Deepak Chopra — The Man and His Philosophy

By Mystic Flores

Deepak Chopra is one of the most influential and popular figures in the field of alternative medicine, spirituality, and self-help. He has written over 90 books, many of which are bestsellers, and has appeared on numerous TV shows, podcasts, and events. He is the founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing and the Chopra Foundation, which aim to promote holistic health and wellness. He is also a professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego.

But who is Deepak Chopra, and what is his philosophy? How did he become such a renowned author and speaker? What are his main teachings and practices? And what are the criticisms and controversies that he faces? In this article, we will explore the life and work of Deepak Chopra, the man and his philosophy.

Early life and education

Deepak Chopra was born in New Delhi, India, in 1946. His father was a prominent cardiologist and a lieutenant in the British army. His mother was a homemaker who encouraged his interest in spirituality. He attended St. Columba’s School in Delhi, where he excelled in academics and sports. He was also influenced by the writings of Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rumi.

He decided to follow his father’s footsteps and study medicine. He graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1968 and moved to the United States in 1970. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in endocrinology at various hospitals in New Jersey and Massachusetts. He became a licensed physician and a board-certified endocrinologist. He also married Rita Chopra, with whom he has two children: Mallika and Gotham.

Career and transformation

In 1980, Chopra became the chief of staff at the New England Memorial Hospital in Massachusetts. He was successful and wealthy, but he was also stressed and unhappy. He smoked, drank, and ate unhealthy food. He suffered from migraines, insomnia, and allergies. He felt dissatisfied with his conventional medical practice, which he felt was limited and mechanistic.

He began to explore alternative therapies, such as Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal remedies. He also read books by Jiddu Krishnamurti, Osho, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Paramahansa Yogananda, and others. He was fascinated by the concepts of consciousness, energy, mind-body connection, quantum physics, and spirituality.

In 1985, he met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation ™. He became involved in the TM movement and learned the techniques of meditation and Ayurveda from him. He resigned from his position at the hospital and established the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center in Boston. He started to teach TM and Ayurveda to his patients and colleagues. He also wrote his first book: Creating Health: How to Wake Up the Body’s Intelligence.

In 1988, he published his second book: Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine. In this book, he introduced his idea of “quantum healing”, which claims that a person can heal themselves by accessing their “quantum mechanical body” through meditation. He also claimed that a person can achieve “perfect health”, which is “free from disease”, “never feels pain”, and “cannot age or die”

In 1991, he moved to California and became the executive director of the Sharp HealthCare’s Center for Mind-Body Medicine. He continued to write more books on topics such as aging, creativity, happiness, love, success, and spirituality. Some of his best-known books are: Ageless Body Timeless Mind (1993), The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (1994), The Way of the Wizard (1995), How to Know God (2000), The Book of Secrets (2004), The Soul of Leadership (2010), Super Brain (2012), The Future of God (2014), Metahuman (2019), Total Meditation (2020), etc.

In 1993, he gained more fame after he was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on her show about his books. He became a regular guest on her show and other media outlets. He also started to give lectures, workshops, seminars, retreats, and courses around the world. He collaborated with celebrities such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, and others.

In 1996, he co-founded the Chopra Center for Wellbeing with David Simon. The center offers programs and services based on Chopra’s philosophy and practices. It also trains teachers and practitioners in meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, and other modalities. The center has branches in several locations, such as New York, San Diego, Vancouver, and India.

In 2009, he founded the Chopra Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports research and education on consciousness, wellness, and peace. The foundation organizes events such as the Sages and Scientists Symposium, the Seduction of Spirit retreat, and the Global Meditation for Peace. The foundation also supports projects such as the Alliance for a New Humanity, the Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center, the Chopra Yoga Center, and the Chopra Library.

In 2016, he became a professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego. He also launched a new podcast called Deepak Chopra’s Mind Body Zone: Living Outside the Box. In this podcast, he talks to experts and celebrities about topics such as health, happiness, creativity, spirituality, and social change.

Philosophy and teachings

Chopra’s philosophy is based on a synthesis of various disciplines and traditions, such as Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, science, psychology, and philosophy. He believes that there is a deeper reality beyond the physical world, which he calls “the field of pure potentiality” or “the quantum mechanical body”. He says that this field is the source of all creation and intelligence. He also says that this field is identical to our true self or soul.

