CONVERSATIONS WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA
BY MAE MAÑACAP- JOHNSON
In the field of alternative medicine and mind-body healing , Deepak
Chopra is one of today ’ s most prominent thought-leaders . Boardcertified in Internal Medicine , Endocrinology and Metabolism , Chopra initially envisioned a career in Western medicine . In 1970 , he left his home country , India , to pursue a medical career in the United States . Following a residency , he worked as chief of medicine at New England Memorial Hospital ( now called the Boston Regional Medical Center ). Not soon after , he became disenchanted with Western medicine practices , particularly on its reliance on prescription drugs . It was around this time that his interest in alternative medicine was ignited .
Today , Chopra is the founder of The Chopra Foundation and cofounder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing . He is also the author of more than 85 well-being books and was named by Time magazine as “ the poet-prophet of alternative medicine .” In this Conversations , he shares some of his philosophies , early influences and his views on the future of alternative medicine .
PULSE : Before “ wellness ” was a cool thing , you were among the few trailblazers on the philosophy of mindbody connection . As you paved the way , how did you deal with critics ? Chopra : Because of my background in internal medicine and neuroendocrinology , I saw a clear link between consciousness and biology . I was convinced that biology is different in different states of consciousness and my personal experience with meditation confirmed that . Even though the critics were vicious in the beginning , I learned to ignore it because I was convinced of the validity of the inseparability of mind and body . Of course , many decades later , we have research through gene expression , epigenetics and neuroplasticity to validate everything I said in the earlier years .
P : Who were some of your earliest influences or thought-teachers who helped you embrace the lifestyle you now live ? C : My personal teacher was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who brought meditation to the west , J . Krishnamurti , and my own reading of wisdom traditions , Upanishads .
P : You are a highly sought-after speaker , have written more than 85 books and continue to teach your philosophies to others . Where do you find the creative energy to do all that you do ?
C : I am passionate about the meaning and purpose of life , the source of existence and about the fact that our consciousness is a field of infinite possibilities . The creative energy comes from meditation , good sleep , yoga , exercise , and the emotions of love , compassion , joy and peace of mind .
P : You ’ ve written several books on the power of the mind , including one entitled Super Brain . What are some of the game-changing discoveries about our super brain that have since changed our views about mind-body connection ? C : The brain responds to every experience in every moment of our lives , so does our genetic activity . We have three brains : ( 1 ) Reptilian brain that is mostly concerned with the functions of survival ; ( 2 ) Limbic brain that is the orchestrator of our emotions
Chopra ’ s Prescriptions to Happiness
l Find passion and purpose in your life . l Be immune to criticism and flattery .
l Make compassion and love the most important reasons for doing anything in your life .
24 PULSE ■ January / February 2017