Early childhood, where futures begin

Science has shown it: from birth, long before learning the rules of the world, children are already naturally altruistic, cooperative, and open to others. This is not a value to be taught to them, but a disposition they already carry within. But this window is short. Between ages 0 and 5, everything is shaped.

This is exactly where Karuna-Shechen works in India and Nepal, alongside teachers and families, to provide them with the tools and resources that enable every child to grow in the best possible conditions. What Matthieu Ricard defends in his writings, Karuna-Shechen builds, classroom after classroom, family after family.
Matthieu Ricard and Sunita Sharma explain why these years are so decisive.

Excerpts from Matthieu Ricard’s book –Altruism (NiL Éditions, 2013) When Social Norms Temper Spontaneous Altruism According to Warneken and Tomasello, in order for altruistic behavior to be maintained over the course of generations, it must be associated with mechanisms that protect individuals against exploitation by each other. The psychologist Dale Hay quotes Machiavelli: “A prince…

Excerpts from Matthieu Ricard’s book –Altruism (NiL Éditions, 2013) “ More recent research from the team of Michael Tomasello and Felix Warneken has shown that very young children spontaneously offered to help an experimenter complete various tasks— ​­bringing the experimenter an object that had fallen to the floor, for instance— ​­and they did so without…

To accompany the release of his book Lumière, published by Éditions Allary, Matthieu Ricard is offering a series of blogs on photography. An invitation to share wonder, celebrate the beauty of the world, and continue the quest for light that has guided him throughout his sixty-year journey. This final article concludes this inspiring series. Blend into…