"But is happiness a reasonable goal for most of us? Is it really possible?" "Yes. I believe that happiness can be achieved through training the mind." [page 14] The Dalai Lama goes on to explain that "mind" in this context is a poor translation of the Tibetan word Sem, which "includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind". The method he describes sounds very Western: "One begins by identifying those factors which lead to happiness and those factors which lead to suffering. Having done this, one then sets about gradually eliminating those factors which lead to suffering and cultivating those factors which lead to happiness." [page 15]
"Isn't a life based on seeking personal happiness by nature self-centered, even self indulgent? Not necessarily. In fact, survey after survey has shown that it is unhappy people who tend to be the most self-focused." [pages 16-17]