Is happiness – that most elusive and pursued of the states of being – truly possible in the modern world? For a few hours on Tuesday evening, the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC was undeniably filled with joy. Serenity was visible on the faces of the glamorously dressed patrons attending the Nine Rivers Gala and delighted were our taste buds. But more on the magnificent food later… Every bit of stress that our glorious yet chaotic city may have been triggering within us throughout the day, began to be washed away by the signature Mai Tais, mixed with Zen Liqueur, offered upon entry into this oasis of Himalayan art. People of all different backgrounds mingled, smiled and socialized in a way that is rare, even in the great Melting Pot that is the Big Apple.

So, what brought on this refreshing change in attitude, this newfound tranquillity in my fellow New Yorkers? I venture to guess that it was part devotion to the fantastic institution that is the Rubin Museum and the incomparable collection it houses, assembled by dedicated collectors Donald and Shelley Rubin. But a good part of the credit for this successful, peace-filled evening goes to three exceptional human beings.

Honored with the evening’s first Mandala Award for Arts and Humanitarian Achievements, Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck is the sister of the Fifth King of Bhutan, a country famous for being on the list of “World’s Happiest Countries”. Just recently, a new era of democracy has been heralded in this landlocked country, roughly the size of Switzerland, with parliamentary elections scheduled for 2008 and a new constitution recently drawn up.

The second Mandala Award was given to Buddhist monk and French translator to the Dalai Lama Matthieu Ricard, whom Robert Chalmers of The Independent referred to as “…the happiest man in the world.” With a Ph.D. in biochemistry, the son of French philosopher Jean François Revel singlehandedly has challenged our ideals on the myth of happiness – that it should be a simple and god-given right – and has come to believe that achieving it requires the same hard work and mind training that any other serious pursuit would entail. I had a chance to ask Matthieu Ricard a question I have been pondering most of my adult life.

“Do you think that the pursuit of happiness is equally challenging in a small town as it is in a big city?” He answered, in his spontaneous and non-judgmental way: “Well, I am not much of a city dweller but I can tell you that happiness is simple to find in the small monastery in Nepal where I reside.”

For more of this extraordinary man’s philosophy of life, watch the video below, courtesy of Ted Talks.

And now we finally get to the food, as I had earlier promised. Because the last – but not least in any way – of the exceptional individuals responsible for the night’s success was chef Vikas Khanna, a man known not only for his extraordinary cooking skills and the distinct flavors he brings together in his menus, but for his humanitarian work and outlook on food – as nourishment for both body and soul. His striking presence among the crowd was gracious and welcoming – a chef’s coat is always stylish in my book! – and his dinner exquisite. Having been inspired by the scents and spices used in Buddhist prayer rituals throughout the temples and monasteries of the Himalayas, chef Khanna’s menu included such varied dishes as Lotus Root Dumplings, Puffed Rice Crusted Halibut, Star Anise and Himalayan Pink Salt Infused Rack of Lamb, finishing off with a Candied Rose Petal Crème Brulee, as well as Chocolate Samosas. The guests were seated throughout the galleries of the museum, around tables decorated in the colors of traditional Bhutanese fabrics.

Among the distinguished guests there to enjoy this magical evening, a hard working Bill Cunningham of the New York Times, who was busy capturing with his camera all the Eastern-inspired elegance. Also there, Bhutanese monk Sonam who now runs his own Big Apple Blog on the Rubin Museum website. Check it out for a completely different perspective of NYC.

As for me, when I stepped outside onto the street, after it all, I felt like the world was in perfect alignment. I could even swear that an unengaged taxi materialized right in front of me, at a busy intersection. Happiness may well be elusive but there is something to be said for the power of kindness, joy and great nourishment – of the body and soul.