What’s the secret to a fulfilled and happy life? We asked Bhakti Flow yoga teacher Rusty Wells some of our favourite philosophical questions.
If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be?
That I am just another perfectly imperfect being trying to do some good along my way. I mess up a thousand times a day, but yoga gives me the awareness to notice those mess-ups, apologise and make amends for them, and then smile at how adorably human I still am, and go along my merry way.
What top three things are on your bucket list?
- I’d like to be Mayor of San Francisco (or Pope) one day (not picky, either will do).
- I’d like to knit the most cosy blanket ever for my sweetheart (I don’t know how to knit and nor do I sit still for very long, so I think this may take a while!).
- For all my remaining days, to love unabashedly and unapologetically.
What’s your favourite quote?
“Be not afraid; I go before you always…” John 6
What do you think your future self will remember about you now?
That I was a courageous goofball.
What one book would you recommend reading?
Well, I am an author these days, so it would be great to recommend my own book; however, I’d have to say that any works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez would be wonderful, especially his Collected Stories or The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Eréndira and Her Heartless Grandmother.
What is the secret to a happy and fulfilled life?
Ha! Don’t you know?! My assumption is that finding gratitude everywhere every day sure helps. And when life brings pain and suffering to call it what it is and move through it with honesty and the depth it deserves. It’s a great way to develop empathy and to be of service to others later in life.
If you could teach everyone in the world one concept, what concept would have the biggest impact on humanity?
Forgiveness
Is intelligence or wisdom more useful?
Wisdom. But I think you’re intelligent enough to know that.
What is the biggest waste of human potential?
The biggest waste is not using our voices to bring peace, calm, love, laughter and justice. Singing makes the world better.
What causes the most harm in the world, but is completely avoidable?
Division
Has social media been a net positive or a net negative for our society? Why?
That’s a tough one. There’s good coming from the unifying of folks across the globe. But, at the same time, there is a lot of division and anxiety generated, too. Social media tends to make me break out in a sweat!
What life-altering things should every human ideally get to experience at least once in their lives?
- Having someone look into your eyes for the first time and seeing how amazing, beautiful, brilliant, sweet, funny, and tender you really are – perhaps more than you ever even realised.
- The knowing that in that moment, this great message came straight from God to remind you that you are perfect the way you are and that he/she makes no mistakes.
To what extent do you shape your own destiny and how much is down to fate?
God gives me the tools and tips to steer my life. It’s up to me to use these gifts in the right ways.
There is an old adage “Let Go and Let God”. Careful how you try that while driving a car. God gave us the faculties, intelligence, sense, and reflexes to actually drive the car. Hands on the wheel and eyes wide open.
What do you attribute the biggest successes in your life to?
Trust, Luck, God
Join Rusty in Shoredtich from 2nd – 4th February for a weekend of Warrior Love workshops. Click here to book and find out more.
