Sometimes called the "happiest man in the world," Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, author and photographer.
Why you should listen
His deep and scientifically tinged reflections on happiness and Buddhism have turned into several books, including The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet. At the same time, he also makes sensitive and jaw-droppingly gorgeous photographs of his beloved Tibet and the spiritual hermitage where he lives and works on humanitarian projects.
His latest book on happiness is Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill; his latest book of photographs is Tibet: An Inner Journey.
What others say
Matthieu Ricard, French translator and right-hand man for the Dalai Lama, has been the subject of intensive clinical tests at the University of Wisconsin, as a result of which he is frequently described as the happiest man in the world.
Matthieu Ricard’s TED Talks
More news and ideas from Matthieu Ricard
We humans
Want to be happy? Slow down
January 23, 2015
In this free-wheeling discussion at TED Global in October 2014, Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard talked with journalist and writer Pico Iyer about how to spend time meaningfully.
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Bold expeditions: A recap of session 12 of TEDGlobal 2014
October 10, 2014
In the final session of TEDGlobal 2014, Mighty spaces, we take four journeys — three to great expanses in the world, and one into our minds and hearts: A low blue haze lights the stage as choreographer Aakash Odedra spins slowly. The light grows and his dance picks up — a mix of classical Indian […]
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Mighty Spaces: A sneak peek of session 12 at TEDGlobal 2014
October 10, 2014
This session presents speakers who are at home in awe-inspiring places. These bold explorers come bearing discoveries from the tundra and the rainforest, from beneath the ocean’s surface, and even from that most elusive of mighty spaces — the happy human heart. The speakers who’ll appear in this final session of the conference: Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard has […]
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