Friday, September 3, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 5
New book offers path to peace
Seek happiness author advocates
By Clare McLellan Kansan book critic
At one point in our lives, and perhaps throughout them, most of us stop to ponder the purpose of life. In Howard C. Cutler's book "The Art of Happiness, a Handbook for Living," this tireless question is answered in one line.
"Our purpose in life is to seek happiness."
This concept was revealed to the author through extensive interviews with the Dalai Lama and is the basis of his Buddhist teachings.
Unlike a traditional book on Buddhism detailing how to become Buddist, Cutler wrote "The Art of Happiness" specifically so that it could be applied to any person, regardless of religion. In fact, he scarcely mentions spirituality and religion until the final chapter. The book also is not a traditional self help book, nor is it merely a list of things to be happy about.
Book review
The majority of Cutler's book relays conversations between the author and the Dalai Lama at His Holiness's home in Dharamsala, India, and a series of public talks that he gave in 1993 in Arizona.
In this book, Cutter reveals the Dalai Lama's methods to attain happiness, from adopting an attitude of compassion for all people that readers meet to turning seemingly negative situations into positive ones from which readers can benefit.
The Dalai Lama's suggestions often seem quite simple, but the power behind them is far from simplistic.
For example, the Dalai Lama says he never gets lonely because of his deep compassion for everyone he meets. Therefore, a connection is possible because of shared humanity.
But Cutler questions His Holiness's wisdom from a Western standpoint throughout the book. In each conversation, the author asks for clarification on how the Dalai Lama's philosophy could apply to
the masses, not just those who follow Buddhist teachings.
The result is a book filled with eye opening ideas on how to lead a happier life. Many of the suggestions involve simply training the mind to see things from different angles and accept different viewpoints, even if readers disagree.
One section deals with transforming suffering into benefit. The Dalai Lama advises readers to use their enemies as opportunities to practice patience and tolerance. "In fact, the enemy is the necessary condition for practicing patience," he said "Without an enemy's action, there is no possibility for patience or tolerance to arise."
This line of reasoning may initially seem unrealistic, even impossible, but Cutler writes that these ideas will transform into action.
At times, the book is somewhat repetitive and seems to drag on in certain topics. Also, the author beats some of the points to a pulp with virtually the same responses from the Dalai Lama appearing in different contexts.
in learning about the Dalai Lama's life and practices, fundamental
thoughts on how to live a happier life come to light so lucidly that it is truly inspirational.
—Edited by Ronnie Wachter
Grade: B+
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Price: $22.95
Number of Pages: 315
Action and humor spark Chill Factor
Kansas movie critic
By Brendan Walsh
Fans of action movies won't be disappointed in first-time director Hugh Johnson's Chill Factor. With more melodrama then a month's worth of Days of Our Lives, the movie is hardly a departure from your typical thriller. But with the likable Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Skeet Ulrich starring, Chill Factor offers more humor than the average action movie.
The movie's beginning takes place 10 years before things really get started. On a remote Pacific atoll, the U.S. Army is testing chemical weapons when a last-minute experiment goes awry, killing 18 servicemen. Only a scientist, a military officer and a very deadly chemical
are left behind. Major Andrew Brynner (Parish Firth) is sentenced to 10 years in Fort Leavenworth for allowing his men to be killed, while inventor Dr. Richard Long (David Paymer) gets off the hook.
Movie Review
Jump forward 10 years. Long spends most of his time trout fishing in rural Montana, hanging out with the local general store clerk, Tim Mason (Skeet Ulrich). Maj. Brynner is released from prison, and judging by his attitude, his time in the pen didn't consist of relaxing trout fishing. He is irate and has decided to get his vengeance by obtaining the chemical weapon that got him in trouble and selling it to the highest bidder.
Brynnner and his team of chic young bandits invade a military base in pursuit of the chemical, but succeed only in shooting the good doctor. Recognizing the fate of the world is at stake, the severely injured Long grabs the chemical, drives to town and puts his buddy Tim in charge of the weapon just before giving up the ghost. It turns out that the chemical must be kept cold, below 50 degrees. Luckily enough, ice cream delivery guy Arlo (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) happens to be in the store, so they toss the weapon in the truck's freezer and cruise off with the criminals in hot pursuit.
Chill Factor writers Drew Gittin and Mike Mcheda have a gift for hyperbole, exclamation points, and the use of a thesaurus — the word
compunctious is used on two separate occasions. By the end of the movie, audiences are supposed to be rooting for the military to keep this weapon away from terrorists. However, there's never any mention of the irony that we're rooting for the same organization that came up with this terrible device in the first place. Still, it's an action movie, and that's never a genre with a lot of moralizing.
— Edited by Brad Hallier.
Film facts
Rating: R
Grade: B-
Where: Southwind 12,3433 Iowa St.
Lawrence, KU auction Web site goes online
Bv Derek Prater
By Derek Prater
writer@kanon.com
Kanon staff writer
University of Kansas students now have another option for shopping, selling their stuff, or making living arrangements with an online auction service aimed at the Lawrence community and the University.
licity for Village Auction.com.
JayhawkAuction.com hit the Web on Aug. 20 along with 21 other university-oriented auction sites. VillageAuction.com launched the sites, using its own server, for schools across the country.
The idea originated at Penn State University with students who used eBay.com, a national auction service, and saw the potential for similar sites focused specifically on college towns, said Jim Szewc, Penn State student and director of recruitment and pub-
As of now, there is nothing on JayhawkAuction.com to bid on. Szwec said that the corporation was getc set to launch a publicity campaign and that he expected the site to be busy within a month and to average between 50 and 100 auctions a month.
