Ruzbeh Bharucha
Author, Public speaker, Editor, Spiritual Councillor, Composer & Singer, Documentory Film Maker, Story teller, Journalist
Q1. How did your journey begin, and what shaped you into the individual and coach you are today? What inspired you to take this path?
My journey where writing is concerned began in Jai Hind College, Mumbai, where three friends decided to publish a magazine. It was our graduation year and we began Venture, our magazine. Doesn’t say much about our educational aspirations as this magazine consumed us during a time when we should have been logically studying for our Graduation. In the magazine I began to write articles, conduct interviews and for the first time ventured into fiction stories. Slowly began to submit articles to various news papers and journals and got into journalism where I became the editor of various magazines and a news paper called Pune Tribune. I have always been intrigued by the paranormal and wrote my first book called The Last Marathon, a journey into life after death. In my late twenties, I got into channeling and spiritual counseling. Today have twenty-two books published on varied topics but mainly on spirituality, paranormal and about trying to live a life with dignity, no matter how life and karma is hell bent on trouncing us. It has been now nearly three decades where have done spiritual counseling and meeting thousands of people, one tends to understand mankind a little better.
Ruzbeh Bharucha
Author, Public speaker, Editor, Spiritual Councillor, Composer & Singer, Documentory Film Maker, Story teller, Journalist
Q1. How did your journey begin, and what shaped you into the individual and coach you are today? What inspired you to take this path?
My journey where writing is concerned began in Jai Hind College, Mumbai, where three friends decided to publish a magazine. It was our graduation year and we began Venture, our magazine. Doesn’t say much about our educational aspirations as this magazine consumed us during a time when we should have been logically studying for our Graduation.
In the magazine I began to write articles, conduct interviews and for the first time ventured into fiction stories. Slowly began to submit articles to various news papers and journals and got into journalism where I became the editor of various magazines and a news paper called Pune Tribune. I have always been intrigued by the paranormal and wrote my first book called The Last Marathon, a journey into life after death. In my late twenties, I got into channeling and spiritual counseling. Today have twenty-two books published on varied topics but mainly on spirituality, paranormal and about trying to live a life with dignity, no matter how life and karma is hell bent on trouncing us. It has been now nearly three decades where have done spiritual counseling and meeting thousands of people, one tends to understand mankind a little better.
Q2. Looking back at your journey, would you choose the same career path or explore something different? Why does that choice resonate with you?
I would have continued writing books and giving talks and conduct workshops, but would I have spent once again thirty years counseling mankind? I doubt it. I would have served animals and done something about planting trees and taking care of the truly underprivileged. I am kind of done with mankind. Most only listen to what they want to hear. Most are hell bent on cutting their feet and the feet of others. Mankind has the potential for Godhood but most of us are just scum of creation. When you
scrape the barrel of creation, mankind crawls out. I should have spent more time in serving animals and the terminally ill and the truly underprivileged.
Q3. Every success story has its share of hurdles. Can you share the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in your career and how you turned it into an opportunity to grow?
I have never taken my writing or spiritual counseling as my career. It’s more of a calling. I have never written for money or fame or advancing my career. Nor have I counseled and channeled for money. Thus the only hurdle in one’s calling is one’s own discipline and passion and being true to oneself. As an editor, I did reasonably well but left journalism because I can’t pander to the whims and fancies of advertisers. Do we have journalism in its true sense now? I doubt it. News broadcasters are agenda based. Truth is buried under the balance sheet of varied advertisers who keep the channel or news paper a float. We used to report both sides of the story and keep our opinions to ourselves as that’s not the job of a journalist to give his or her own opinion. We are supposed to give every side of the story and shut the fug up. Now the new breed starts with what they think is right and wrong and it has got nothing to do with the authenticity of the truth or even giving both sides of the story. So I struggled with this for a while and then said fug it. Thus, I focused on writing my books and conducting workshops and spiritual guidance.
