The Art of Happiness

developing a deeper level of personal intimacywith others or with one special person, such as aspouse?”Without hesitation, he replied, “No. I neverfelt a lack of intimacy. Of course my fatherpassed away many years ago, but I felt quiteclose to my mother, my teachers, my tutors, andothers. And with many of these people I couldshare my deepest feelings, fears, and concerns.When I was in Tibet, on state occasions and atpublic events there was a certain formality, acertain protocol was observed, but that wasn’talways the case. At other times, for example, Iused to spend time in the kitchen and I becamequite close with some of the kitchen staff and wecould joke or gossip or share things and it wouldbe quite relaxed, without that sense of formalityor distance.