Test sites were launched at Penn State and Cornell University in April and were more successful than expected, Szewc said. Between June 1 and July 30, the site at Penn State had 20,000 hits, according to Szewc.
Sara Nutt, Lawrence junior, said that although she thought an online auction service was not something she would use regularly, it might be good for specific needs such as concert tickets and apartment leases.
"I think it might go over well, especially in Lawrence where everybody
wants to unload something," Nutt said.
Jason Tinsley, Lawrence senior,
said that he had visited auction sites
on several occasions but was wary of
making purchases.
"I am really hesitant about new auction services," Tinsley said. "I'd go to something that is reliable and is going to give you information about the seller."
JayhawkAuction.com's user agreement states that the site is only a venue for sellers to auction items. The company does not become involved in actual transactions and cannot guarantee that information provided by users is not fraudulent.
Szewc said that the company policed its sites as best it could and used a feedback system, whereby users who received multiple complaints could be suspended or
banned.
Keeping the service local was the best protection against fraud, he said.
"The good thing about the community setting is that you can meet the people you're dealing with," Szewc said. "I'm not saying it won't happen at all, but you have a lot less chance of being scammed."
JayhawkAuction.com is free for both buyers and sellers and makes its money by selling advertising on its Web site.
The goal of VillageAuction.com is to have 200 university sites eventually, Szewc said.
— Edited by Jennifer Roush
STIROFECHOES
ARTISAN ENTERTAINMENT A HOPFELUNO/POLONIE KEVIN BACON "STIR OF LEGENDS"
KATHRYN ERBE ILLANA DOUGLAS KEVIN DUNN CASTING BY JAMES COQUINOH MUSIC BY JAMES NEWTON HOWARD COSTUME DESIGNER LEEA EVANS
EDITED BY SILVITA PRODUCTION DESIGNER NELSON CONTE DESIGNER OF PHOTOGRAPHY FRED MURPHY AS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHELE WEISLER
CAVIN DUNN AND JUDI HOFFELUNO, BASED ON THE NOVEL 'STIR OF LEGENDS' OF RICHARD MATHESON WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN AND DAVID KOEPP
© 1999 Artin Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
www.stirofechoes.com
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
KEVIN BACON
ARTISAN
FDOS
Safeguarding Digital Information
ARTISAN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A HOFFLUND/POLONE PRODUCTION KEVIN BACON "STIR OF ECHOS"
COMING TO THEATRES EVERYWHERE SEPTEMBER 10TH
We Buy, Sell &Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment
FIRMWARE
All Shows Only 2+ Purchase Tickets at the SUA Box Office Level 4, KS Union
-Brother Roger of Taize
EVERYTHING BUT ICE
BEDS * DESKS
CHEST OF DRAWERS * BOOK CASES
unclaimed freight & damaged merchandise
"God could do without our prayer. It"s a mystery that God sets such store by it."
A Taize Worship Service
SUA FILMS
Student Bodies "R"
Fri, Midnight
Sunday, Sept. 5
5:00 p.m.
St. Anselm's Chapel
Episcopal/Lutheran
STUDENT UNION ACTIVITIES
SUK
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Campus Center 1116 Louisiana (Between 11th & 12th)
864-3477 · 864-SHOW
www.ukans.edu/~sua
Taizé worship and its simple meditative music developed in the Taizé Community,in southern France. It is an ecumenical community of lay & ordained men and women from all over the world dedicated to peace, openness and reconciliation.
Election "R"
Fri, 7 and 9:30 pm
If you are interested in simple, meditative worship dedicated to seeking God without moral prescriptions, doctrinal decrees or the trappings of organized religion, please join us. Dinner follows at 6:00 p.m.
Open Bowling
R
RESPONSE
TAXABLE
CATEGORY
1. ITS USE IN BUSINESS
2. ITS USE IN PERSONAL
3. ITS USE IN NON-BUSINESS
Level 1 • Kansas Union* 864-3545
Hollywood Theaters
| BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () |
| STADium SEATING + ALL DIGITAL |
1 The Blair Wish Watch Project** 1:45 4.45,70-10,95
2 Duxley Doe Right** 1:50 4.65,50-10,95
3 The Muse** 1:00 4.20,65-9,20
4 Mickey Blue Eyes** 1:20 4.20,75-9,45
5 Chill Factor** 1:00 4.00,70-8,25
6 The Sink Strength** 1:30 4.40,70-8,25
7 The 13th Warrior** 1:15 4.50,70-10,30
8 Bowlinger** 1:35 4.75,50-9,50
9 Runaway Bride** 1:05 4.15,70-9,30
10 The Astronaut's Wife** 1:55 4.15,70-9,20
11 The Outside Crown Affair** 1:10 4.10,75-9,25
12 Outside Providence** 1:20 4.25,75-9,40
SOUTHWIND 12 3433 10WA
832 832 080
Sat & Sun 5:28 Daily
1 The Iron Giant™ 2:45 4:55
— Teach Miss Mira Tingle™ 7:15 9:30
2 Dear Ted™ 7:50 9:30
— A dog of Fawns™ 2:05 4:35
3 Inspector Gadget™ 2:20 4:50 7:25
4 Too Deep™ 2:15 4:50 7:45
5 Mystery Men™ 2:00 4:30 7:00
6 American Pie™ 2:10 4:40 7:10
- NO VIP. IP. PASSES & SAVESAVERS
SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY
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