Beyond Work-Life Balance: Finding Joy in Purpose & Preserving Ancient Wisdom

In this insightful conversation, Geshe Michael Roach reveals the deeper motivations behind founding a company that shares ancient wisdom in a secular, universal way. Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t just about success — it was about joy, freedom, and meaning. Even if he earned nothing, Geshe Michael insists he would still choose to do what he loves, because meaning is as essential as blood in the body.

“You need to spend your life doing something that has meaning — or else you die, in a way you die.”

Originally working incognito in a diamond jewelry company, Geshe Michael avoided revealing his spiritual background. Yet coworkers began asking questions — about his calm demeanor, his practices — and curiosity grew. As more people expressed interest, he felt compelled to create a formal way to share these ancient principles. Thus, the idea for the company was born: to help others apply wisdom in everyday life and business.

Interestingly, he shares that his own teacher, a traditional monk from old Tibet who never left the monastery, was the one who pushed him toward this path — to bring ancient ideas into modern business. It wasn’t an ambition Geshe Michael had on his own. In fact, he disliked business due to his father’s struggles. But following his teacher’s vision became his greatest achievement.

“My big achievement wasn’t to take this wisdom to business — my big achievement was to listen to my teacher, which was not easy.”

How to Stay Happy While Working All the Time

Geshe Michael is known for his tireless work ethic, yet he always appears relaxed and joyful. He explains the secret: only doing what he genuinely wants to do. Even if there’s no financial reward or high position, he chooses meaningful tasks — ones that help others. He admits to occasionally complaining, but in truth, he never does anything against his values.

He encourages everyone — especially young people — to identify what they truly value and commit to it, even if it doesn’t pay well in the beginning. Devoting your time to what you love brings peace and happiness.

“If you told me I could do anything I want today — I would do exactly what I’m doing.”

Daily Habits: The “Goodnight Book Club”

In recent months, Geshe Michael implemented a practice called the “Goodnight Book Club.” It began during the pandemic when he found himself watching online videos late at night, sometimes war movies or low-quality entertainment. Recognizing the habit was out of control, he decided to hand over his computer and phone to his assistant every night at 10:00 PM.

This led to a complete change in rhythm: reading paper books only (mostly ancient wisdom texts), getting a full eight hours of sleep, and starting each day refreshed and inspired. It became a habit within a week. In the mornings, he meditates or begins translating — often working six hours straight on profound ancient texts.

He eats his first meal around noon, naps for an hour (a custom he admires from Latin cultures), and spends the afternoon managing business tasks — writing emails, fundraising, supporting people in need. Later, he films content for DCI and other organizations.

Evenings are reserved for time with his wife, watching wholesome shows and connecting. By 10:00 PM, they are asleep. Despite having different natural rhythms, he believes couples should strive to wake up and sleep at the same time.

“We end up at the same time — that’s how we work. We’re both pretty tired by 10:00.”

Translating Ancient Wisdom for Modern Minds

One of Geshe Michael’s most celebrated abilities is his talent for translating ancient texts into a format accessible to 21st-century audiences. He sees it as a joyful responsibility — not as an author inserting personal ideas, but as a messenger faithfully conveying beauty across time.

He never adds his own concepts. In decades of translation work, he only once inserted a humorous reference — the Boy Scout code — and even then, disclosed it openly. His rule is to never speak in place of the original author, but to present their message with clarity and elegance.

“I never insert my own ideas into a book. I let the author speak for themselves.”

Sometimes, he includes quotes from other classic sources to clarify a concept the author assumes the reader understands. But even then, everything is footnoted and clearly marked. He compares it to enhancing a great book using another great book — never relying on personal commentary.

In one instance, he discovered a stunning poem hidden in the archives — thousands of uncatalogued texts. The excitement of uncovering this forgotten gem and inserting it (with proper notation) into a modern translation reflects his passion for preserving and sharing beauty.

Five Goals in Harmony: A Sweet Ecology

Geshe Michael emphasizes that the five DCI goals — financial success, great relationships, physical health, mental peace, and service to others — should not be pursued in isolation. When achieved through the Seed System, they naturally support one another, forming a life of balance and deep satisfaction.

“If you’ve got your individual pieces of happiness by using the Seed System… suddenly the whole thing ties together.”

