A Dialogue With The Dalai Lama.
Why do seemingly rational, intelligent people commit acts of cruelty and violence? What are the root causes of destructive behaviour? How can we control the emotions that drive these impulses? Can we learn to live at peace with ourselves and others?
In March 2000 a small group of world-class scientists and philosophers sat down with the Dalai Lama to discuss these age-old questions which have such compelling urgency for the future of the world. Daniel Goleman, the international bestselling author of 'Emotional Intelligence', tells the story of this fascinating exchange, provides an illuminating commentary - and reports on the breakthrough research this historic gathering inspired.
Buddhist philosophy tells us that all personal unhappiness and interpersonal conflict lies in the "three poisons": craving, anger and delusion. It also provides antidotes of astonishing psychological sophistication - which are now being confirmed by modern neuroscience.
With the latest equipment, scientists can peer inside the parts of the brain that can calm the inner storms of rage and fear. They also demonstrate that awareness-training strategies such as meditation can strengthen emotional stability and greatly enhance our positive moods.
The distinguished panel members report these recent findings and debate an exhilarating range of other topics: What role do destructive emotions play in human evolution? Are they "hardwired" into our bodies? Are they universal, or does culture determine how we feel? How can we nurture the compassion that is the distinguishing characteristic of being human?
We learn how practices that reduce negativity have also bee shown to bolster the immune system, and discover a programme of emotional learning that can help us increase self-awareness, manage our anger, and become more empathetic.
Throughout, these provocative ideas are brought to life by the play of personalities, by the Dalai Lama's probing questions, and by his surprising sense of humour. There are no easy answers but these dialogues chart an ultimately hopeful course.
