In Search of Wisdom

Starred review from April 9, 2018
In this wide-ranging series of enlightening conversations, three prominent thinkers share what they have learned about facing suffering, achieving happiness, helping others, and following their “deepest aspirations.” French-born Ricard (Altruism) gave up a career in molecular genetics to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk and is commonly referred to as the happiest man in the world; French psychiatrist André (Happiness) brings mindfulness approaches to his work; and Jollien (In Praise of Weakness), a Christian and student of Zen, is a Swiss philosopher whose thought has been shaped by his cerebral palsy. Despite varied life experiences and interests, the three have far more commonalities than differences. (“Every moment of life can become the occasion for liberation—because we are not born free, we become free.”) Much of their discussion is grounded in key ideas from positive psychology (“Positive emotions revive our openness and renew our ability to relate with others”) mindfulness, and Buddhism (“Ignorance is a kind of addiction of which we endlessly create the causes”). Using examples from their daily lives, the participants bring clarity and subtlety to bear on familiar topics such as compassion, gratitude, and nonviolence; roaming freely, they also investigate timely subjects such as listening without judgment, living according to one’s ideals, and responsibly exercising freedom of thought, speech, and action. Each chapter concludes with brief advice from the three on the topic at hand. The conversations in this sprawling feast of ideas offer a model of engaged dialogue based on mutual regard.