“The Happiest Man on Earth”
Sea la vie
The Challenger Deep is the name given to the deepest part of the ocean, located at the southern end of the Mariana Trench. It was discovered during an expedition in 1875 and has an estimated depth of 39,994 feet. Located near Mariana Island, the Challenger Deep’s bottommost point is completely unaffected by happenings on the ocean’s surface. As the water, thousands of feet above, may experience 20-foot waves during tropical storms one day and look like a sheet of glass the next, the deep sea remains unchanged.
To Matthieu Ricard, this is happiness.
Matthieu Ricard, a French-born Tibetan Buddhist monk and author, is often referred to as “The Happiest Man on Earth.” Not just self-proclaimed, this title is based on scientific studies conducted by neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which found that Matthieu had the highest levels of happiness and well-being of any subject they had ever studied.
So, what’s the secret to Matthieu’s happiness?
According to him, happiness is not just a pleasurable sensation, but a deep sense of serenity that comes from living in the moment, practicing compassion, and cultivating a sense of gratitude. Matthieu has spent decades studying meditation and mindfulness, which has helped him develop a greater sense of inner peace and contentment. Much like we lift weights to build stronger biceps, Matthieu trains his brain to be more thankful, caring, and present.
In addition to the training of his mind, Matthieu attributes much of his happiness to altruism. He believes that helping others and contributing to the greater good is a key part of leading a fulfilling life. Matthieu had dedicated much of his time and energy to helping others, through his work with humanitarian organizations and his efforts to promote kindness in the world.
Perhaps the most important lesson Matthieu can offer us is that happiness is not something that can be attained through external means. It’s not generated from wealth, power, or status, but something we must achieve inside our minds. Although it takes practice to improve how your brain handles events, looking inward instead of outward can cure debilitating feelings such as hatred. Instead of dwelling on the person or event that led you to hatred, look at the thought of “hate” itself. In time, your mind will rid itself from hatred altogether. Much like the Challenger Deep however, many emotions will still exist on the surface. Just because someone is happy doesn’t mean they’re immune from feeling sadness, anger, guilt, or fear, but as you continue to train your brain, you deepen your ocean. The deeper your ocean, the more unlikely it becomes that emotional events on the surface negatively impact your inner peace.
Photo Credit:
A-Z-Animals.com
Shambhala Publications - Shambhala.com
Bob Hemphill - Fine Art America