He teaches that we can access this field through meditation, which he defines as “the progressive quieting of the mind”. He says that meditation allows us to transcend our ego and experience our true nature, which is blissful, peaceful, loving, and creative. He also says that meditation has many benefits for our physical and mental health, such as reducing stress, enhancing immunity, improving memory, increasing happiness, and reversing aging.

Also he teaches that we can manifest our desires and intentions from this field by following certain principles or laws. He says that these laws are based on the natural order of the universe and the harmony of life. He says that these laws are: the law of pure potentiality, the law of giving and receiving, the law of karma or cause and effect, the law of least effort or effortless ease, the law of intention and desire, the law of detachment or freedom from attachment, and the law of dharma or purpose in life.

Chopra also teaches that we can heal ourselves and others by using our consciousness and energy. He says that our body is a reflection of our mind and emotions. He says that we can influence our body by changing our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes. He also says that we can use techniques such as visualization, affirmation, prayer, and mantra to activate our self-healing mechanisms. He also says that we can use natural remedies such as herbs, foods, spices, oils, and aromas to balance our doshas or body types.

He also teaches that we can evolve ourselves and humanity by expanding our awareness and compassion. He says that we are all connected by a collective consciousness or spirit. He says that we can influence this consciousness by raising our vibration or frequency. He also says that we can contribute to this consciousness by serving others and expressing our gifts and talents. He also says that we can create a more peaceful and harmonious world by practicing non-violence and forgiveness.

Here are some of Chopra’s quotes:

“If you want to understand the universe, think of energy, frequency, and vibration.”

“The greatest mystery of existence is existence itself.”

“You are not a human being having a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being having a human experience.”

“The ego is not who you are. The ego is your self-image; it is your social mask; it is the role you are playing.”

“The mind is not separate from the body. The mind is the software, and the body is the hardware.”

“The past is gone, the future is not here, now I am free of both. Right now, I choose joy.”

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.”

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.”

“Our intention creates our reality.”

“The highest levels of performance come to people who are centered, intuitive, creative, and reflective — people who know to see a problem as an opportunity.”

“Success comes when people act together; failure tends to happen alone.”

“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.”

“Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted.”

“Always go with your passions. Never ask yourself if it’s realistic or not.”

“The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.”

“Self-awareness is not just relaxation and not just meditation. It must combine relaxation with activity and dynamism.”

“I have all the time in the world. I am in touch with the timeless. I am surrounded by infinity.”

“The greatest act of courage is to be and to have the courage to be who you are.”

“The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness.”

“The body is the temple of the soul.”

Criticism and controversy

Chopra’s philosophy and practices have been criticized by many medical and scientific professionals as pseudoscience. They say that his ideas are not based on evidence or logic but on speculation and mysticism. They say that his use of terms such as “quantum”, “energy”, “consciousness”, and “healing” are misleading and inaccurate. They say that his claims are not testable or falsifiable but are vague and unfalsifiable. They say that his treatments are not effective or safe but are placebo or harmful.

Impact and legacy

Despite the criticism and controversy, Chopra has a huge impact and legacy in the world of alternative medicine, spirituality, and self-help. He has millions of followers and fans who admire his teachings and practices. He has inspired many people to improve their health, happiness, creativity, and spirituality. He has also influenced many other authors and speakers in his field, such as Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra Jr., etc.

He has received many awards and honors for his work, such as the Oceana Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the GOI Peace Award, the Humanitarian Starlite Award, the Cinequest Life of a Maverick Award, the Einstein Humanitarian Award, the Art for Life Award, etc. He has also been recognized by various magazines and organizations as one of the most influential and powerful people in the world, such as Time Magazine, Forbes Magazine, The World Post, The Huffington Post, etc.

He has also contributed to many social and humanitarian causes, such as environmental protection, animal rights, women empowerment, education, poverty alleviation, peace building, etc. He has also supported many charities and foundations, such as the Chopra Foundation, the David Lynch Foundation, the Alliance for a New Humanity, the ONE Campaign, the Global Poverty Project, the Rainforest Alliance, the PETA, the UNICEF, etc.

He has also created many products and services based on his philosophy and practices, such as books, audios, videos, courses, apps, games, jewelry, clothing, perfumes, etc. He has also partnered with many brands and companies, such as Oprah Winfrey Network, Amazon, Audible, Spotify, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, etc.

Conclusion

Deepak Chopra is a man who has dedicated his life to spreading his philosophy and practices of alternative medicine, spirituality, and self-help. He is a man who has faced many challenges and controversies in his career and personal life. He is a man who has achieved many successes and honors in his field and beyond. He is a man who has made a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world.