Richard Gere continues to be one of the most admired personalities in cinema, with a career that has left an indelible mark on the history of world cinema. With iconic roles in films like Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman, and American Gigolo, the actor has captivated generations of viewers, also gaining international recognition. On February 8th, he was awarded the International Goya Award, a recognition that highlights his legacy as a figure who has influenced culture on a global level.
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However, beyond his professional success, Gere has cultivated a life that has not only kept him in good physical shape, but also serene and mentally balanced. His approach to life has been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, a discipline he began studying in the 1970s and which continues to shape his path to this day.
Meditation, yoga, and healthy habits: Gere's path to well-being
The actor delved into Buddhism in the 1970s, especially through the study of Zen Buddhism, and in 1978 he traveled to Nepal to deepen his understanding of this philosophy, starting a close relationship with the Dalai Lama. Meditation has been a constant practice for Gere since then. In an interview with Express UK in 2018, the actor confessed how this practice changed his life, stating: "Before I started, I was a horrible person." For him, meditation had a transformative impact on his way of relating to the world, commenting that "There is no doubt that if you meditate for an hour, you will feel different. It's real."
This practice has not only impacted his mental state, but also his physical health. According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, repeating mental patterns during meditation strengthens neural connections in a similar way to how physical exercise improves muscle condition. Researcher Richard Davidson explained that "calming the mind also has an effect on the body and improves physical health," which could explain Gere's remarkable well-being at his age.
In addition to this mental approach, Gere also incorporates physical practices such as yoga into his daily routine. This discipline, combined with meditation, has allowed him to strengthen his emotional stability and deal with stress. Furthermore, his vegetarian diet, adopted many years ago, reflects his commitment to Buddhist philosophy and offers proven benefits such as improved cardiovascular health. His plant-based diet helps him stay healthy, and it has been reported that during his time in Spain, he is often seen buying products in health food stores, indicating that he also supplements his diet.
Gere has led an active life since he was young. In fact, The Telegraph highlighted that he received a gymnastics scholarship, a skill he later used to learn karate for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman. He also trained in tap dance for his performance in Chicago, showing his dedication to physical preparation in each of his projects.
Reflection on life and the importance of enjoying the present
Despite his focus on health and serenity, Gere also has a realistic view on life and death. In a conversation with Express UK, he shared his reflections on how he would have lived his life if he had known what he knows now: "None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself as an afterthought. If I had known my life would end like this, I would have lived it more intensely, enjoying everything I was told not to do. Eat delicious food. Walk under the sun. Go to the sea. Speak the truth you carry in your heart like a hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There's no time for anything else."
These words remind us that, in life, the most important thing is to live fully, without letting the day-to-day worries take away the possibility of enjoying what really matters.
