I. M.📖Book club📔 "The Art of Happiness" By HowardCutler and the14th Dalai Lama

“Is there a form of happiness beyond the mere repetition of pleasure and avoidance of pain? Is there a happiness that doesn’t depend on having one’s favorite foods available? Or friends and loved ones within arm’s reach? Or good books to read? Or something to look forward to on the weekend? Is it possible to be happy before anything happens? Before one’s desires get gratified? In spite of life’s difficulties? In the very midst of physical pain, old age, disease, and even death? We’re all in some sense living our answer to this question and many of us are living as though the answers were “no”. “No, there is nothing more profound than repeating one’s pleasures and avoiding one’s pains. There is nothing more profound than seeking satisfaction, sensory, emotional, intellectual, moment after moment. Just keep your foot in the gas until you run out of road”. And yet there is an alternative to being continuously spellbound by the conversation we are having with ourselves. There is an alternative to simply identify with the next thought that pops into consciousness and glimpsing this alternative again and again is the essence of mindfulness”-Sam Harris

As psychiatrist Howard Cutler reflects on his conversations with the Dalai Lama in the search for happiness, his perspective changes from thinking happiness is “ill-defined, elusive and ungraspable” as some of his patients describe it, to a possibility arising from a training of the mind. Compassion for others as essential to one’s happiness and Intimacy as the central core of our existence converges in the spiritual and scientific perspectives as the two representatives speak to one another over the course of an extended, rich conversation. Transforming suffering, finding meaning in pain, dealing with anger, hatred and anxiety are some of the topics we found addressed by no less than a mind trained to be compassionate. How to achieve such training though?...

Whether this is your first time in the bookclub or you are a regular, join us for an active exchange of ideas about the book. Remember, this is not a debate, we are here to listen and be listen, not to convince anyone of anything. We gather to speak our thoughts and enjoy the company of others while being mindful and respectful.

ー➡️To cover the cost of the venue we will ask for 100 (a hundred) yen to join ⬅️ー

For August we will be discussing: "The Art of Happiness" by Howard Cutler and the 14th Dalai Lama.

------Details of the event-----
- 1:00 PM
The venue opens. Please come directly to the Tsunohazu Civic Center (新宿区立角筈地域センター). Conference Room I（会議室A）in the 7th　floor　（7階）

-1:15 PM
Depending on the number of people, we will split into small groups to start the discussion. A list with the subtitles of the book and possible questions will be provided, but feel free to start the conversation as you like.
-1:45 PM
We will share our thoughts with other groups
-2:45 PM
Let's discuss altogether the conclusions that we got from each other (or maybe there will be more questions than answers!)
The limit of the number of persons is stipulated by the capacity of the room so we can manage better the discussion and everyone can participate and have a voice, if you are unable to attend, please change your RSVP so others can join instead.

Let's talk about happiness, compassion and intimacy!

NOTE: If you are interested in attending this bookclub but you are unable to afford it due to a particular financial situation, please send a direct message to the organizer. We will figure things out :)