The entire world is well aware of the powerhouse that is Will Smith. Whether it’s his action-packed movies or the controversies surrounding his super-famous family, Smith knows how to keep the ball rolling. He has ventured into every nook and cranny of the movie universe, from comedy and romance to action, and even tried his hand on the Oscar stage, although this particular incident may have been in bad taste. While many consider the Oscar slap to be the main push in Smith’s love for spirituality, the reality is a bit different.

Smith’s spiritual awakening gained momentum when he married Jada Pinkett Smith. In a podcast, Smith went into great detail to discuss every aspect of this journey and a regret that he still carries with him.

Will Smith’s special South Africa connection

During an exclusive interview with Jay Shetty on the Jay Shetty Podcast in 2021, the Men in Black actor opened up about his one regret. Smith warmly reminisced about the time he spent with the legendary Nelson Mandela. The King Richard actor was so inspired by him that he immediately wanted to quit acting and join him on the streets. However, the former South African president wanted him to understand the ‘hope’ that his work creates and that if he ever needed him, he would hear ‘the call.’ Furthermore, the actor said, “I’m not prone to regrets, but that was one of them.”

The actor also revealed that the late president had reached out to him every year until his passing. However, at that particular moment, the actor simply felt unworthy. He had felt unworthy of Mandela, his teachings, and everything that the great leader wanted to impart. The former South African president had a desire to teach him something profound, like how one can smile in this world.

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In the same podcast, the actor further discussed the various dynamics of his life that he still cherishes to this day.

Life lessons that changed his life

The I Am Legend actor mentioned that there is always a part of people that, when they feel unloved in any capacity, naturally reacts by desiring revenge, especially during their childhood years. However, seeking revenge posed a significant problem because it ended up doing more harm than good. His guru, Raghunath Swami, aptly referred to this as a perplexing situation that human beings often found themselves in. According to him, the only solution to this inner turmoil was to embrace love and kindness. For Smith, his loving grandmother served as a prime example of this principle.

Furthermore, he envisioned his family as a triangle. In this metaphorical triangle, his father had occupied the base, representing extreme strictness and discipline. His mother, on one side, had been someone who valued education above anything else, and on the other side, his dear grandmother had stood as a preacher of love and God. He credited these diverse qualities for contributing to his personal growth as both a human being and an actor.

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