I have some very exciting news!

After a whole year of secrecy, I’m relieved I can finally reveal I’ll be appearing on Netflix.

This new Netflix Original series called ‘Enlighten Up!’ is on pre-release in about 12 hours’ time and will be showing up gradually for Netflix with initial episodes on YouTube for free too.

I’d love to share the story of how it all happened.

The opportunity came about after my initial idea for my now-published book, ‘Wit and Wisdom’.

The book, a compilation of wisdom stories and witty cartoons linked with mindfulness and kindfulness was initially shared in a post on my Instagram last year.

And I also shared lots of my stories on my Instagram too.

Apparently, some researchers from Netflix spotted my post.

And they had put me on a short list of potentials for the series.

I was discussing my forthcoming book in a local bookstore in Hampstead, north London, which isn’t too far from where I live.

I was in the bookshop, talking to the manager and signing the copies, when the comedian from ‘The Office’, Ricky Gervais came in.

Ricky Gervais lives locally, so I’ve seen him a couple of times.

He sometimes just says hi to everyone, just to be polite.

But I certainly didn’t know him personally, at the time.

Anyway….

He said he’d been searching for funny mindfulness teachers on Google and apparently remembered seeing my face pop up.

He was so excited I lived locally!

"Are you the guy that does the sh*tty meditation or mindfulness jokes online?!" he asked, chuckling away.

“Errr, yea?! Wow, great to meet you!” I replied, in shock.

“They’re not that bad!” I defended with a little smile.

"Brilliant!" he exclaimed. "I'm working on a new Netflix series about mental health, and we've got an episode or two about mindfulness coming up. Got time for a quick walk?”

I replied “yes, of course”, and we went to the local park, Hampstead Heath.

He mentioned that he had had meetings with Prince Harry to discuss the project when he was in the UK…

Prince Harry works for Netflix.

So, unbelievably, we went to meet Prince Harry last year.

This was before he’d released his ‘interesting’ book.

We had our first meeting in a supermarket cafe - Marks and Spencer to be precise.

It was so surreal.

Harry was undercover as he didn’t have much security, and the location was spontaneously decided just minutes before we all met.

"Ah, Ricky, and...?" Prince Harry whispered, raising an eyebrow at me.

"The mindfulness guru!" Ricky interjected, gesturing towards me with a grin.

“He’s not very funny, but he’ll have to do!” joked Ricky as he slapped my back, slightly harder than I hoped whilst I was munching on a scone with jam and vegan clotted cream.

As we discussed the Netflix series, Prince Harry made it clear that he wouldn't participate in a meditation session unless it was guided by the Dalai Lama himself.

Right there and then, he texted the Dalai Lama’s assistant and got an immediate reply.

They’d been discussing this for a while.

Harry said I would need to crack some mindfulness jokes, as the whole series is about not taking life too seriously.

But at the same time, doing practices that do scientifically make a difference to our wellbeing.

“Mindfulness, creativity, playfulness, laughter, gratitude, kindness, and all that jazz”, said Prince Harry.

He then asked me for a mindful joke on the spot.

I panicked!

“Errr….why did the mindfulness teacher cross the road?

Errr….To meet with the Harry that was formally known as Prince!”, I said and then covered my mouth.

Ricky burst out laughing and then covered his mouth.

His famous laugh is very recognisable and people looked.

He had a face mask and big hat and was impossible to recognise. As was Harry.

Harry didn’t laugh at my joke….I thought I’d screwed up big time.

But after about 10 seconds, he smiled.

“I’m still a Prince thank you very much…if Ricky’s laughing, I’m sure you’re good enough. You’re in. Let’s do this.”

He then looked up at one of the supermarket staff members in the cafe, and nodded.

Then came over with a clipboard, and the contract for the Netflix thing. They sat down next to me, and started mumbling in their security earpiece.

Wow, even some of the staff at Marks and Spencer were undercover!

It was a very simple, one-pager. I read it. But hesitated to sign on the spot.

‘Give him the two pens’ said Harry to his staff member.

Harry said…”Look Shaharrrrmashish?”….he didn’t quite know how to say my name.

And then he showed me two pens. I felt like I was in a movie as Harry said:

“Take the red pen, cross out the contract, and we walk away as if nothing happened today.”

“Or, take the blue pen, sign on the dotted line, and we show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

After some silence.

“The choice is yours”.

I took the blue pen and signed.

I’ve still got it. He’s a pic.

As soon as I signed the guy in the M and S security outfit said in his earpiece:

“Tango Whisky Charlie Foxtrot Corgie Corgie Corgie. Operation Enlighten Up is On On On! We’re good to clear the area.”

