The Spirit of Happiness: Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life

by T. Byram Karasu

Book Overview

In the course of our lives, we struggle to establish careers and relationships that we hope will infuse us with a sense of purpose. While important titles, wealth, power, and possessions may represent... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074328903X
• ISBN13: 9780743289030
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Search for God; Ending With God Finding Us

One of my blessings in 2006 has been the discovery of T. Byram Karasu, M.D. I had the good fortune of stumbling on his "The Art of Serenity" early in the year and could not put it down. Each page is filled with uncommon wisdom. I have now finished Karasu's "The Spirit of Happiness" and have just ordered his just released "Of God and Madness: a Novel." Needless to say, I am hooked on T. Byram Karasu. T. Byram Karasu, M.D. has been practicing psychiatry for thirty-five years and is a student of the human condition. He has reached a point in his life where he has a handle on those things that trouble us and keep us from serenity and happiness. And he is taking the time to share his insights with us. In "Spirit of Happiness," he begins where "Serenity" begins, with a belief and love of God. Karasu points out that one cannot find meaning in life just by living. We must first understand ourselves and our purpose, and this can only be done by knowing God and the will of God. The answers to the human dilemma cannot be found in all the "self-ultimacy" books and speakers that abound in our modern world. "The works of secular gurus demonstrates again and again that making the mind of man its own center generates only personal confusion, unhappiness, and communal disorders." The answers to the human dilemma can only be found through God who speaks to all of us. He speaks to us through the Bible and through nature. But to hear and see, we must listen and observe. This demands sacrifice, resilience, and determination as the path to God is through a small, narrow gate. Since we are defined eternally only in communion with God, the closer we stay to God, the stronger we become. With this in mind, Karasu maintains that striving for Godliness is the key to being strong and successful, finding joy and happiness, and living in an extraordinarily meaningful way while leading an ordinary life. The "Spirit of Happiness" is built on Karasu's six tenets of soulfulness and spirituality as basic requirements for happiness: The Love of Others, The Love of Work, The Love of Belonging, Believing in the Sacred, Believing in Unity, and Believing in Transformation. Karasu's provides useful insight and examples of these tenets in the book's nine chapters: God's Holy Purpose Man's Holy Purpose is Striving to be Godly Striving for Godly Success Striving for Godly Strength Striving for a Godly Marriage Striving for a Godly Family Striving for Godly Friendships Striving for Godly community Striving for Godly Harmony I believe in God, Therefore I Am. The "Spirit of Happiness" is written in such a way that you can read it through or use it for daily meditations. Each chapter contains readings ranging in length from two paragraphs to two pages with advice on how to achieve a goal we should be striving for. These readings are based on a biblical verse that precedes it. For example, GOD IS A YOUR THERAPIST; REMAIN UNDER HIS CARE (Man's Holy Purpose is Striving to be God

What does God Want for ME? This book is a good roadmap.

I wish I knew what God wants for me. I am so down and depressed. Reading this book gave me the courage to keep searching for the answer. It was a very calming book, while still encouraging me to continue to seek joy in my life. For those people unable to experience joy, I would recommend "Out of the Black Hole". It's a wonderful book about a new FDA approved treatment for depression. If I can climb out of the black hole through the miracle of this new treatment, Mr. Karasu's book will guide me the rest of the way. Thank you.