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Ending the Pursuit of Happiness
- A Zen Guide
- By: Barry Magid
- Narrated by: Joe O'Neill
- Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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This new book from Zen teacher, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and critical favorite, Barry Magid, inspires us to outgrow the impossible pursuit of happiness, and instead make peace with the perfection of the way things are. Including ourselves! Using wryly gentle prose, Magid invites readers to consider the notion that our certainty that we are broken may be turning our pursuit of happiness into a source of more suffering.
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Disappointing
- By Rich S. on 08-17-13
- Ending the Pursuit of Happiness
- A Zen Guide
- By: Barry Magid
- Narrated by: Joe O'Neill
Great introduction to Buddhism
Reviewed: 01-30-18
So many books come from viewpoint of the monastic tradition of Buddhism that it is refreshing and quite enlightening to see the lay-Buddhist perspective. The concept of the secret practice is very thoroughly discussed, and I must confess that it is indeed a large part of what holds us back. The message of the book is well-versed and down to earth to a sufficient enough degree that it makes even more sense. A topic that is covered, though may stand to suffer further discussion is the nonmystical mysticism - the fact that Buddhism is religion just as much as not-collecting stamps is a hobby, something often remarked about Atheism. The whole fact of not relying on belief is, in my opinion, important for relaying the message of Buddhism to contemporary western people - that it is not a paradigm to conflict with Abrahamic religions, religious practice, etc. Finally, the narrator. Frankly, in the beginning the husky voice was a bit of a distraction, but with the perceived topic the age and gravitas that the narrator imbued contributed significantly to the whole experience. All in all, a must-hear book from a great author and solid narrator.
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