Did I say that when I finished reading Happiness by Matthieu Ricard I went back to the beginning and started it all over again? (The Guardian had an interview with him very recently - see here.) Don't you just love it when a great book comes along just when you are ready for it.
I am also happy that I have the time to do this,, it is said after all that the unexamined life is not worth living, and if Ricard can spend three months of each year meditating on happiness then I can spend a few hours here and there thinking.....
Ricard claims that happiness is a teachable, learnable skill and that compassion and altruism are more prevalent in the world than modern media would have us believe. There is an incisive logic in his writing that really appeals to me.
He says of his book
'...it is intended not for the Buddhist shelves of libraries, but for the heart and mind of anyone who aspires to a little more joie de vivre and to let wisdom and compassion reign in his or her life'
There are also two Ted Talks (here and here) I find the first particularly dynamic and full of hope and positivity.
If you have time to watch I'd love to know what you think!