Review Of The Self-Help Book “Happiness Is All We Want”
In this modern life everyone is busy in one way or another and is constantly in search of happiness. But are we searching in the right direction or how can we attain permanent happiness. The book Happiness is all we want intends to help one in finding an answer for this. According to the author happiness is achieved through a disciplined life with proper control of mind, body and soul. The author takes the reader through various issues faced by these three entities one by one and also gives practical tips and solutions on how to tackle these issues. The book is written in simple language and is structured well.
The concepts are easy to understand. The language is not domineering, the author says please when suggesting. Certain portions are difficult to understand because of the wrong usage of sentence but they are not so many. A self-help book can easily end up in a boring literature because of its non-fiction nature but here it is brilliantly made interesting by adding many small sections titled practical tips, happiness moments, wake-up stories, tech traps and Smart-well-being capsules. These comprises of real-life experiences of author, his friends and family members as well as some practical tips and they make the reader indulge in the book. Some of the ideas and concepts proposed in the book are noteworthy. To highlight the part where the author explains about the expectation’s others have on us and how we have to manage them, another segment where the author gives a practical tip on how to control anger, the notion “Good relationship keeps us healthier and happier” are few of them. I found the section which describes about body, how to take care of it so as to attain a healthy life compulsive and thought provoking. The methods and techniques discussed in this section seemed to be more scientific and practical. As we move on to the last section about soul the writing becomes spiritual. At places I found it as superficial.
For example, at the segment where the author discusses about birth and rebirth, being a science follower, I found the discussion becoming flimsy. The author gives some blind statements like “Many living examples of saints have proven that one may live without take of physical food but not without supply of spiritual food”, “Yoga combined with Ayurveda can wipe out chronic ailments from the root”. These don’t have any scientific basis I guess. The book lacks a universal nature. The author discusses about the problems and solutions of people in corporate world. Most of the examples he mentions are from the life of individuals from upper middle class in the society. A distinction between rich and poor are evident at certain places. The statement “Let’s not forget our responsibility to the underprivileged section of the society” support this. I find this as a shortcoming. I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. Those with hi-tech background who are burdened with hectic lifestyle can relate to this book more. If you are a fitness enthusiast, spiritual or have a passion for yoga and meditation this book is one for you.
