Happiness as Human Flourishing

Published on July 20, 2017 In Press Reviews

A French-born Tibetan Buddhist monk and a central figure in the Dalai Lama’s dialogue with scientists, Matthieu Ricard was dubbed “The Happiest Man in the World” after his brain was imaged. But he resists this label. In his writing and in his life, he explores happiness...

Contemplating happiness with Matthieu Ricard

Published on July 02, 2017 In Press Reviews

Scientific studies have shown that you can train your brain to be more compassionate; and coupling compassion with altruism can generate a positive outlook in individuals and society. French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard—who used to be a biochemist—has been studying and practicing altruism for many years, and teaches the meditative techniques t...

The World's Happiest Man Wishes You Wouldn't Call Him That

Published on October 13, 2016 In Press Reviews

What if we told you there was a man who had unlocked the secret to human joy? That despite all the pain and suffering and bad news out there, a monk on a mountaintop in Nepal has discovered a kind of template for How to Be Happy ? We needed to meet “The Happiest Man in the World.” (Please don't call him that). So we sent Michael Paterniti to th...

Why I Am A Vegetarian

Published on October 07, 2016 In Press Reviews

“It just takes one second to decide to stop. The main reason not to eat meat and fish is to spare others’ lives. This is not an extreme perspective. This is a most reasonable and compassionate point of view.” — Matthieu Ricard

‘Waging War, Eating Meat, Capitalism – Evidence Of A Harrowing Lack Of Imagination’

Published on February 03, 2016 In Press Reviews

Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist who loves science more than incense, believes the logic of cooperation will, by a process of natural selection, eventually come to replace the logic of neoliberalism. With the government currently displaying less compassion than ever for vulnerable citizens, it was high time for a conversation with the author of “Alt...