The Geography of Bliss

Weiner flies to Bhutan, thinking of Shangri-La from the James Hilton book Lost Horizon. Bhutan has a policy of Gross National Happiness, which measures people’s happiness the way other countries measure wealth and promotes increases in happiness.

Weiner lands in Paro. A guide named Tashi attends to Weiner, who notes that attention can bring happiness. They drive to a cafe. Later, they go to Thimphu, the capital.

Bhutan did not have television until 1999. Since then, wrestling shows have become popular, but are also controversial. Until 1962, the country did not have a road, school, hospital, or currency. Recently, though the country has introduced internet cafes and cell phones, the capital still does not have a traffic light.

Weiner meets Karma Ura, who runs a think tank. Ura notes that most countries measure wealth and longevity, rather than happiness. Ura says that he is happy in part because he has not set unrealistic expectations for himself. Instead of achievement, Ura cares about compassion.

Weiner tells Ura about having a worrisome health episode and visiting a doctor. Ura accurately guesses that the doctor probably found nothing—Weiner was simply experiencing a panic attack. Ura says that Westerners are distant from death, and because of this, they worry more.