automatically dispelled.
In our daily lives problems are bound to arise. The biggest problems in our lives are the ones that we inevitably have to face, like old age, illness, and death Trying to avoid our problems or simply not thinking about them may provide temporary relief, but I think that there is a better approach If you directly confront your suffering, you will be in a better position to appreciate the depth and nature of the problem. If you are in a battle, as long as you remain ignorant of the status and combat capability of your enemy, you will be totally unprepared and paralyzed by fear. However, if you know the fighting capability of your opponents, what sort of weapons they have and so on, then you're in a much better position when you engage in war. In the same way, if you confront your problems rather than avoid them, you will be in a better position to deal with them.

The Art of Happiness, H.H. the Dalai Lama, Howard Cutter, Riverhead, 322 pages, $26.95

Tenzin Gyamtso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born on July 6, 1935 in a small village called Takster in northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, His Holiness was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalaia Lama. He was enthroned at the age of five and assumed full political power in 1950. In 1959, His Holiness was forced into exile and has striven ever since for a peaceful solution to the the Sino-Tibetan crisis. He continually promotes his compassionate approach to life struggles, whether personal or global, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

Howard C. Culter, M.D., is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He first met the Dalai Lama in 1982 while in India on a research grant to study Tibetan medicine. Dr. Cutler practices psychiatry in Phoenix and now lectures nationally.

	Contents: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
	Preface to the 10th Annniversary Edition	ix
	Introduction to the 10th Anniversary Edition	xiv
	Author's Note	xxxi
	Introduction	1
	PART I. THE PURPOSE OF LIFE	11
1.	The Right to Happiness	13
2.	The Sources of Happiness	19
3.	Training the Mind for Happiness	37
4.	Reclaiming Our Innate State of Happiness	52
	PART II. HUMAN WARMTH AND COMPASSION	65
5.	A New Model for Intimacy	67
6.	Deepening Our Connection to Others	85
7.	The Value and Benefits of Compassion	113
	PART III. TRANSFORMING SUFFERING	131
8.	Facing Suffering	133
9.	Self-Created Suffering	149
10.	Shifting Perspective	172
11.	Finding Meaning in Pain and Suffering	199
	PART IV. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES	217
12.	Bringing About Change	219
13.	Dealing with Anger and Hatred	246
14.	Dealing with Anxiety and Building Self-Esteem	263
	PART V. CLOSING REFLECTIONS ON LIVING A SPIRITUAL LIFE	291
15.	Basic Spiritual Values	293
	Acknowledgments	316