"The 'World's Happiest Man' Shares His Three Rules for Life" is an interview by New York Times staffer David Marchese with Matthieu Ricard.

On Ricard's three secrets of happiness:

First, there's no secret. Second, there's not just three points. Third, it takes a whole life, but it is the most worthy thing you can do.

On why compassion should be given universally, even toward the most evil people in the world:

... compassion is to remedy suffering wherever it is, whatever form it takes and whoever causes it. So what is the object of compassion here? It is the hatred and the person under its power. If someone beats you with a stick, you don't get angry with the stick — you get angry with the person. These people we are talking about are like sticks in the hands of ignorance and hatred. We can judge the acts of a person at a particular time, but compassion is wishing that the present aspect of suffering and the causes of suffering may be remedied.

On the need to work on sources of suffering at the systemic level:

Delusion is a cause of suffering. If you could get rid of that, that will alleviate suffering in many forms.

On learning to control one's emotions:

... happiness is a skill. It can be deeper, more present in your mental landscape. We deal with our mind from morning to evening, but we spend very little attention on improving the way we translate outer conditions, good or bad, into happiness or misery. And it's crucial, because that's what determines our day-to-day experience of the world!

On a helpful thought to remember throughout life:

If you can, as much as possible, cultivate that quality of human warmth, wanting genuinely for other people to be happy; that's the best way to fulfill your own happiness. This is also the most gratifying state of mind. ... If we try humbly, with some happiness, to enhance our benevolence, that will be the best way to have a good life.

On the best advice ever given to Ricard by the Dalai Lama:

"In the beginning, meditate on compassion; in the middle, meditate on compassion; in the end, meditate on compassion."

... all such wonderful wisdom!

_{(cf Pursuit of Happiness (2008-11-19), Happiness Buffer (2013-12-22), Lovingkindness - The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (2015-07-12), Happiness Is (2015-07-28), I Want Happiness (2015-12-04), Mantra - Happiness Is (2018-03-20), ...) - ^z - 2023-08-14}