PNTV - The Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu

In *The How of Happiness*, Sonja Lyubomirsky offers a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness. Drawing on her extensive research, Lyubomirsky explains that while 50% of happiness is determined by genetics and 10% by life circumstances, 40% can be controlled through intentional thoughts and behaviors. The book provides over a dozen uniquely formulated happiness-increasing strategies, including practicing optimism, savoring life's pleasures, and staying active. It also includes diagnostic quizzes to help readers understand their 'happiness set point' and select activities that best fit their personality, resources, and goals. Lyubomirsky emphasizes the importance of personalizing these strategies to achieve long-term happiness.

The Tao Te Ching, attributed to Lao Tzu, is a foundational text of Taoism, emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao, or the natural order of the universe. The book offers guidance on leadership, self-cultivation, and achieving inner peace through simplicity and non-action. Its verses explore themes of balance, detachment, and the interconnectedness of all things, advocating for a life of virtue and humility. The text encourages readers to embrace the paradoxical nature of reality, finding strength in weakness and wisdom in silence. Through poetic and enigmatic prose, the Tao Te Ching provides timeless insights into living a fulfilling and balanced life. Its teachings promote a deep understanding of the self and one's place in the cosmos.

In 'Loving What Is,' Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell present 'The Work,' a simple yet powerful process of self-inquiry. The book teaches readers how to apply four key questions to any problem, enabling them to see their troubles in a new light. Katie's method emphasizes that suffering is not caused by the situation itself but by our thoughts about it. Through clear examples and dialogues, the book shows how to apply 'The Work' in various areas of life, such as relationships, work, and personal anxieties, leading to lasting peace, clarity, and energy. The process helps readers accept reality as it is, rather than resisting it, and promotes a transformative practice for spiritual growth and mental well-being.

This book challenges the conventional view that success is the result of hard work, precise plans, or driving ambition. Instead, Deepak Chopra presents seven spiritual laws—The Law of Pure Potentiality, The Law of Giving, The Law of Karma, The Law of Least Effort, The Law of Intention and Desire, The Law of Detachment, and The Law of Dharma—that, when applied, can lead to a life of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, and material abundance. The book emphasizes living in harmony with natural law and understanding our basic nature as human beings to achieve effortless success.

Written by Herbert Benson and Miriam Z. Klipper, 'The Relaxation Response' describes an autonomic reaction that counters the 'fight or flight' response. The book outlines a 6-step (later expanded to 9-step) technique for eliciting this response, which involves a mental device, a passive attitude, a quiet environment, and a comfortable position. This approach has been scientifically validated and is recommended by healthcare professionals to treat various stress-related conditions, including hypertension, headaches, insomnia, and chronic pain.