This man has been recognized as the happiest man in the world. Discovering Mathieu Ricard’s secret

Before becoming a monk, Mathieu Ricard was a genetic scientist, but decided to leave his career to unlock the mysteries of Buddhism. He is now one of the most revered monks in the Himalayas, as well as a trusted advisor to the Dalai Lama.

In 1972, Mathieu decided to gradually abandon the scientific research and intellectual debates in which he was immersed, and to approach the more spiritual side of life. He began his journey with India, where he later moved to follow the teachings of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, considered one of the best Buddhist masters of the 20th century.

Neurocoach

“Writer, photographer and Buddhist monk. This man is officially recognized as the happiest person in the world. Scientists conducted a study and discovered that his brain produces a level of gamma waves never before observed in neurobiology. So how does it work? I propose to be inspired by Mathieu Ricard’s story and break down the mechanisms of finding happiness, which, in his own opinion, are available to each of us.”

How did Mathieu Ricard become the happiest?

Mathieu Ricard took part in a scientific study of happiness among a large group of people who practiced meditation on a regular basis.

Neurologist Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin attached 256 sensors to the Buddhist monk’s head to collect data on his brain. The study found that Mathieu is the happiest person in the world. Ricard scored – 4.5 points, while 3.0 points already signify immense happiness.

The study found that when a person is in a meditative state, the object of which is compassion or empathy, their brain is able to generate levels of gamma waves never before recorded in relation to attention, learning and memory.

The scans performed revealed that the left hemisphere of his brain was much more active than the right hemisphere, recording an unusual tendency towards positivity and happiness amidst a minimal tendency towards negativity. This demonstrates the phenomenal neuroplasticity of Mathieu Ricard’s brain.

What advice does Mathieu Ricard give?

At the end of the experiment, fame came to the monk, which he was not looking for at all. Ricard asked the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, to let him remove himself from the hustle and bustle, but the latter replied that humanity needed Ricard’s guidance. “Since they want you to be the happiest person, be it,” the Dalai Lama said.

Back in the West after spending 26 years in India, Mathieu Ricard shows people how meditation can act on the human brain, harmonizing it and bringing it closer to a happy state.

When asked how ordinary people can become happier, Ricard says that benevolence and altruism contribute. He also recommended setting aside 15 minutes a day to think about good things and stop comparing oneself to others.

According to him, meditation changes the brain, which means it transforms you completely. He assures that everyone can become like him if they learn to let their thoughts float free.

Mathieu Ricard has written two books, The Monk and the Philosopher, with his father, the philosopher Jean-François Revel. These are dialogues on the meaning of life. And a book called The Art of Meditation, which explains how and why everyone should master meditation.

How does it work? Neurocoaching breakdown

At the heart of the brain’s ability to focus on the good and let go of the bad, as practiced by Mathieu Ricard in his meditations, is neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. It allows the nerve cells that make up our brains to adjust their functioning in response to changes in the environment.

The brain is able to change its structure and functioning through a person’s thoughts and actions. To do this, it is important to develop flexibility in one’s thinking and perception. Brain plasticity gives us the ability to overcome mental barriers that prevent us from moving beyond the established order of things, adapt to new situations, improvise and apply new strategies.

When we meditate, various types of neuroplasticity take place in our brain. These changes can be measured and recorded using MRI, a technique that allows us to see changes in white matter connections, which are important for connecting different parts of the brain.

During meditation, the responsiveness of different parts of the brain also changes. Some of them increase in volume while others decrease. This indicates that changes are indeed taking place. The meditating person feels it, and the technician records it.

The formation of new neurons and neuroplasticity is also negatively affected by stress. Scientists have evidence that neurogenesis is impeded in depressed people. This is often due to prolonged exposure to stress and multi-tasking. Meditation allows you to relax, relieve the state of tension in the body and mind, and start the process of neurogenesis.

In addition to meditation, neuroplasticity of the brain is improved by learning foreign languages, traveling with immersion in an unfamiliar environment and culture, as well as exploring and remembering smells, getting to know people, learning new sports and various activities.