What is the essence of human happiness? It’s a question that has intrigued humanity for centuries. Ron Gutman, a Stanford adjunct professor, serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and award-winning inventor, has dedicated a significant portion of his career to understanding it. Known for his widely viewed TED Talk from 2011, *”The Hidden Power of Smiling,”* Gutman took his research to the next level with a trip to Bhutan in October 2024, hoping to uncover insights on happiness from the South Asian kingdom where well-being is prioritized over economic growth.
Journeying Through Bhutan
In October, Gutman embarked on a three-week exploration of Bhutan, a country often called the Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the eastern Himalayas. Accompanied by academics, clergy, and local guides, Gutman trekked across the country’s rugged landscape, absorbing the Bhutanese way of life and their understanding of happiness. Bhutan is notable for its focus on “Gross National Happiness,” a concept coined in the 1970s by Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The king asserted, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product,” as quoted in a recent OECD report. This philosophy of prioritizing collective happiness and well-being over economic advancement distinguishes Bhutan on the world stage.
“Going deep into understanding happiness led me to researching Bhutan, because they put an emphasis on this,” Gutman explained in an interview with CNBC Make It. He added, “It made me want to understand it from their vantage point, right? So, [I wanted] to go and listen to them, to the people that have been getting this knowledge, from generation to generation for many [years].”
Most of Gutman’s journey was a physically demanding climb through Bhutan’s high-altitude terrain, traveling mostly on foot or by local means. The elevation ranged from around 1,000 feet to nearly 14,000 feet, offering him ample opportunity to immerse himself in Bhutan’s serene and awe-inspiring natural environment.
Bhutan’s Unique Connection to Nature
Environmental sustainability is deeply embedded in Bhutan’s national identity. The country is the world’s first “carbon-negative” nation, a status helped by its extensive forests, which cover over 70% of the country. A 2023 report highlights how this dedication to conservation has shaped Bhutan’s policies and practices. Gutman observed, “They’re very mindful of nature, very protective of nature… It’s sacred for them. You can’t cut a tree without getting a very special permit.”
For many Bhutanese, the bond with nature is more profound than simple respect; it is foundational to their identity. Gutman noted how locals perceive their lives as not merely connected to nature but as emanating from it. This deeply ingrained belief reflects Bhutan’s commitment to safeguarding its natural environment as a crucial component of its philosophy on happiness and well-being.
The Key to Happiness: Simplicity
So, what is the key to happiness? For Gutman, the answer lies in simplicity. He discovered during his time in Bhutan that happiness is closely tied to mindfulness, which can often be found through a connection with nature. Gutman observed, “The more I progress in the research of happiness, the more I personally understand it better, the more I connect it to mindfulness.”
He realized, by observing Bhutanese people and conversing with local religious figures, that happiness is rooted in mindfulness. In his view, modern culture often fosters a fixation on external stimuli, which can become overwhelming. “In modern culture, we’re very concentrated on what’s happening outside. There’s a lot of stimulus that is coming at us …. At some point, we become almost prisoners of that,” he said. In contrast, nature, Gutman reflected, has a calming effect: “Nature creates the exact opposite …. Nature is just there, it just happens.”
Gutman describes this discovery as a revelation about the “empty self.” Just as nature exists in a state of tranquility, so too can human consciousness, he argues. Whether resting beside a secluded lake or hurrying through a bustling city, Gutman believes that our consciousness remains inherently calm and unchanged. He remarked, “We basically choose to get stressed by all these sensory emotions… [because] actually, the inside of us is calm and empty, right? Nature helps see that and understand that.”
Bhutan’s Challenges
However, despite its strengths, Bhutan faces numerous challenges. Only recently did Bhutan leave the UN’s Least Developed Countries category in December. The nation’s GDP per capita was approximately $3,700 in 2022, according to World Bank figures. “We look at it as maybe poverty — low GDP,” Gutman explained. Yet, he was struck by the happiness he observed among Bhutanese citizens, despite their relative lack of material wealth. “It’s not an easy life because these are not wealthy people, but they’re happy,” he said.
The Bhutanese government has been actively working to improve the economy while maintaining its values of environmental sustainability and Gross National Happiness. Policies like a daily tourism fee are one way Bhutan tries to uphold its guiding principles. Gutman believes that Bhutan’s balance between progress and tradition exemplifies a unique approach to growth. “It’s a country that demonstrates how you can innovate without forgetting the ancient wisdom that has supported them for centuries,” he said.
Lessons from Bhutan’s Approach
Gutman’s experience in Bhutan highlighted for him the importance of balancing innovation with tradition. Many developed nations, he observed, often prioritize rapid development and constant change, leaving behind some foundational values. He explained, “When we rush towards the innovation, the new thing, doing things faster, better, easier, cheaper … The thing is, we forget to take with us this very solid foundation that keeps the core very strong. So we’re building a little bit on water.”
According to Gutman, the Bhutanese model shows that slower progress, grounded in strong ethics and mindfulness, can create a more resilient society. He pointed out, “And I think what Bhutanese are doing really well … is keeping that strong core of beliefs, of morals, of ethics, of mindfulness as the foundation of how they make progress. So progress is, sure, slower, but more solid, right? And, I think that’s something to learn from them.”
Conclusion: A Path to Inner Calm
Through his journey, Gutman gained valuable insights on the simplicity of happiness. In Bhutan, he encountered a culture that values mindfulness, a connection with nature, and a slower, more deliberate approach to progress. Gutman left with a sense of admiration for Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its environment, traditions, and focus on Gross National Happiness, offering the world a unique perspective on well-being that contrasts sharply with many developed nations.
In an era dominated by a relentless drive for economic advancement, Gutman’s experience in Bhutan serves as a reminder that happiness might not come from pursuing more but rather from embracing less. The “empty self” and the simplicity found in nature and mindfulness, Gutman argues, could offer a more profound understanding of happiness for those willing to look inward instead of outward.