Q4. What makes your brand, work style, or startup unique? How does it stand out in the competitive landscape?
I am a human being not a product or a brand. Being true to one’s craft or calling is the only thing that matters and when those who realize this, they gravitate towards you.
Q5. Purpose-driven work often sparks change. Can you share how your social initiatives or impactful efforts are making a difference?
I get tremendous feedback from people all over the country and the world, as to how the books have helped them cope with emotional, mental, physical, spiritual challenges with dignity. Countless mails as to how the books and videos have given them courage to live life and not commit suicide. How a talk here or a paragraph there has transformed their lives. Lots of people get back to me saying it’s after reading the books and seeing the videos they have fallen in love with their respective Goddess God Guru and their prayers. Many have confessed to being habitual slanderers and gossip mongers but after attending a workshop or reading the books they have stopped slandering and stopped being judgmental. Lots of people have gotten back to me saying the books have made them more generous and more compassionate. This is what still pushes me to write and even see people. I know this change takes place with a very small percentage of people, those mad ones who want to make their Goddess, God, Guru, happy and proud of them. But the large majority of people change their Gurus, their ideologies, their principles depending on agendas and pettiness. There are some really decent people and it has been my privilege to have met and known them.
Q6. In your opinion, what are the three most important qualities for building a successful brand or business?
Being true to your Goddess, God, Guru. Being non judgmental. Being compassionate. Once again, I am not a product or a brand.
Q7. What values define your work ethic and guide your professional journey?
Its most important to know, why each one of us, does, what we do. As an author, being true, being compassionate and non judgmental, not taking oneself seriously but taking the Path one has chosen with absolute seriousness and being cool and being able to laugh at oneself and the absurdities of the world. Pride has swallowed giants. Ego has finished even Demi Gods. Walk the path with humility, courage, truth and lots of humour.
Q8. Success often comes with a personal mantra. What is your business success mantra, and how has it guided you to where you are today?
There is only one Mantra. Try to live each moment giving your very best and then leave the rest to the wisdom of one’s Goddess, God, Guru. Take one day at a time and give it your all. Don’t forget those who have stood by you in your time of need and don’t allow flakes and toxic people to be around you. Understand that most relationships are either karmic or agenda based. Don’t share your intimate feelings with one and all. Surround yourself with kind people. Surround yourself with animals and be in nature. Most importantly, never forget we are the dust beneath the feet of our Master.
Q9. If you could give one powerful message to aspiring entrepreneurs or growing communities, what would it be?
Be true to yourself. First and foremost know yourself; one’s strength, passion, calling, weakness, limitations. Don’t compare your success or failure with others. Your journey is yours thus live life in the best way you know how to and get inspired but don’t become a side character in your own novel. Remember that lot is destined thus all we can do is give our intelligent best and then leave the rest to the wisdom of one’s Master. Be kind and compassionate and non judgmental.
Q10. Every journey has its golden moments. Could you share a proud achievement, happy milestone, or unforgettable moment that you’d like the world to know?
Every time I get a call or a mail which says that the books, the videos, the workshops, the counseling has helped them become better human beings; kinder human beings; more compassionate human beings, I think that makes this journey worth its while.
Q11. Beyond business, how do you envision leaving a lasting impact on the world?
Nobody remembers anything if it doesn’t suit their purpose. I don’t want to be remembered by the world. want my truly loved ones to remember me with a smile, for all the joy and laughter we have shared. I would like the world to forget me. We don’t deserve each other.
Q12. What services or professional expertise does your brand offer that set you apart from others in the field?
I really have never thought about all this. I write because I want to. I channel because it’s my calling. The other day I was hearing one of the most divine songs and realized that barely a few thousand people had seen it or even liked it but for me the song resonated deep into the chore of my being. Thus, we, authors shall resonate amongst our lot and that is all that should truly matter. Connecting with those who dance to the same vibration and fragrance. All else is mere shadow boxing.