This talk was given by Geshe Michael Roach in Oslo, Norway, in 2013.
In a powerful and often humorous talk, Geshe Michael Roach shares the teachings behind creating not only personal success but also world peace—through the conscious planting of karmic seeds. Drawing from personal stories, Buddhist philosophy, and practical methods, he unveils a system that promises real transformation.
- The Power of Seeds: From Monastery to Multimillion-Dollar Business
- Relationships and the Karma of Love
- How to Plant a Seed for Love
- The Pen Analogy: Understanding Emptiness
- Key Moments
- What if I already have a partner but want to improve the relationship?
- Isn’t it selfish to help someone just to get something?
- How can I create a loving relationship?
- Can I really make money through karma?
- The Vision: World Peace Starts with One Act
The Power of Seeds: From Monastery to Multimillion-Dollar Business
Geshe Michael recounts his journey from 25 years in a Tibetan monastery to building a $250 million business in New York—all as part of a karmic examination given by his teacher (1:16). His company used only karmic principles to grow.
“Can you use karma to make a million dollars in one year? This is your second examination.”
– 2:11
Relationships and the Karma of Love
What started as a talk on business quickly turned into a Q&A about relationships, as people began asking: “Can karma fix my husband?” (4:24) and “Can I create a boyfriend with karma?” (5:03). Geshe Michael’s response: absolutely, yes.
“The perfect partner will come. You don’t have to go to nightclubs or scroll for hours online. Just plant the seed.”
– 29:39
How to Plant a Seed for Love
- Step 1: Decide clearly what you want in a partner (46:00).
- Step 2: Help someone who is lonely—ideally an elderly person with no family (25:16).
- Step 3: Reflect each night on the good deed—this is called “coffee meditation” (40:59).
- Step 4: Watch the partner arrive without seeking. Karma works automatically.
The Pen Analogy: Understanding Emptiness
Geshe Michael explains the concept of emptiness with a simple object—a pen. If a human sees a pen, a dog sees a chew toy. What is it when no one is present? Nothing. Things are empty of meaning until we project onto them. (16:10)
“The pen is not coming from the pen. It’s coming from me. It must be true, because the dog doesn’t see a pen.”
– 18:14
Key Moments
What if I already have a partner but want to improve the relationship?
Plant seeds by showing affection to others. Smile, be kind. Reflect on those actions before bed. The relationship will change. (51:02)
Isn’t it selfish to help someone just to get something?
No. Helping with intention still benefits the world. When you plant seeds, you help everyone. It’s called Bodhichitta—acting for the benefit of all. (1:05:32)
How can I create a loving relationship?
By helping someone who feels lonely and doing coffee meditation, you plant the seed for love. The partner will appear naturally. (25:16, 29:39, 40:59)
Can I really make money through karma?
Yes. Help others make money and reflect on your actions each night. Geshe Michael was asked to prove this system by building a business using only karma—and succeeded. (2:11, 2:46–3:04)
The Vision: World Peace Starts with One Act
Geshe Michael concludes that even a small act, like visiting a lonely elderly person, can create waves of positive change. The idea is not to fix the world alone but to start a chain reaction. This is the real path to peace.
“When you help an old woman, you are not helping one person—you are helping 7 billion people.”
– 1:16:40
