Happiness in the West is still seen in material terms, as having the most toys and perks. Some people have cynically given up on the whole happiness project and are only willing to acknowledge moments of joy, elation, or bliss. Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk and internationally known author, translator, and photographer takes another approach: "By happiness I mean here the deep sense of flourishing that arises from an exceptionally healthy mind. This is not a mere pleasurable feeling, a fleeting emotion, or a mood, but an optimal state of being. Happiness is also a way of interpreting the world, since while it may be difficult to change the world, it is always possible to change the way we look at it."