7 Life-Changing Lessons from the World’s Happiest Man
How a Scientist-Turned-Monk Discovered the Secrets of Happiness
Matthieu Ricard is a French Buddhist monk, writer, and former scientist. Born in 1946, he left a career in molecular genetics to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Dubbed the "happiest man in the world," studies on his brain activity highlight the benefits of meditation. Ricard has authored books on happiness, compassion, and mindfulness, including Happiness and Altruism. He serves as the Dalai Lama’s translator and supports humanitarian projects in Nepal. His work bridges science and spirituality, promoting meditation, altruism, and inner peace.
I love his book Why Meditate: Working with Thoughts and Emotions. It convinced me to continue my meditation practice for ten years. I practice it twice a day for 11 minutes each session.
Here are 7 life-changing lessons from his book:
Happiness is a skill – You can train your mind to be happy, just like learning any new skill. It’s not about luck but daily practice.
Be kind, always – True happiness comes from helping others. The more you give, the more joy and peace you’ll feel.
Train your mind like a muscle – Exercise strengthens your body, and meditation and mindfulness make your mind clear and calm.
Let go of negative thoughts – Don’t fight anger or sadness. See them like passing clouds—temporary and not part of who you are.
Live simply and be grateful – The less you chase things you don’t need, the more you appreciate what you already have.
Stay present – Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. The only moment that truly matters is right now.
Choose love over fear – Fear makes life small, but love and compassion open the door to true happiness and peace.
“According to the philosopher Andre Comte-Sponville, The wise man has nothing left to expect or to hope for. Because he is entirely happy, he needs nothing. Because he needs nothing, he is entirely happy.” ― Matthieu Ricard
Watch his 20-minute TED talk on The habits of happiness.