Ask Deepak: Fear of the Divine

Question: 

Dear Dr. Chopra, In the past I was very much into meditation and I know what a difference it can make in one’s life. During one meditation I had a very profound experience where I felt a communion/communication with the Divine and a feeling of utter bliss. I will never forget it. But over the last year I have had difficulty entering a meditative state. Partly because I have a very exhaustive schedule now and I wind up falling asleep, but also because it seems I am almost afraid of having another profound experience. I don’t understand this because it was such a wonderful and life-affirming experience. I want very much to have regular meditation as a part of my life, but I feel blocked by this fear even though I know it is irrational and unnecessary. What could be the reason for this and how can I move past it?

 

Response:

From the limited information in your letter I can’t be sure of what is behind your fear of having another profound experience of the Divine in meditation, but given what you said how much you value that connection and then what you said about your busy schedule, I can’t help but wonder if you feel that having such a deep spiritual communion with the Divine somehow obligates you to change your life to respect and accommodate it. And given that your work schedule is so pressing now, perhaps you feel you couldn’t make any life changes anyway, so you are subconsciously afraid of meditation so you can avoid such a dilemma or decision altogether. If something like that is the case, reassure yourself that all such spiritual experiences come with no strings attached. Nothing is expected of you. All such judgments are products of your ego-mind and have nothing to do with your real spiritual progress.

Love,

Deepak

Ask Deepak: Settling for a Non-Soulmate

Question:

You mentioned in one of your video blogs that a soulmate is someone who matches the frequency of one’s soul and this phenomenon is very rare. If it is so rare Dr. Chopra than can you suggest how to move on and not wait for a soulmate although I believe in it very deeply. How to begin a relationship with someone I think and I know is not my soulmate but is potentially a good partner. Please help!

 

Response:

Successful partnership is about finding and creating the loving relationship that is right for your spiritual and emotional needs. It is not about living a romantic fairytale about perfect love. If a soulmate is what you need, then it will happen, but if it isn’t what you need, then why waste time waiting for a fantasy that isn’t even what you need right now? 

There are all kinds of essential loving relationships that enrich our lives, it is mistaken to believe that we need to reject the love that comes our way in life in order to hold out for an imaginary, perfect ideal love that will complete us. I have found that the mental ideal of the soulmate ironically tends to drive people into a desperate state, disconnected from the love that is around them.

Love,

Deepak

Ask Deepak: Cremation

Question:

 I am 70 years old…Thinking more now of mortality…Do you think that cremation is acceptable in the eyes of God?

 

Response:

In India, as you might know, cremation isn’t just acceptable, it is the norm. So I assume by asking me if God is okay with it, you are seeking additional assurance that cremation won’t disqualify you from the Christian Resurrection. I can’t help you on the Christian theological aspects  of your question, but on the general sense of whether God is okay with cremation, I’m going to go out on a limb and say “yes.”

Love,

Deepak

Ask Deepak: Head Turning in Meditation

Question: 

When I meditate twice a day, my head always turns to the left. I don’t do this intentionally; I just suddenly realize my head is turned. It happens almost every time for a number of years now. I have been meditating 40+ years. Can you explain why this happens? 

 

Response:

The muscles and other soft tissue in your neck has stored some old trauma and now as it is being released in meditation, the muscles are contracting and expanding as a way to facilitate that release. Don’t pay it any attention. It will eventually go away when the old trauma has healed.

Love,

Deepak

Ask Deepak: Recognizing Intuition

Question:

 Hi Deepak, Please tell me how to recognize my intuition. I have thoughts, fears, and desires, but I’m at a loss. What is intuition and how do I know what it is enough to trust it?

 

Response:

Reliable intuition should come from a very quiet comfortable feeling inside, not an agitated, excited place. Fear and desire can cloud one’s intuition. If you quiet your mind and come to that stillness within that is beyond fear or desire, you will find your source of pure intuition.

Love,

Deepak