Opening Ceremony: From Wisdom to Action | Matthieu Ricard | Keynote x ChangeNOW2023

Intelligence is important: it took us to where we are now. But wisdom and compassion are even more critical: they will drive us to where we need to go in order to live in a sustainable world. To start ChangeNOW 2023 fully charged with inspiration, explore your own path with Matthieu Ricard, buddhist monk and founder of the NGO Karuna Schechen.
Speaker(s):
Matthieu Ricard, Founder, Karuna-Shechen
This conference was filmed during ChangeNOW, the largest event of solutions for the planet, in Paris from 25 to 27 May 2023 for its 6th edition. The three-day summit will bring together over 35,000 of the world’s leading policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, companies, NGOs, and citizens to address pressing issues around climate, resources, biodiversity, and inclusion
Learn more at www.changenow.world

[@monicaberto882]

Since discovering Matthieu Ricard I cannot get him out of my mind because he epitomises all that is sincerely good about human beings; he has helped me to start appreciating that we can all change for the better and that in the process of doing so help ourselves as well as others...simply amazingly kind person. Wish I'd had him as my father...what a role model for any age. Thank you, Matthieu...you so inspire me to make our world a happier one where we want happiness for everyone.

[@hellabella8295]

My father was born enlightened.. and I didn’t realise it fully.. I KNEW my father was special and always described him as the closest thing to Jesus Christ walking around today.. because he NEVER said a bad word about anyone even though he experienced racism and was a refugee.. and had a hard life.. he never complained about anything and was always funny and calm.. I broke up with a Boyfriend but spoke to him a lot on the phone and one day after visiting my father, he asked me if my father asked about him and I laughed because my father NEVER ASKED QUESTIONS.. if I visited him in a Lamborghini covered in diamonds he would not care or ask questions because all he cared about was the visit and being with me at that time. I then realised how different he was although I already knew.. but he was even more different than I thought. He loved working and was good at EVERYTHING.. he was the most patient man on the planet and his attitude to death was amazing and he laughed at it.. and was genuinely not worried about death.. not at all.. I drove him to the hospital for a triple bypass surgery and I asked him if he was scared and he laughed and said ‘we won’t get off this world alive’ in his joking nature.. laughing.. then he said of course I’m not scared, scared of what.. My mother was a vicious alcoholic and he was the most patient man with her.. and I have learnt to be absolutely happy and I find joy everyday of my life.. even though now, I myself don’t have many years left.. Happiness is easy when we let go of useless emotions like jealousy..etc.. Sorry for ranting.. I should write a book.. and give it away..

[@PhilipLederer]

Wow

[@squamish4244]

Ricard has a PhD in molecular genetics, and it shows here and in much of his other work. I only wish he had addressed artificial intelligence and neurotechnology, which are just as powerful if not more powerful forces than climate change in the long run, and in combination have huge implications for radically accelerating the development of mental stability, empathy and compassion by precisely targeting the brain. Devices that do as much are already being worked on in many clinics. It is simply not practical to expect many millions or billions of people to start a meditation practice tomorrow, let alone one dedicated enough to truly change their characters. He did, however, casually mention that "trends in medicine" might mean that some people in the audience will still be alive in 100 years. Greatly extended longevity is something I've never actually heard any other Buddhist teacher directly address.