He compares this integrated life to a ball of brown sugar — a metaphor from ancient texts. You can bite into any part of it, and it’s delicious. Similarly, when your goals support each other — money helping with charity, which improves your mental state, which enhances your physical health — life becomes rich and meaningful.

Even material wealth becomes more valuable when used for a higher purpose. He cautions that chasing money or possessions alone will lead to disappointment. But when tied to helping others, it becomes profoundly satisfying — even at age 71, he still finds joy in giving.

He and his wife even have people assigned to track how much they give away — to ensure they don’t accidentally go bankrupt, because generosity has become so habitual. It’s a powerful testament to mature, joyful abundance.

A Daily Dose of Wisdom

Geshe Michael likens DCI to a daily vitamin shot — something essential you take every day to stay strong. He shares that he never lets a day go by without opening a DCI manual or an ancient text. Even on vacation, the materials remain close, often on his living room table.

This regular practice is what makes success in areas like finance both sustainable and meaningful. The key is not just to take a course once and forget it, but to return to the teachings again and again. Each reading brings new depth — like aging wine.

“Meaning is like blood. You need it in your body. You need to spend your life doing something that has meaning — or else you die.”

As the years pass, DCI organizers — many of whom have taught for over a decade — are discovering new applications and deeper insights. Their trees have grown tall, bearing fruits that even Geshe Michael hadn’t foreseen. He now learns from them, listening in the back of the room with admiration and joy.

Planning for the Next 500 Years

In a more personal reflection, Geshe Michael discusses his habit of long-term planning — thinking in terms of hundreds of years. When asked how an ordinary person might build such foresight, he gives a clear answer: meditation is the foundation.

He recommends starting with just 10 minutes a day, adding one minute weekly. Meditation cultivates a kind of “predictable intuition” — a combination of statistical insight and inner clarity. Over time, it builds a subtle awareness of the consequences of actions, far into the future.

“A meditator is an AI with a vision of the future — which is really sexy.”

He rarely does anything without at least five or ten clear reasons — some logical, others based on intuition or direct meditative insight. Not every decision is perfect, he admits, but most are guided by this long-range vision grounded in inner work.

This future-minded approach blends ancient wisdom and personal experience with a deep sense of responsibility. And for Geshe Michael, it’s not something to explain each time — it’s something to live.

Can Artificial Intelligence Replace the Human Mind?

The conversation turns to AI — a topic Geshe Michael recently had personal experience with. Someone created an AI-generated interview with him without asking permission. Though it wasn’t perfect, it was strikingly realistic. He acknowledges that such tools will only get better with time.

Recalling the moment he first held a CD-ROM and a military-grade laptop, he recognized the potential to preserve and share sacred texts digitally. Now, with AI, he feels similar potential — but also a responsibility. While the technology may be inevitable, what matters is how we use it.

“According to the Seed System, if your motivation to use AI is to help people — then AI will be kind to you.”

He references the industrial revolution and the risk of being left behind. Many leaders in the Global South are now working to adopt AI early — using it, for example, to detect gaps in healthcare workers’ knowledge. This, he says, is a beautiful application and one we should embrace, not fear.

What truly determines AI’s impact is intention. If it’s used for control or competition, it may backfire. But if used with the sincere desire to benefit others, AI can be a powerful force for good — a new tool in the hands of those who serve.

Is AI a Mind Stream?

When asked if AI could ever become a “mind stream” — a continuous consciousness — Geshe Michael draws a clear boundary based on ancient texts. Mind streams, he explains, are beginningless and endless. They cannot be created or destroyed. AI, by contrast, is based on extrapolation and probability.

While AI might simulate emotional responses or even appear intelligent, he argues it lacks true awareness, creativity, or emotional depth. A machine may be trained to recognize feelings — but that’s not the same as feeling.

“You can teach it emotions — but I don’t think that’s the same as feeling emotions.”

In his view, AI is a useful tool that can enhance human life and wisdom. But it cannot become human, and it cannot replace the complexity or spiritual essence of a conscious being.

Ultimately, he encourages a balanced approach: embrace AI, but stay grounded in purpose, compassion, and timeless teachings. That is how we ensure progress that uplifts humanity — not just efficiency, but meaning.

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