Harry got up and just walked out. So did Ricky, chuckling for no apparently reason.

Even the security walked out with the paperwork.

I followed them but before I knew it, they got into a huge black Rolls Royce and sped off!

So I went back in and finished my tea and scones…wow.

Meeting the Dalai Lama

I legally can’t give too much away about the episodes, of course, but I can say that we flew over to India to interview the Dalai Lama.

Upon arriving in Dharamsala, we discovered that the Dalai Lama was hosting a meditation retreat at a nearby mountaintop.

Eager to get his blessing, we trekked up the steep path, with Ricky cracking jokes and complaining about the lack of escalators every step of the way.

On our first meeting with Dalai Lama, he said, "Ah, seekers of wisdom, you have come a long way, isn’t it? But have you brought any snacks?!"

And then burst out laughing! It was a great start.

Ricky and I exchanged glances before I pulled a pack of chocolate biscuits from my bag.

Apparently, even the Dalai Lama had a weakness for our British biscuits.

After munching our biscuits with whatever teeth he has left, the Dalai Lama agreed to guide a meditation session for Prince Harry.

With cameras rolling, we all sat cross-legged, ready to embark on a journey of inner peace. However, Ricky couldn't resist adding his comedic touch.

Just as the meditation began, he whispered to Prince Harry, "Remember, if you find inner peace, don't forget to send a postcard."

The prince snorted, trying to suppress his laughter, while the Dalai Lama just shook his head, amused.

Texting Oprah Winfrey

Whilst filming one day, the director asked if the Dalai Lama knew Oprah.

“Who?'“

Oprah Winfrey.

He spoke to his translator.

After much discussion and his translator trying to do an impression of Oprah Winfrey, the Dalai Lama remembered who she is.

The director asked if we could call her.

“Yes!” said the Dalai Lama.

And right there and then, the assistant hit up Oprah on a Video Call.

It turns out, even Oprah can’t resist a call from the Dalai Lama himself.

When she picked up…Oprah…started…screaming!

She was so happy.

She seemed to be getting her hair done in what I thought was a salon.

Actually, it was in her home.

I can confirm that Oprah is also in the series.

Dalai Lama Takes Things to new Heights - Literally!

The most amazing part of the experience was when the Dalai Lama told us to turn the cameras off and took us into his home.

He said on special days, such as this auspicious day at the beginning of the month, it’s possible to levitate whilst doing laughter meditation.

The cameras were ordered to stay out.

We went in and the Dalai Lama sat in meditation.

Then he started giggling. And the giggling spread.

This turned this into laughter.

We couldn’t help but laugh too.

And then it happened….

I wish we could have recorded it.

The Dalai Lama. Started. Flying.

He was floating about 6 feet in the air!

Oh. My. Gawwwwddddd.

Apparently, this happens only on the 1st April.

This is because the moon, the mars and the sun line up with everyone’s favourite, Uranus.

So if you want to levitate and fly around your room, today’s the day to meditate.

Share this immediately with your friends and family and tell them to try.

How? Easy.

Laughter meditation is the way to go.

Try these secret mantras

Each time you breathe out, just say ‘ha ha ha ha ha’ nice and loud with a big smile. The faster you can do it, whilst belly breathing, the better.

Here’s another one Dalai Lama shared:

“he, he, he, he, heeeeeee”

And finally, if that’s not working, move all the facial muscles, gently tickle your ribs and say out loud:

“hahahah heehehehe wohooooooo Ho ho ho ho ho hohoho yes yes yes yes yesssss HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA”

Get it exactly right and repeat rapidly.

Warning: Do NOT do this whilst operating heavy machinery under water upside down.

The episode, featuring the unique combination of mindfulness, royalty, and Ricky Gervais' humor, will be on Netflix very soon!

Wit and Wisdom Copies Flying Off Shelves Due to the “Netflix Dalai Oprah Harry Ricky Effect”

And as for me, my book "Wit and Wisdom" has skyrocketed in sales, thanks to the unexpected but hilarious series of events that unfolded in Hampstead that fateful day.

Amazon has requested people only buy a maximum of 42 copies each as we keep running out of them.

The series will be called “Enlighten Up!"

This is an April Fools Production for Shamash Alidina Ltd. Everything in this blog was just to help us all lighten up and enlighten up. If you enjoyed it, drop a comment below or reply to my email. :) If you hated it, do try the laughter meditation one more time if you can.

You’re welcome to share this with your friends and family to see if you can catch them out too.