R Balki (Cheeni Kum director) on spirituality...

I don't know what spirituality is, except that when I accumulate a lot of garbage in my head, I need to shed it and be at peace with myself. I retreat to a quiet corner and am alone with myself for half an hour. Today, any job is stressful. At times, despite doing our best, bad things happen to us. I could get stressed due to my work, my wife...though she also unwinds me! I could get stressed if someone bombs my ad campaign or when nice things aren't said about a movie i have made. I learn from all of it. How you cope with stress is what matters.

I have less tolerance than most people and therefore need to introspect more often. And that's when you realise that in the end, nothing matters. Being a movie buff, I destress myself faster when I watch films or cricket. In fact, it's important to unlearn things. I believe in a supreme power which guides our destiny and who is above our control. I remember I once met a friend of mine in Delhi and she told me that on a particular day, a particular thing would happen to me. And believe me, it did. That's when i experienced God.

I am not a ritualistic person and don't go to temples or wear amulets. I remember the last time I went to Tirupati was some four-five years back and I still remember it was the special vada there that drew me. I don't believe in rituals or praying endlessly for good things to happen.

I believe that if you do good, good things should happen to you and things will work out. The truth will always prevail. For example, I believe if i have been paid for a campaign, I should do the work to the best of my ability and if I haven't, I explain to my clients that this hasn't been up to my satisfaction. And they appreciate it. Truth is the biggest con job. The solutions to most things lie within yourself.

PS: I AGREE...