In her recent account, “Debating Deepak: Is this ‘spiritual guru’ really spiritual?” (May 9, 2012), Susan Blackmore raises questions that have fascinated me for over a quarter of a century. What is consciousness? How is the mind related to the body? What does it mean to lead a spiritual life? (more…)
Written by Marianne Schnall
Courtesy of HuffingtonPost
Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey in India / Photo Credit: © 2012 Harpo Inc./George Burns
When I recently attended the taping of Oprah’s Lifeclass at Radio City Music Hall in which Deepak Chopra served as guest teacher, you could feel the mutual respect, affection and friendship between the two trailblazing thought leaders (during the show Oprah lovingly referred to the combination of Oprah and Chopra as “Choprah”). In fact, it was Deepak Chopra who Oprah says was the inspiration for her recent trip to India. So it is compelling to watch Oprah turn her probing interviewing skills upon the world-renowned author and spiritual pioneer, in an insightful interview which airs this coming Sunday on a special one-hour episode of her “Super Soul Sunday” series on the network she founded, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
In the interview, taped in India, Dr. Chopra talks about his ground-breaking work in the field of mind-body medicine, the lessons he’s learned from his parents and family, the influence that India’s rich cultural traditions have had on his journey, and offers spiritual advice such as the importance of living in the present moment. He also shares personal stories and insights, such as his recent life-changing experience as a Buddhist monk in Thailand as well as reflections about his family and his wife Rita who he has rarely talked about in the media. It is a thought-provoking and intimate sit down about life, spirit and enlightenment between two of today’s most inspiring personalities.
Here is an exclusive excerpt from the never-seen-before interview as well as two video clips. The episode will premiere this Sunday, April 29th at 11am ET/10am CT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (if you are not sure where to find OWN, use the channel finder ).
Oprah: OK. I just want you to finish these sentences. Life is…
Deepak: A field of infinite possibilities and an opportunity to evolve in the direction of truthfulness beauty and harmony.
Oprah: The world needs…
Deepak: More compassion and love.
Oprah: I believe in…
Deepak: the divinity of all life.
Oprah: Love is…
Deepak: the ultimate truth of the heart of creation. It’s not a sentiment or an emotion. It’s the fact that we’re all the same being in different disguises.
Oprah: Modern medicine must….
Deepak: Learn to look at the soul and not just body.
Oprah: I want to thank…
Deepak: I want to thank all the people that have given me so much love without my even asking for it.
Oprah: The person I want to be most proud of me is…
Deepak: My children and my grandchildren and their grandchildren.
Oprah: I am ready to forgive…
Deepak: I have already forgiven.
Oprah: Great. I want my legacy to be….
Deepak: A passing breeze. A pattern of behavior of the universe that came and is now gone but the fragrance lingers.
Oprah: Whew-oh. That’s really great. That’s really great.
“Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour” Featuring Co-Teacher Deepak Chopra and Guest Perez Hilton Premieres starting on, Monday April 23
Super Soul Sunday Features Oprah’s Interview with Deepak Chopra In India on Sunday, April 29
Deepak Chopra, Perez Hilton and Oprah Winfrey on stage for “Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour” at Radio City Music Hall in New York City / Photo Credit: © 2012 Harpo Inc./George Burns
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will feature world-renowned thought leader Dr. Deepak Chopra in two programs this week, including “Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour” as Chopra takes the stage alongside Oprah Winfrey at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to discuss Spiritual Solutions to air tonight, Monday April 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, then a one-on-one interview with Winfrey and Chopra from India on Super Soul Sunday to air this Sunday, April 29 at 11 a.m. ET/PT.
“Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour” Spiritual Solutions (begins Monday, April 23 from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT)
World-renowned thought leader Deepak Chopra joins Oprah to help viewers find spiritual solutions to life’s most difficult problems. They talk to Gossip blogger Perez Hilton talks about his path to spiritual awakening and how it has impacted his business and a mother living with worry, guilt, anger and fear after all three of her daughters were in a crippling car accident 12 years ago. Through Facebook, Twitter, Skype and an audience of more than 5,000 in New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Oprah and Deepak will take questions from Lifeclassers all around the world. This inspiring episode will teach viewers how to connect to something greater than themselves, live fully in the present and dissolve negative thoughts to create richer, more joyful lives.
Sneak peek of the Spiritual Solutions episode:
Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey in India / Photo Credit: © 2012 Harpo Inc./George Burns
Super Soul Sunday “Oprah And Deepak Chopra In India” (Sunday, April 29 at 11 a.m. ET/PT)
In a special, one-hour “Super Soul Sunday,” Oprah Winfrey sits down with world-renowned thought leader Dr. Deepak Chopra who was the inspiration for her recent trip to India. Dr. Chopra joins Winfrey for a revealing conversation about his ground-breaking work in the field of mind-body medicine, the life lessons he’s learned from his parents and family, and the influence that India’s rich cultural traditions have had on his journey. He also describes his recent life-changing experience as a Buddhist monk in Thailand.
Sneak peek of Super Soul Sunday: Deepak and Oprah
Meet Deepak and join him for meditation. Ask him your deepest questions about health, spirituality, and life in general.
Here are the details:
This Thursday, April 19th
Ask Deepak at 10 am, Meditation Flash Mob at 11am
Union Square (West Plaza) NYC
Be a part of The Chopra Foundation’s “Death Makes Life Possible’ – Watch the trailer and let us know your thoughts by voting at IMTF
Death Makes Life Possible
* Category: Documentary
* Genre: Science & Education
* Director: Marilyn Schlitz
* Producer: Deepak Chopra & Marilyn Schlitz
‘Death Makes Life Possible’ explores the taboo topic of death and asks the fundamental question: How can understanding death give meaning to our lives? Marilyn Schlitz, is a cultural anthropologist and scientist who sets out to find answers to the ultimate meaning of life, death, and what lies beyond. Featuring Deepak Chopra, Mingtong Gu, Julie Beischel, Edgar Mitchell, Dean Radin, Marilyn Schlitz and some of the world’s greatest researchers of consciousness, out-of-body experiences and life-after-death – ‘Death Makes Life Possible’ takes us on a journey of exploration beyond the physical body. Facing the fear of death can transform the experience of living. ‘Death Makes Life Possible’ is a must see for anyone who’s going to die. [USA]
