Often times, I feel blessed. Not only about life in general and my family and friends, but the passion I have for journalism. Last month this passion led me to interview international bestselling author Deepak Chopra!
I have to say, although I've interviewed countless celebrities, authors and notable names over the past eight years and don't exactly morph into a fan frenzy (after all, it's work and professional. Fun work but still work nonetheless), I admit, I was a little star struck when I met him. Most of all, it was the lessons learned from the interview that counted most.
My early morning blogging gig ran late that day and hopping in a cab toward midtown west was not in the cards for me as I jumped out north of the destination because running on foot would have been faster than in car.
Running about twelve blocks (okay, more like sprinting), I arrived at the press event a little disheveled. Yes, it was one of those scorching days in Manhattan where the concrete just absorbed the sunlight amidst the atrocious humidity. Let's just say that I literally arrived in a nice outfit, albeit sweaty.
There he was! Deepak was calm, cool and composed and most of all, approachable just as I thought he would be. He spoke at the Paltalk video series to discuss his latest book, The Soul of Leadership. Merely sitting during the taping and watching him being interviewed for the series was calming in itself. But this was only the beginning!
During my
one-on-one interview, he was incredibly present. Focused. Intent on providing me with answers and unlike other people I've interviewed, he did not rush through his answers nor did he seem to notice who was waiting in the wings. By this time I was more put together and enjoying every moment; conducting interviews is when I feel most present (well, aside from being on the tennis court when I remain completely focused on the ball.)
Although I was multi-tasking, prepping for the next questions which emerged from his answers and diverting a little from my original notes, I was also tape recording the conversation, etc. So, it wasn't until my articles were actually published that I was able to fully focus on his words that still resonate with me today.
First of all, as most of us Deepak devotees know, there's an emphasis on silence and stillness. Ironic since I had a frenetic morning that day, but it truly comes from within. The notion of sitting still and waking up every morning makes sense; in other words, make it intentional.
The second concept which resonated with me was the art of listening. As we sit still, what do we hear? What bubbles up? He told me by the type of questions you ask, the answers are right there in the questions. Although I've heard his meditation series and read his books, hearing it from the man itself had extra significance.
In other words, it's right there in front of us if we only sit still to see it. Hear it. Feel it. Embrace it. Lately I've been feeling harried myself — working on deadline, scheduling my career clients to coach, making travel plans as the summer winds down — I want to make sure I fit it all in (confessions of an over-achieving New Yorker.)
Funny thing is, it took seeing my second article (I ended up writing three in total) get published to let the words resonate yet again and reiterate their power. Sit still and listen for signs, clarity and most of all, become connected to who we really are at the core.
And then I recalled that fabulous morning when I interviewed him and concluded by telling him my favorite law from The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is the law of detachment.
"What's yours?" I asked.
To which point he responded, "They all kind of relate to each other. The first is the most important. Infinite potential."
As my heart skipped a beat feeling so grateful for manifesting assignments which stir my soul, I left the interview feeling immensely rejuvenated and exuberant. Infinite potential indeed.
