I think I mentioned, I chaired the Happiness & It’s Causes Conference in Brisbane on Friday. I know a few of you were there. It really was very special…Big minds, big hearts, grappling with all the stuff that counts. Lots of stuff on using our minds for good, chimps and peace (ergo the cute-as pic below).

There were a few highlights…things that got me thinking.

On creativity…

Matthieu Ricard (the man known as The Happiest Man in The World) sat with me in the Green Room, leant over and said, “I find this idea of ‘creativity’ weird”. How so? “There’s no Tibetan word for creativity…it’s a peculiar Western obsession.” He didn’t say too much more on this. Basically, he was saying that it’s odd that we separate creativity from the act of giving. I guess it is funny that we have this need to…to think we must delineate our creations, rather than just offer them.

I’m in “Dalai Lama” land right now. Yesterday I interviewed him and we had a giggle. Tomorrow I’m chairing the Happiness & It’s Causes conference where he’s the guest speaker.

In this shot (with the crew) he’s squeezing my hand over and over. And kept winking.

Then, a few hours later, in the hotel lobby where I was working on my laptop, he and his entourage flurried by and he gave me a double thumbs up and a big grin. It cracked me up.

Some of you have asked “what is he like”. It sounds sappy, but his energy is very magical. In an ordinary way. He doesn’t try, he doesn’t force, he doesn’t judge. He’s “a simple Buddhist monk” who gets it, gets us…this is a skill. A quality. He is able to tap into the Western malaise and give us the right kind of comfort (see my last interview with him 18 months ago to read what he says about our frantic efforts to “still the mind”…his response says it all).

I feel very, very lucky.

PS. I also had a lovely, warm chat with Matthieu Ricard today. It’s been all about the monks!

Hey all, I’m chairing next year’s Happiness & Its Causes conference 16-17 June 2011 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre…the day His Holiness the Dalai Lama is speaking (he’s not speaking in Sydney this time). As a special offer I’m able to offer all you lot 15 % discount off the early bird price which closes on the 23 December.

You’ll need to call customer service on 02 8719 5118 and quote “SPEAKER” to claim the discount. The conference program, full list of speakers and brochure are available on www.happinessanditscauses.com.au

His Holiness will take part in the Science of Mind Forum with pioneering emotions researcher Dr Paul Ekman and leading mirror neurons and empathy researcher Professor Marco Iacoboni;  and internationally renowned mental health researcher and Australian of the Year 2010, Professor Pat McGorry. Other speakers confirmed include renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall;