Khenchen Rinpoche + Oliver Burkeman

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Presented in association with Grand Editorial
In his new book The Antidote, Oliver Burkeman posits that ‘positive thinking’ and relentless optimism aren’t the solution to our unhappiness, but part of the problem. The writer engages with Tibetan lamaKhenchen “Khenpo” Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche to test his theory that there is a ‘negative’ path to success.
Tickets to this program include gallery admission and an optional guided post-talk tour at 4:35 p.m.

Praise for The Antidote
“A fascinating, wide-ranging exploration of negativity, positivity, failure, success and what it means to be happy…..often reads like a more nuanced, erudite version of the writings of Malcolm Gladwell and Jonah Lehrer. Burkeman places a psychological theory at the center and then builds outward. Here, the author begins by poking gentle fun at the shelves of “by your bootstraps” optimism-laden positivity books and the motivational seminars that offer a secret, answer or formula. Burkeman quickly pivots to the underlying structure of the book, which is a thoughtful examination of the various alternatives to the optimism-at-all-costs approach. His research yields some surprising, counterintuitive results….exploring the benefits of keeping an open mind and not careening wildly toward some type of narrowly defined idea. This broad approach toward harnessing our “negative capability” deserves wide readership; the author’s non-prescriptive message has the potential to effect genuine, lasting changes for people who find happiness just out of reach.” – Kirkus Review

About the Speakers

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche was born in 1954 in southern Tibet and fled with his family to Bhutan and India in 1962. Entering a monastery at the age of ten, he was enthroned as a Nyingma khenpo, or professor, by Pema Norbu Rinpoche. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso has received all of the major lineage empowerments and transmissions of the Nyingmapa school. His open, direct, and thorough style has made Khen Rinpoche an effective teacher in America, in Taiwan, and among the overseas Chinese communities in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. At the Rubin he has previously conducted two sold-out Living Mandala experiences.
Oliver Burkeman is a journalist for the British newspaper The Guardian, currently writing features for G2. He is a winner of the Foreign Press Association’s Young Journalist of the Year award, and has been shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. His book prior to The Antidote is HELP! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done.