HAPPINESS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM(DENNIS PRAGER)
- Aneesh J R
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Every now and then, you come across a book that doesn't just add to your knowledge but fundamentally shifts your perspective. Happiness is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager is exactly that kind of book. As the book’s tagline suggests, it acts as "A Human Nature Repair Manual." After turning the last page, I felt exactly the same—that this book is indeed a repair manual for how we think about happiness.
It is easily one of the most practical books I have read in recent times. It has the power to alter the way we think about various circumstances which we usually assume will boost or pull down our level of happiness.
A Shift in Perspective:The most striking aspect of Prager's approach is how he reframes our pursuit. Rather than the conventional advice of balancing happiness with expectations, the book infused a new thought in me: that the way we seek the outcomes of various activities we do determines our level of happiness. It moves the focus from passive expectation to active interpretation of our actions.
The book is divided into three sessions:
The Definition: An exploration of what happiness actually is.
The Obstacles: A detailed look at the major hurdles in attaining happiness and how to deal with them.
The Attitudes: The essential behaviors and mindsets required for creating happiness.
Personally, I found the second and third sessions to be the most valuable. They move beyond theory into the "repair" work the tagline promises.
Universal Struggles:One major input I got from this book was a paradoxical realization about our internal struggles. Many thoughts which I believed were the major reasons detracting me from happiness were, in a way, actually giving me happiness. And also I realised that it works the same for the majority of the population.
We often fall into the trap of thinking that the obstacles we face are major setbacks unique to us alone. Prager illuminates the fact that these are actually common things for the vast majority of the population. There is a strange but powerful comfort in knowing that your "personal" obstacles are actually universal human experiences.
Holiness and Lower Thoughts:The book also delves into the difference between holiness and "lower thoughts"—a truly thought-provoking section. It touches upon the eternal debate between the religious man and the non-religious man regarding our nature. Regardless of where you stand in that debate, understanding the principles regarding the standards set by religion and humankind itself throws light on how you think about the way you pursue happiness. It forces you to ask if you are feeding your immediate impulses or your higher nature.
Some quotes from the book:
Yes, there is a “secret to happiness”—and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy.
Unhappy poor people at least have the fantasy that money will make them happy; unhappy rich people don’t even have that.
The Missing Tile syndrome is ubiquitous. If you are overweight, all you see are flat stomachs and perfect physical specimens. If you have pimples, all you see is flawless skin.
The only people who have no bad tendencies are dead.
Everything worthwhile in life is attained through hard work. Happiness is not an exception.
Conclusion: I will summarise the book as follows This book serves as a practical "human nature repair manual," arguing that happiness is determined not by balancing expectations but by actively interpreting the outcomes of our actions. It is structured to define happiness, dissect major obstacles by revealing the universality of our personal struggles, and prescribe essential behavioral attitudes for change. Ultimately, it frames the pursuit of well-being through the profound lens of choosing between our higher, holy nature and our baser impulses.
If you feel like your understanding of happiness needs a "repair," this manual is essential reading. Many of the thoughts which we use to downgrade ourselves is actually part of Human Nature and it does not fit into any guidelines or principles established under any philisophy of Humankind. It doesn't promise a life without pain, but it provides the tools to process that life with a sense of purpose and joy. The book will give more clarity about our thoughts on our view towards our behaviors wheter it is right or wrong.
About the Author: Dennis Prager is a best-selling author, columnist, and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. He is known for his clarity on moral issues and his ability to make complex philosophical ideas accessible to a broad audience.
Price: Rs. 299/- (approx)
Pages: 192
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
Excellent