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In his book Ethics for the New Millennium, the Dalai Lama outlines what he sees as being necessary for a happy life. The key focus of the Dalai Lama’s (DL) argument is the practice of altruism within every aspect of one’s life—whether interacting with a friend or foe compassion is of utter importance. He states that “the more we truly desire to benefit others, the greater the strength and confidence we develop and the greater the peace and happiness we experience” (p. 130). But I question whether this idea can be put into practice in a capitalistic western world that depends on a competitive, cut-throat mentality for its survival. One of the points made by the DL that drove me to ask this question was his distinction between ethical and spiritual acts. “An ethical act is one where we refrain from causing harm to others’ experience or expectation of happiness. Spiritual acts we can describe in terms of those qualities mentioned earlier of love, compassion, patience, forgiveness, humility, tolerance, and so on which presume some level of concern for others’ well-being” (p. 61). The DL describes ethical and spiritual acts as being imperative to a happy life. But I question how one can be an active member