Who is that robed man? Where did he come from? What does he believe and why should we care? Does he have anything to say that can improve our lives and help us live with meaning and authenticity? The answers are found in this little book. Here the Dali Lama paints a compelling portrait of his early life, reflecting on the personal and political struggles that have helped to shape his understanding of our world. He explains in a simple and accessible way how each of us can influence those around us by living with integrity. And he holds out hope that through personal transformation, we can all contribute to a better world. In short, think of this as the essential Dalai Lama, a small format, chunky volume that distills the essence of his life and teachings.