It's Easier Than You Think

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Derek Williams Hist 100-01 Prof. Gordon After reading “It’s Easier Than You Think” by Sylvia Boorstein, much of the Buddhist ways to happiness can be clearly understood. The book expresses all different types of principles of Buddha’s. These principles can be done at any time during the day and many are just a way of dealing with situations. Sylvia states “that spiritual living does not need to be a big deal” (Boorstein, 3). By this she is saying that the Buddhist ways to happiness are not very hard and don’t require a huge lifestyle change. She further expresses this point when she says that the way to happiness is “attractive to many people because they are so simple” (Boorstein, 13). Sylvia expresses two very key things throughout her book. One focus in this book is that ordinary people in her life are acting out Buddhist principles. The other focus on this book is the principles of Buddha that are regarded as most important. There are many different stories to read throughout the chapters each specifying different types of these principles. As mentioned above, Sylvia talks much about her experiences in observing normal people acting out Buddhist principles. One such example is when she mentions Mr. Cory and her grandfather. She refers to them as living out a life of health and happiness which are what Buddha’s messages were about. Later in her book she mentions a lady named Alta, who showed in her life Right Understanding, which is important for happiness. When asked if she was upset by Sylvia, Alta responded by saying “I’ve done all I could…so there is no point in being upset” (Boorstein, 33). Right Aspiration is another principle that Sylvia discusses two ladies acting out in their life. The first lady was on an airplane with her and a storm was shaking the plane, but the woman didn’t show any signs of fear. The next lady was her friend Elizabeth who was

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