by Sophie Scott
ISBN 978 0 733 32554 0
From the back cover -
We are constantly told that happiness should be our goal, but how can we achieve it? Does the
advice of happiness "experts" really work?
That is what Sophie Scott, the ABC's award-winning medical reporter, decides to find out. She
gets inside the ideas of leading happiness experts, including Buddhist monk, Mathieu Ricard
(the "world's happiest man"), to explore the science of happiness.
Then she tries it all out. Using each approach suggested by the experts, she "roadtests" her
way from depression to happiness, sampling techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy;
meditation; gratitude; altruism; food choices and exercise.
If you want to become happier than you are right now and stay that way, here are the tools -
and shortcuts - to make it happen.
"Sophie Scott takes the reader on a wonderful journey. She provides her own personal wisdom and
experience, as well as upbeat insights from others. I wish I had had this resource when I lost
my own mother."
~ AliceD. Domar, Ph.D, author of Be Happy Without Being Perfect
Page -
Hard 2 say how much I might type up ... just purchased it March 2010 ...
Note: I have only just purchased this book & I may type more of it but why not just BUY it.
Reading off a computer screen can't compare with having a copy in your hot little hands while sitting
in a nice, comfy chair :)
Some Links -
First the websites listed in the back of the book:
A Taste of Mindfulness Meditation
The Art of Now - six steps to living in the moment
Secrets of happiness at that site
Use the viewer for these PDF files
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~blnchflr/papers/sentScanJEsexmoneyhappinessjune2003.pdf
http://www.emanuel.org.au/sermons/YK5768-JN.pdf
That second one is a dud? Try clickin here
This collection looks superb - should save some of these sermons!
Now 2 some other links you might enjoy ...
Some interesting links at this forum
There's more on meditation/mindfulness in some of these links!
Book I saw in a store recently
Leads us 2 make this search - save these as soul1.htm etc - quite a few pop up!
Happiness Lies in Devotion Towards God
What 2 do about problems that arise in meditation
The Art and Science of Mindfulness
Happiness is an attitude - heaps at that site!
What does Sri Chinmoy have 2 say on the matter?
Continuing the theme - loads of pages at that site!
How 2 cure destructive emotions
How our thoughts influence our happiness
How the Mind Affects Your Happiness - another site with plenty of food 4 thought
Practice gratitude 4 happiness
Subscribe to this happy email service
Self-actualisation articles at that site
21 must-read articles about happiness
Three keys 2 finding true happiness
100 ways 2 keep yourself happy
Looks like a dud link - try clickin here
100 ways you can start loving yourself right now
Powerful Life-Changing Affirmations
If you want peace-of-mind pay no attention 2 the faults of others
The people who drive us crazy can be our teacher
How 2 improve emotional health - quite a few look worthy of investigating
Naming negative emotions makes them weaker
Buddhist teachings show us how 2 overcome negative emotions
www.breakoutofyourmind.com
Mind Maps - good advice plus saved one map as GIF
Collection of interesting articles
www.worldgratitude.com
A searchable site with loads of 'stuff'
Paul Wilson is another author 2 check out
How 2 meditate - looks a comprehensive site
Quotes about attitude - also plug in happiness
Another excellent Buddhist site
Leads us here after a few clicks
More on happiness at that site
What does Osho have 2 say on the matter?
Gratitude as a spiritual practice
Steps 2 true happiness - used a different search engine!
This site is searchable - have yet 2 click on most of these
Practical Steps to Being Happier - Act As If! - also some links down the bottom of the page
Be VERY careful about the kind of thoughts you entertain
Unconditional love is the key 2 happiness
Specific techniques to make you happy - includes forgiveness & gratitude & mindful immersion
Excellent site - about gratitude & other similar practices
Positive thinking exercises
Holistic Approach To Healing Mind Body & Spirit
The Best Kept Secret to Finding Happiness
How to Find Inner Peace and Happiness - also sign up 4 a free 14-page report via email
The end of all suffering - by Thich Nhat Hahn
How 2 create positive emotions
Or overcomin negative ones ...
The Man Who Prescribes the Medicine of the Moment
PDF file - Thinking your way out of depression
Worst things 2 say 2 someone who is depressed
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred
This being the first 2 catch my eye
www.freewillastrology.com
The art of being present - well worth waitin 4 it 2 load!
The incredible power of contentment
What are the common thinking and behavioral characteristics of happy people?
BeliefNet is a huge searchable site - can subscribe 2 receive daily emails from them
Happiness Lessons from Around the World
Equanimity leads 2 peace of mind
How it can save your sanity - along with a couple of other articles
This search continues the theme - quite a few interesting ones pop up
In the rush and clamor of daily life we may easily forget to pay attention to what is really important - lots of pages at this site!
