Without resorting to jargon or religious doctrine of any kind, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk, shows that happiness is not bestowed on us by fortune, or by external circumstances, but is a skill that can be developed by patient effort and perseverance. Having been won, happiness is a gift that will survive whatever experiences life may bring us.
Sharing many practical exercises as well as his rich personal experiences in the pursuit of happiness, Matthieu Ricard answers all kinds of questions that perplex us daily: how, for instance, do we strip negative emotions of their power over us without becoming insensitive to the world or consigning them to the depths of the unconscious where they will simply fester? Bringing together the teachings of Eastern and Western thought, Matthieu helps us form new patterns of interaction with ourselves and with the larger world, working towards happiness step by step. Convincing and wise, this is an important book that you may want to add to your collection.