I had to do a project for Psychology class where I had to read a self-help book and review it. I chose this one mostly because of the title because it sounded good.
This book is a mostly Buddhist/Hindu guide to being "happy" (that word, unfortunately has lost its meaning). Mr. Lewis sets out to show us the pathway to "happiness". But given the heavy Buddhist/Hindu influence, he tends to go off into a lot of mystic gobbledegook.
Mr. Lewis is right in three places:
1) Cultivating a quiet mind. This is very hard to do, and for someone like me who has Berserk Buttons aplenty, this is important. Working keeping your mind calm--keeping YOURSELF calm--helps one think more clearly. And it also helps in dealing with other people. If you're calm, you're more likely to be able to handle idiots well. I know because I've seen what happens when I blow up.
2) Self-Restraint. Seriously, we need more of this in our culture today. Keeping yourself under control helps deal with annoyances, and it helps keep one from falling into temptation.
3) Yoga. Yoga has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to one's health. Regular stretching and breathing exercises help keep your body in shape. And it helps you calm down.
Mr. Lewis fails, however, to use clear words, fails to address one specific problem, and goes off into Buddhist mystic psychobabble. He also fails to document many of his claims.
1) Rejuvenation Herbs. These sound nice and some are useful in medicine. But, well, read this:
"The main ingredients in Bacopa monnieria* are saponin fractions, known Bacosides A and B. there are also alkaloids, brahmine, and herpestine. A clinical study conducted in India indicates that Brahmi* will improve memory, thinking, and reasoning."
Notice that Mr. Lewis doesn't actually document which study India he's talking about. The lack of documentation means he probably doesn't known as much about the plant as he thinks he does. He later goes on to say that this particular plant "is the magic elixir for putting your thoughts into action. It helps you overcome the fears and anxieties paralyzing your good intentions". In regards to that last sentence, doesn't Mr. Lewis know what the road to Hell is often paved with?
Also, I have heard of people who have improved their memory, thinking, and reasoning skills without the help of plants. All it takes is hard work in order to do so.
2) One of the things Mr. Lewis says that happy people possess is "freedom from conflicts and distractions". He seems to be talking about this in relation to our troubles with technology. However, "freedom from conflicts and distractions" has to do with a lot more than just technology. I get distracted, for example, by talking too much. I am also a daydreamer. Does this have anything to do with technology? On one hand yes, because I get easily distracted by the computer or the console. On the other hand no, because distractions have been a constant problem for me since my early childhood. I would recommend that Mr. Lewis go back and look at other things that cause distractions in our lives.
3) He also talks about how "happy" people are not "interested in worldly charms". He doesn't specify what that means. And it's that lack of specification that causes confusion.
4) Mr. Lewis fails to address one specific problem. If this were a book on combating depression, I think I could (with some difficulty) figure out how this book might be helpful. But there isn't one specific problem that is addressed. That is a problem. If the reader doesn't know precisely how this book could give them any idea on how to improve their life, then the author has failed in his goal.
The worst part is when Mr. Lewis begin talking about the "koshas" or "sheaths that cover the soul" and the "kleshas" or "obstacles to happiness". It is here that he really goes off into Neverland. I don't want to hear about the layers of the soul and all that stuff. Not only is it something that I don't believe in, it also isn't very informative. What all do kleshas and koshas have to do with being happy? Nothing.
In conclusion, I will say this: Mr. Lewis does offer some good advice on how to restrain yourself, cultivate a quiet mind, and use breathing and stretching exercises to help keep your body in shape. But I'm afraid that this is outweighed by all the talk of rejuvenation herbs and all the other Buddhist/Hindu stuff.
My advice: Skip the book. It's a waste of time and it's not very informative.
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*These are both Indian named for the coastal water hyssop plant.
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