You can also subscribe 2 a daily email service
Discovering Ever-Lasting Peace
The Glorious Divine Play ... and How to Enjoy It
Kinda reminds me of the adventure of bein human
Another recommended book - said 2 be brilliant & hilarious
Or click here - if ONLY I had an MP3 player :)
It's important 2 maintain good Mental Health
A good laugh is food 4 the soul
Ten Little Tips to Feel Happier Right Now
Emotional Health section at BeliefNet
Transforming problems into happiness
Loving-kindness is a heartfelt wish for happiness and wellbeing
What does Sharon Salzberg have 2 say?
Facets of Metta - another word 4 loving-kindness
Edit your thoughts - another huge & searchable site!
Believe it or not - this is a search I had yet 2 make before now :)
How to Squash Negative Thought Patterns
Searchable collection of quotes - plus some humour
Understanding & releasing emotions
Leads 2 this interesting search (while waitin 4 that page 2 load!)
Take responsibility 4 your own happiness
Change your beliefs (about happiness)
Buddhist appproach 2 friendship
Pema Ch�dr�n offers a method for generating love and compassion for all human beings
Find Inner Peace in 10 Ways - quite a few articles at that site!
Quotes about compassion - looks an interesting site
How 2 experience healthy emotions
Dozens of articles - only clicked on a few so far ...
Journaling - a Tool for Self-Discovery
What is the meaning of life - interesting page even if I would disagree on some points :)
And now 4 something completely different ...
Success tips PLUS a few interesting links
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts
Quotes about happiness - worth waitin 4 it 2 load
Cultivate peace of mind through forgiveness
Finding joy through spiritual practice
The soul is the energy that creates thoughts - several look promising
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him
Absolute Happiness - I read excerpts froma book with the same title in my ERMHA daze :)
More articles at that same site
The root of happiness is self-confidence
Enchantment is our natural state
Copy the habits of happy people
More from Osho - a large site from first impressions
Behaviour modification techniques
At that site - a list of spiritual qualities - quite some list!
Audrey's site is also searchable
15 Life Lessons They Don't Teach You In School
Life skills 4 confidence & happiness
Building self-esteem & happiness
I find the gibberish meditation can really LIFT my mood :)
Here are a few suggestions - though the best sessions are spontaneous :)
Happy people love 2 sing along 2 their favourite tunes
Humming can be very pleasant as well
Affirmations of love & happiness
Foods that promote healthy aging - saw a book in a store today along these lines
Cartoon about yearning - love the plodder as well!
Mystical experiences can be a lot of fun
Leads us here to a registry of such experiences
Continuing the theme with a Buddhist flavour
Is enlightenment sudden or gradual?
Whole collection of self-improvement articles
Your moods are 100 % determined by your thoughts
Eliminate negative thoughts that lead 2 self sabotage
Both come from this search - could add mind?
Here is another searchable site
Mindfulness begins with opening the mind and opening the heart and choosing to be completely present
Keeping a journal can help a lot
Recognizing each day as a gift is the first step toward living a life of gratitude
Further thoughts about mindfulness
Finding joy in the simple things
Evolution of human consciousness
Goodbye to Guilt by Owen - loads of other stuff at that site too
www.32keys.com
Transforming negative emotions
Prayer can help you out at times too
Inspirational sayings, stories & poems - a very comprehensive site!
Wisdom quotes - quite a selection
The Astonishing Power of Gratitude
Don't criticise or complain - loads at that site too
How 2 generate love & compassion toward ALL beings
A few thoughts & tips about building true self-esteem
Message from a true spiritual master
The Most Transformative Technique for Love and Compassion
A guide 2 life's most important skill
Yet another large & searchable site
Over 200 life lessons at this site
www.invokingthelight.com
The Dalai Lama wisely recommends inner disarmament - which may well be the best advice you're EVER likely 2 hear
March 16, 2010 -
Would you believe I haven't yet started 2 read the actual book! Though those links above are more than enuf 2 satisfy anyone I would have 2 imagine!
More happiness links than anyone would ever need :)
I just found a books and articles section in the rear of the book - may see where they lead ...
There are a couple of others but you'll have 2 purchase the book 2 see them :)
Now ... these searches sparked by actually reading the book - polished off HALF in just one day! -
Robina Courtin is a Buddhist nun
Make happiness a priority in your life
Positive self-talk is an excellent strategy
Tal Ben Shahar is another author mentioned
Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey ...
Meditation on peace from the book - should transcribe it
What you eat can greatly affect your mood
More on the benefits of being active
Note: The following are also from the rear of the boook but I didn't find them quite so illuminating - maybe just me :)
Martin Seligman - optimal functioning
The Gottman Institute - researching & restoring relationships
The Relationship Cure is a manual for emotional connection
Awareness and relaxation training
News about science health & technology
One of America's most trusted nutrition and health writers
Choice of food can reveal your mood
Strength Training and Depression in the Elderly
Build skills 2 endure hardship
Australian centre for Addiction Research