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Secrets of True Happiness

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Poet-Philosopher and Zen Priest Tai Sheridan's 'Secrets of True Happiness' is a short, simple, and straight forward guide to becoming Truly Happy by living wisely. When you are truly happy you can be at ease in the world as a Buddha in Blue Jeans: a person of presence, openness, love, and benefit.

Topics include True Happiness; Wanting; Anger; Pride; Life and Death; Uncertainty; Change; Openness; Time; Creativity; Work; Family; Solitude; Nature; Love; Buddha in Blue Jeans is Truly Happy; A Wish for The World. This book is for people of any faith, religion, race, nationality, gender, relationship status, capacity, or meditation background.

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2011

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278 people want to read

About the author

Tai Sheridan

36 books31 followers

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5 stars
206 (40%)
4 stars
129 (25%)
3 stars
108 (21%)
2 stars
37 (7%)
1 star
26 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Gail.
187 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2014
I find these poems helpful in my meditation practice. I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could. Many of the poems are relevant to me right now. Some will be relevant later.
Profile Image for S. Spelbring.
Author 13 books8 followers
May 15, 2020
Another, very short, ebook from the Buddhist author, Tai Sheridan. This one is a little less straight forward than the other book, Sitting Quietly. This is one is more about our outlook onto the world rather than just sitting in it.

Again, with short, poem-like chapters, the author works through some of our greatest fears (death, fear, anger) and puts forth experiencing aliveness and big love into ourselves in order to become truly happy. He also has a short verse on the cyclical nature of "wanting".

To me, it feels like this book is a step beyond Sitting Quietly, a deeper dive into our thoughts and nature to find deeper meaning and emotion. Or it could be just an interesting little ebook to get you thinking again about life and the meaning of the universe.
Profile Image for Mohammad Musadiq Laghari.
66 reviews
August 8, 2023
A good short read

You can use this book as a quick reminder to be good to yourself and to others. It's not for studying, it's more like a book that you can use to quickly repivot yourself. I enjoyed it for that reason and might bookmark a few pages.

It has everything from one page lessons on Creativity to Family to Love and even deeper topics like Time and Change that it breaks open so naturally.

A very short read that you can use to see if you're into this Zen stuff.
Profile Image for Bella.
Author 5 books68 followers
July 20, 2017
Indeed a gem

Once in a while you find an amazing book which gives you peace and understanding. This is one such book. Be happy. Be you. Everything is beautiful just as the way it is. Many thanks to author for sharing this book for free.
Profile Image for Paulia BSN-RN.
156 reviews
July 4, 2018
A quick and short contemporary approach to Buddhist philosophy and awakening. A good book to open up once in a while or daily to read a poem or two about just being happy.
"Change is the harbinger of death because each change is a death of the old."
2 reviews
December 15, 2018
Amazing words of comfort

In these turbulent times, these words give me comfort without the mumbo jumbo. Taking it as we are. Complex beings in an amazing world with no perfect answers. Enjoy. Thanks for the book Tai
1 review
December 27, 2018
Worth reading. I suggest read it twice and connect it with you and your experiences, it helps.

It could be little more expressive for people to understand real time happiness. Many do not realize that real happiness is within.
Profile Image for Alissa Knight.
Author 1 book33 followers
October 27, 2017
Short but has a few good lessons

Short but a few good lessons for modern Buddhists seeking balance and happiness in the world today. Good for the back pocket.
75 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2018
Beautiful book

I thank Tai for sharing with us his love thoughout his books. It helps to make a better world. Thank you.
Profile Image for Brian Wilcox.
Author 2 books531 followers
December 14, 2020
Simple condensations of profound, universal wisdom from a priest of Suzuki Roshi's lineage.
15 reviews
December 29, 2019
Unique happy poetry


sheridan's poetry is childlike and real; plus I've never read a better self-help book. His acceptance of reality is liberating, and his insistence on our just being our true selves is so refreshing. It is damn hard to be depressed reading him. Yea, I wanna be a Buddha in blue jeans!
5 reviews
July 6, 2014
Happy to get to t h e end

what a waste of time and money, the happiness of this book is the moment it's over. The wisdom imparted is common sense to any child, do your self a favor realize that true happiness is internal and that accepting and loving yourself is the key.
Profile Image for Donald Perreault.
14 reviews8 followers
October 29, 2015
Another Great Book

I love books like this for times when you have a minute or even a few extra minutes for a quick read. This book contains many brief poignant statements that the reader can embrace as he goes about his day and in the end be a better person for it.
Profile Image for Chelsey Mae.
174 reviews6 followers
January 30, 2017
Thank you again for this wonderful quick read. It is exactly what I need and there are so many things I continually need to remind myself of. I will keep this close and open it up whenever I am in need of remembering that life is beautiful.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,169 reviews
January 29, 2019
I just didn't get it

My fault I'll say. I just didn't get the use of this book. I need to work on my happy reading. Perhaps a review again at a later time will be better but for now it was just ok
Profile Image for Janelle.
55 reviews
May 16, 2012
Wonderful sage advice. I found myself highlighting many passages. An easy, short read that I will read again and again.
1 review
December 27, 2013
Short and to the point

I enjoyed this book. It is a quick read and gives you a greater understanding of life after finishing. (I had to write one more word)

Profile Image for Liesbeth.
385 reviews5 followers
July 8, 2014
Lovely lovely book.
Won't tell you much you don't already know, but puts it all together simply and beautifully.
Profile Image for Benjamin Barnes.
823 reviews12 followers
May 8, 2015
A good book

It's free so I can't complain it was short and taught a little about Buddhism and how to live. I enjoyed reading this.
5 reviews
March 28, 2017
Insight in the form of prose

There are sections in this book which I will read to the members of the Sangha prior too our sit
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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