Be who you truly are and don’t pretend—because truth is always the ultimate force.

Laughter Yoga is a powerful tool for creating both physical and psychological transformation. However, to maintain the smile that laughter brings to your face, you need to look deep within your soul. What is stopping you from laughing freely? What’s holding you back from experiencing true happiness?

When I asked myself these questions, the answers revealed that I was not being authentic or truthful; a part of me was always trying to pretend. Through introspection, I realized that my inner thoughts and feelings were often in conflict and not aligned with the way I presented myself outwardly. It was as if I were two completely different people.

This revelation profoundly changed my life. I discovered that when you are completely honest and truthful with yourself—inside and out—it not only frees you from pretense but also fills your soul with a deep sense of joy, peace, and contentment. Ultimately, it enables you to laugh more freely.

The following story validates this principle:

There Is One Answer to Every Question

Ever since I started the Laughter Clubs, the idea of laughing together was widely accepted. As its popularity grew worldwide, the media was filled with stories about the clubs and their unique concept. Leading newspapers, magazines, and television programs that covered Laughter Yoga helped spread awareness, and public interest grew rapidly.

In 1998, one such article appeared in the Los Angeles Times and caught the attention of Steve Wilson, a psychologist and strong advocate for laughter and humor. Steve called me immediately and planned a trip to India. A few days later, we met in Mumbai and shared some wonderful laughter sessions on Juhu Beach. He enjoyed laughing with the Indian people and suggested I visit the U.S. to promote the cause of laughter. Quick to act, he planned a series of workshops and seminars across 14 cities to be completed in just one and a half months.

It was a dream come true. I was thrilled—it was my first opportunity to travel abroad, and I was already 40 years old. However, I was also overwhelmed by the thought of addressing international audiences and conducting nearly 20 seminars. I was filled with fear and self-doubt. I worried about people’s reactions and feedback. As a medical doctor, I felt I needed to know the scientific details of laughter—its physiology, biochemistry, and psychology. On top of that, I was anxious about my Indian English accent. I feared people would not understand me—or worse, ridicule me.

Madhuri and my friends encouraged me to read more books on laughter, which I found at the U.S. Information Center and the British Library. As the travel date approached, my excitement about the American tour was clouded by panic. I was a bundle of nerves, but I kept preparing diligently. While researching online, I discovered a wealth of literature and scientific studies on laughter and its many benefits. I had only 12 days to absorb as much as I could before our first stop: New York City. I studied day and night, hoping everything would go well.

Being an early riser, each morning I imagined all kinds of questions that might come my way. Then, one day, a moment of insight struck me. I ran to the bedroom, woke up Madhuri, and told her I had found the perfect solution to my fears: I would simply say “I don’t know” if I didn’t have an answer! Startled at first, she burst into laughter.

I had an honest conversation with myself—why should I be afraid to admit what I don’t know? Why couldn’t I just be real and truthful? No one was going to punish me for being honest.

On May 24, 1999, Madhuri and I boarded an Air India flight to New York, en route to Columbus, Ohio, where Steve and his wife Pam lived. Having embraced the value of truth and authenticity, I faced the seminars with a new mindset. And believe me—the workshops were a huge success. People loved the concept, I was able to answer most questions, and they even understood my accent!

I realized that fear was only a product of my imagination. It had clouded my mind because I was focused on impressing Americans and living up to imagined expectations. For the first time, I truly understood the power of truth. Truth is the ultimate power—fire cannot burn it, and air cannot blow it away.

Looking back, I saw that ever since leaving my small village, I had been over-projecting myself to impress others. I constantly tried to be someone I was not, which only added to my stress.

What a breakthrough! My mask-wearing days were over. Today, I strive to live as my true self. Laughter has blessed me in two ways—it has opened my heart and soul to who I truly am and, in doing so, has brought even more laughter into my life.