Archive for 2015

Karuna-Shechen, our action to protect the environment

By Matthieu Ricard on November 30, 2015

With the COP 21 taking place in Paris, the tragic events that occurred in the French capital should give us even more determination to enhance our altruism and compassion and include the fate of future generations in our compassion. It has often been said that a politician thinks of the next election, while a Statesman of the next generation....

Escaping Hell Through Compassion

By Matthieu Ricard on November 18, 2015

"No matter who it is you meet, know that they have already walked several times through hell," writes French poet Christian Bobin. Our Parisian brothers and sisters, those who lost their lives, those who were seriously injured, their relatives and all those who were shocked by the tragedy in country that has been at peace for more than half a c...

The Path from Personal Transformation to Societal Change - Part 1

By Matthieu Ricard on November 11, 2015

Is human nature inherently egoistic or altruistic? Despite the violence and conflict that we constantly see in the media, studies show that violence has diminished continually over the past few centuries. Our everyday existence, too, is often filled with cooperation, friendship, affection and care. Scientific investigation over the last...

Caring Mindfulness

By Matthieu Ricard on October 29, 2015

The practice of mindfulness, based in particular on the method of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and has become immensely successful. Over the last 30 years, it has gained worldwide recognition and interest, not only in the clinical world where it was first applied, but also in educational systems an...

How Altruism Can Save the Planet - Part 2

By Matthieu Ricard on October 20, 2015

In July, Matthieu Ricard and Mark Tercek, president and CEO of Nature Conservancy and author of “Nature's Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature,” engaged in a question and answer dialogue about the benefits of altruism and environmental concerns. Part 2 Tercek: I admire the emphasis on no-nonsense science in your...

How Altruism Can Save the Planet - Part 1

By Matthieu Ricard on October 06, 2015

In July, Matthieu Ricard and Mark Tercek, president and CEO of Nature Conservancy and author of “Nature's Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature,” engaged in a question and answer dialogue about the benefits of altruism and environmental concerns Tercek: I love your new book, "Altruism," and how it dares people to ...

Sacred Dances, by Matthieu Ricard - 2

By Matthieu Ricard on August 25, 2015

During the public rehearsal of an annual festival of sacred dances at Shechen Monastery in Nepal, the dancers do not wear masks or costumes but add multicolored scarves to their monastic dress. Here, they practice the dance of one of the Eight manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava, Senge Drakdrok (Lion’s roar). 29 March 2015