His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and a Nobel Prize winner.

According to Dalai Lama, happiness is the main purpose of life.

Why are so many people unhappy? How can we reduce conflict? Is romantic love true love? Why do we suffer? How should we deal with unfairness and anger? How do you handle the death of a loved one? These are the conundrums that psychiatrist Howard Cutler poses to the Dalai Lama during an extended period of interviews in The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living.

At first, the Dalai Lama's answers seem simplistic: Happiness can be achieved through training the mind; ask yourself if you really need something; our enemies can be our teachers; compassion brings peace of mind.

Cutler pushes: But some people do seem happy with lots of possessions; but what if I don't believe in karma?; but going to extremes provides the zest in life.

As the Dalai Lama's responses become more involved, a coherent philosophy takes shape.

Like any art, the art of happiness requires study and practice – and the talent for it, the Dalai Lama assures us, is in our nature.