Talking about spirituality and how he defines it, Hussain began by saying that the influence of Russian acting, specifically that of Konstantin Stanislavski, has shaped his approach to acting and life. Stanislavski’s system, which includes the “5Ws” (who, what, when, where and why), not only honed his acting skills but also contributed to his personal growth. “These 5Ws also help me to be a better person,” he said.
Husain also said that his spiritual journey changed a lot after he started reading the works of Sri Aurobindo. Through Aurobindo, Husain understood that spirituality is a quest for self-awareness. “The quest for who I am is still ongoing,” he said. A key moment in his journey, he said, was meeting his mentor, who, despite being younger than him, played a role in his spiritual awakening. The mentor helped Husain live a more vibrant and conscious life, and as Husain said, “he literally saved my life twice.”
Adil Hussain (Image: TOI/YouTube)
Again speaking about spirituality and the focus it demands, he related the focus needed for acting to the precision needed to fly a rocket.
The next topic was mindfulness. Hussain began with the affirmation that “nature is you.” He spoke of our intrinsic connection to nature. “You are not part of nature, you are nature,” he said. According to Hussain, nature shows us signs of mindfulness and guides us back to balance when we stray. When the question “Why me?” arises, when nature tests us and we feel distressed, this questioning often leads to deeper self-awareness and growth.
On how to become more mindful, Hussain spoke about the beautiful moments we see and always being grateful for them. To him, these are signs of living mindfully.
He gives examples of friends who were doctors and lawyers but wanted to pursue something else in life, and encourages others to make the right choice now to contribute to their own emotional and mental wellbeing.
Dr Ananya Awasthi concluded the discussion with a final comment that age doesn’t matter when it comes to experience. She urges others, “If you haven’t been able to make the right choices before, do so now if you can. It will contribute to your emotional and mental wellbeing.”
