Why it’s better to have a mind than a brain

I’ve decided once more to write about the mind. In particular, the point must be made that we are not our brains. We are our minds, a rich, alive, constantly changing mystery. The brain carries out what the mind wants. To mistake the brain, a lump of proteins, sugar, and water, for a mind is a drastic mistake. (more…)

A Practical Approach to Talking About Honor Killing

By Deepak Chopra, Jim Buck and Rinde Pasori
Recently, a story appeared in Huffington Post about a 16 year old Turkish girl who was buried alive by her father and grandfather for having talked to boys. The West rightly finds this a horrific practice. However, many in the West also misunderstand and conveniently condemn honor killing as a practice of Islam. The mistake with this condemnation is that Islam does not permit or condone honor killing. However, it is precisely this misunderstanding and ignorance that allows many in the West to participate in a climate of hate, mistrust and even the idea of war against all of Islam.

How To Be Your Own Placebo (Part 2)

In an earlier post I raised the question of the mind healing the body. We know that this is possible because of the placebo effect, in which patients obtain relief even though the doctor has given them only a sugar pill, an injection of saline solution, or some other innocuous substance. The placebo effect, contrary to widespread suspicion, is a “real” cure. Pain is diminished; symptoms are alleviated. But it depends upon deception. The doctor knows that he is giving a harmless substance; the patient doesn’t.

(more…)

Ask Deepak: How to Reach Spiritual Enlightenment

Each week,  Deepak Chopra responds to Oprah.com users’ questions with enlightening advice to help them live their best lives.

Q: Is it man’s purpose to seek and reach enlightenment? What are the obstacles to reaching enlightenment, and how does one overcome these obstacles? I preach positive thinking to all that are around me, yet sometimes I find myself feeling hopeless and can’t get out of the rut. Please help. Thank you.

— Claudette Y., Fair Oaks, California

Published at Oprah.com (more…)