SPONTANEOUS HAPPINESS

The complementary medicine pioneer, clear voiced as ever, sounds softer here than when he’s narrating in professor mode. With humble references to his own depression and search for happiness, he sounds more connected to his listeners. Frequent happiness is an unrealistic goal, he says. Shoot for calm serenity and a range of emotional responses to life that we tilt toward the positive with thoughtful practice. With his knack for making complex information sound familiar, he describes the strengths and limitations of various approaches to emotional contentment—Eastern and Western, biomedical and spiritual. He suggests we seek a neutral midpoint between happiness and depression—emotional sea level—and cultivate habits that lead to more emotional resilience. With many state-of-the-art strategies, this is a must-hear for anyone seeking more peace in his or her life. T.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2012]