The Buddha's Way of Happiness: Healing Sorrow, Transforming Negative Emotion, and Finding Well-Being in the Present Moment

258 Pages·2011·3.83 MB·English

by  Lama Surya Das

“A wonderful blend of purpose, parable, and practice conveying
the essential Buddhist insight that happiness and contentment are
much closer than we think.”
— Zindel V. Segal, Ph.D, coauthor of The Mindful Way
Through Depression
“In a delightfully unpretentious fashion, Thomas Bien provides a
sophisticated introduction to Buddhist philosophy and practice.
That he can pull that feat off in a book that contains a section
called ‘Why Your Dog Is Happier Than You Are’ is both a
testimony to his skill as a writer and to his contagiously easy
relationship with these ancient teachings. I heartily recommend
savoring these pages!”
— Steven Forrest, author of The Inner Sky and
Yesterday’s Sky
“Brilliant, captivating, and insightful, The Buddha’s Way of
Happiness will help all of us move toward greater degrees of joy,
ease, and freedom. Bien’s clinical wisdom, scientific rigor, and deep
compassion are felt in each page of the book. These ideas and
practices have the power to transform our individual and collective
lives.”
— Shauna L. Shapiro, Ph.D., associate professor at Santa
Clara University and coauthor of The Art and Science of
Mindfulness
“This wonderful volume skillfully blends common sense and
uncommon wisdom to lead readers toward what we all really want:
happiness and contentment. With the care of a psychotherapist,
the knowledge of a researcher, and the insight of one who has
walked the walk, Bien shows us that happiness is found closer to
home than we believed, and points out how we get there.”
— Paul R. Fulton, Ed.D., director of mental health for
Tufts Health Plan and president emeritus of the
Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy
“Reading these pages, you will understand the meaning and
experience the wisdom of the ancient Eastern tradition. With
warmth and compassion, Bien draws a wonderful road map to
happiness. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with
any form of suffering, but also to whomever wants to find a
pathway leading to well-being and wishes to discover the magic
and the healing power of being deeply present.”
— Fabrizio Didonna, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and
editor of The Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness

“In Western psyche and psychology, the pursuit of happiness
is often assumed to involve doing, taking control, striving, and
acquiring. In The Buddha’s Way of Happiness, Bien invites us to
stroll a very different path, an ancient Eastern way toward inner
peace and contentment. Whatever one’s own religion, there is
deep wisdom here to read, ponder, and practice.”
— William R. Miller, Ph.D., Emeritus Distinguished
Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the
University of New Mexico
“It is a radical notion to think that happiness might be found
much closer than we think, or that it is not located in the
places we usually look for it. In his new book, Bien invites us
to consider exactly this possibility as he draws on the teachings
of the Buddha, everyday examples, and the richness of diverse
faith and spiritual traditions. Bien explores an expanded
perspective on human happiness rooted in ancient wisdom, yet
extraordinarily relevant to our time. Whether you consider
yourself a Buddhist or not, there is much of value here. I
recommend you see for yourself. If you do, you just might come
away feeling happier!”
—Jeffrey Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes
“Accessible and graceful, this book unfolds with a clarity that
rises from a depth of practice and extends a kind invitation to
others to explore the truth of these teachings for themselves.
The Buddha’s insights penetrate into daily life applications with
philosophical understanding, meditation practices, and stories
that encourage investigation and engagement with one’s moment-
to-moment experience of living.”
— Florence Meleo-Meyer, MS, MA, director of Oasis
Professional Training and Education and senior
teacher of the stress reduction program at the
University of Massachusetts Medical School
“In this wise, readable book, Bien reveals the essence of ancient
Buddhist psychology—the psychology of happiness—for modern
readers. Then he offers practical strategies for uncovering the
happiness we already possess. Recommended for anyone who
seeks freedom from suffering at the deepest level.”
— Christopher K. Germer, Ph.D., clinical instructor at
Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindful
Path to Self-Compassion
“An intelligent and compassionate wellspring of dharma
teachings that shows us how we can rely on our own inner
wisdom to find that happiness is already present within us, here
and now. Through inspiring stories and practical instruction, this
remarkable book teaches us the art of mindfulness and self-care.
When we are mindful in our everyday lives, happiness follows.”
— Steven Hick, PhD, meditation teacher and
professor in social work at Carleton University
in Ottawa, Ontario
“Bien reminds us of the liberating truth we most regularly forget:
the source of our happiness and freedom is within us, already
here in this moment. This book is a clear and wise guide on the
path of spiritual awakening.
—Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance
“In The Buddha’s Way of Happiness, Bien gives readers an
unusually clear, accessible, and engaging introduction to the
profoundly useful teachings of the Buddha. Blending ancient
insights with those of a modern psychologist, he shows us how
our everyday habits of mind create needless suffering, and how
the Buddha’s teachings can free us from these habits to help
us find genuine happiness today. This delightful, wise, and
compassionate book is full of practical exercises, tips, and easy-
to-follow suggestions that anyone can use to live a richer, more
awakened life.”
— Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, assistant clinical professor
of psychology at Harvard Medical School and
author of The Mindfulness Solution
The Buddha’s
Way of
Happiness
healing sorrow,
transforming
negative emotion
& finding
well-being in the
present moment
Thomas Bien, Ph.D.
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard
to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not
engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert
assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be
sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2010 by Thomas Bien
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Text design by Michele Waters-Kermes
Acquired by Catharine Sutker
Edited by Nelda Street

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bien, Thomas.
The Buddha’s Way of Happiness : Healing Sorrow, Transforming Negative
Emotion, and Finding Well-Being in the Present Moment / Thomas Bien, Ph.D. ;
Foreword by Lama Surya Das.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-57224-869-4 (pbk.) -- ISBN 978-1-57224-870-0 (pdf ebook) 1.
Buddhism--Psychology. 2. Emotions--Religious aspects--Buddhism. 3. Happiness--
Religious aspects--Buddhism. I. Title.
BQ4570.P76B53 2011
294.3’444--dc22
2010043969
All Rights Reserved
For Edker Matthews and Susan Hopkins,
two of the happiest people I know.

Don’t look outside yourself for happiness. Let go of the idea that you
don’t have it. It is available within you.
—Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching