Altruism by Matthieu Ricard: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World is divided into short, cogent chapters, making it surprisingly accessible, despite its massive dimensions….The numerous individual stories [Ricard] recounts are inspiring and often downright gripping…. Altruism is a careful, detailed, hard-nosed assessment of what is needed both for individual happiness and for the welfare of the planet…an inspiring resource to be consulted over many years.– “Wall Street Journal”
In an age of political upheaval and economic uncertainty Ricard’s quiet and empathetic logic reveals the cultural importance of the contemporary kindness phenomenon.
The concern for the well-being of others could be the saving grace of the 21st century. Matthieu Ricard’s Altruism, an erudite, brilliantly ranging synthesis of philosophy, psychology and ages old wisdom, is a radical call to kindness, which has the potential as a new global movement to answer the biggest problems of our time: the economy in the short term, life satisfaction in the mid-term, and the environment in the long term.
As the faultlines of inequality and nationalism leave us ever more divided, Ricard challenges us to be better people – and in the process, make the world a better place.
Talks at Google | Altruism by Matthieu Ricard
Review
Matthieu Ricard brings together ancient wisdom and scientific insights to put forth a truly compelling global vision… His voice, his message and his wisdom are greatly needed ― Arianna Huffington
Matthieu Ricard is an extraordinary human being, whose luminous presence and gentle voice have a surprising effect: they compel respect for his benign view of life and make routine cynicism impossible. ― Daniel Kahneman
Matthieu Ricard is a genius for our times, a rare combination of scientific brilliance with the heart of a saint. ― Daniel Goleman
[A] life-changing volume.
— “San Francisco Chronicle”
[A] tour de force [that] brings together science, religion, and history to explore the nature of compassion.
— “Huffington Post”
Dan Woren’s vocal calmness and smooth phrasing create a compelling performance of this thoughtful book…Woren’s pacing has the distinctive quality of being slow and determined without sounding labored or overdramatic.
— “AudioFile”
Who better to tell us about altruism than a Buddhist monk and scientist, who has meditated so extensively on compassion that it has changed the left side of his brain? In a lively and personal account, Ricard takes us through the origins of empathy and altruism, explaining how biology laid the foundation, whereas culture and spirituality permit us to expand its reach.– “Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy”
Written with deep conviction and breathtaking scope, this is a must for anyone who wants to explore the human capacity for altruistic love and compassion, and the potential of this capacity to transform our lives. In conversation with Western philosophical and scientific perspectives, the book offers a Buddhist vision for extending altruism beyond its natural limits through carefully crafted meditation practices. The goal is, quite simply, to enable you and me, our society, and all sentient beings to experience less suffering and greater happiness. Could one desire more?– “Daniel Batson, author of Altruism in Humans”
About the Author
Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas thirty-five years ago. He is a bestselling author, translator and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives and works on humanitarian projects in Tibet and Nepal. Happiness was published by Atlantic Books in 2007.
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