Conference with Alexandre Jollien and Mingyur Rinpoche

Cultivating Resilience

How to Stay Connected in a Divided World

We live in a time marked by growing polarization, social unrest, and a widespread sense of isolation. Many of us long for connection and genuine understanding. We dream of a world in which compassion prevails over conflict and unity overcomes division.

This deep longing arises from our innate goodness – the part of us that recognises our interdependence and the shared wish of all beings to be happy and free from suffering.

For one evening, Swiss philosopher and writer Alexandre Jollien and meditation master Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche will explore how we can nurture this basic goodness, move through difficulties, and remain connected to ourselves and others in a fragmented world. Guided by Frédéric Auquier, this conversation will offer a lively and practical exploration of resilience, compassion, and wisdom in everyday life.

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A three‑way conversation

Throughout the evening, Alexandre Jollien and Mingyur Rinpoche will share their experiences, questions, and practices to help us:

face suffering, vulnerability, and uncertainty without shutting down or withdrawing from others
transform fear, judgement, and polarization into opportunities for understanding and openness
reconnect with our basic goodness and the dignity of every human being
cultivate, day by day, a more aware, tender, and joyful presence

Their dialogue will bring together Buddhist contemplative wisdom and contemporary philosophical reflection, drawing on their sometimes challenging life journeys and the concrete tools they have developed to “stay upright” in a turbulent world.

The evening will be moderated by Frédéric Auquier, a long‑time student of Mingyur Rinpoche, who will support the conversation and questions from the audience.

The speakers

Alexandre Jollien

Swiss philosopher and writer Alexandre Jollien, born in 1975, spent much of his childhood in a residential institution for people with disabilities. He later transformed this experience into a profound reflection on the human condition, vulnerability, and joy.

He is the author of many acclaimed books, beginning with Éloge de la faiblesse (In Praise of Weakness), which received an award from the Académie française in 1999, and, with Matthieu Ricard and Christophe André, Trois amis en quête de sagesse (In Search of Wisdom). He is also an actor, screenwriter, and film director (La face cachée, Presque).

Audiences particularly appreciate his honesty, humour, and very practical tools for cultivating kindness, joy, and resilience in daily life.

Mingyur Rinpoche

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a Buddhist meditation master who grew up in the border region between Tibet and Nepal. In his retreats, books, and public talks – including his popular TED Talk – he shows in a simple and often humorous way how we can recognise our basic goodness and the vast potential of our mind.

He began meditating as a child and has maintained a close dialogue with neuroscientists for many years. He is a long‑term participant in scientific studies on the positive effects of meditation on the brain.

Around the world, he teaches people from all walks of life how to develop a meditation practice that is experiential, alive, and fully integrated into everyday life.

Frédéric Auquier

Frédéric Auquier has been practising and studying meditation since 2001 and has been a student of Mingyur Rinpoche since 2003. He is the head of an international high school in Paris and teaches literature.

For this event, he will host the evening and facilitate the dialogue between the speakers and the audience.

Languages and translation

The conference will be held in English.
To make the event accessible to more people, simultaneous translation will be provided into:

French
German
Spanish
(Portuguese and Russian to be confirmed)

Headsets will be available on site.

Practical information

Date: Friday 17 July 2026, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Venue: Espace Mayenne, 2 rue Joséphine Baker, 53000 Laval, France
City: Laval, Pays de la Loire

Fees and support

Tergar France is a non‑profit organisation whose aim is to make meditation and these teachings accessible to as many people as possible.

Conference fees:

Standard rate: €20
Reduced rate: €15
Sponsor rate: €25

If you are unable to afford the ticket price, please write to us at [email protected] so that we can explore options to help you attend.

If you would like to support this event, you can:

choose the Sponsor rate when you register, and/or
make a donation via HelloAsso using the reference CONF:
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/tergar-france/formulaires/1

Cancellation policy

In case of cancellation, the €5 handling fee is non‑refundable.

For any cancellation request or questions about your registration, please contact: [email protected]

Registration

Registrations are handled via Eventbrite:

Book your ticket for the conference
https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/billets-conference-avec-alexandre-jollien-et-mingyour-rinpoche-1978289232348