An interview with Dr. Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing and best-selling author.
By Madu Cabral
1. What are the major habits we have today that impact our health?
According to Ayurveda, which means "Science of Life ", human beings will really be healthy if they live their lives connected to the rhythms of nature. Along with progress comes technology and human beings are more and more disconnected from these natural rhythms.
To satisfy our egos we need more power and to be in control. And this cycle goes on and on and each day we become more and more disconnected from our being. So we have to go back to nature and to silence. We need to transfer our point of reference from outside, from the material world to our spiritual heart.
2. How can Yoga and Ayurveda help to improve our health?
Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences that walk together to the well being of humanity. Yoga is the path of self-realization. Ayurveda is the path to obtain good health. Ayurveda sees life as the exchange of energy and information among Individuals and their environment. If our environment provides nourishment, we thrive; if our environment offers toxicity, we languish. Yoga aims at the union of our three bodies: physical, subtle and causal. It strengths the physical body, balances the subtle body, and centers us to get in touch with our causal body, thus aligning material reality with virtual reality. By accessing permanently the field of pure potentiality, the field of infinite possibilities it enables each of us to lead a healthy and prosperous life.
3. How do these philosophies, born in such a different culture, adapt to our western culture?
Changing habits is very difficult for human beings. Change is only possible when we create a new habit to replace old ones.
It is time to create a new paradigm in our lives, to go back to ancient knowledge and access its wisdom to help us survive with contentment. This change has to be in a very gradual way, flowing slowly, every day a little bit more, until we observe the changes in our daily lives. Every right action happens effortlessly.
4. How can meditation and pranayama influence our health and our state of mind?
For the first time in the history of mankind, science is proving the existence of spirituality.
When we control Prana, we are able to control the mind. Through Pranayamas we balance our emotions, control our thoughts, strengthen our immune and endocrine systems and create energy to flow through our body. Meditation teaches us to quieten down the mind, open the silent space between our thoughts and helps us move towards self-knowledge and self-development. Through these silent spaces, we enter the field of pure potentiality and can bring positive change in our lives.
5. How can we find inner peace? Can you give us some practical tips and exercises?
The field of pure potentiality is pure peace! It is a place where there is no stress, no pain, no suffering. It is a place beyond the human duality of good and bad, light and shadow, divine and diabolic.
In common language, we have to “visit” this place everyday. We have to learn to quieten our minds learning how to live in the present moment so that the light of the field of pure potentiality can pass through our egos and minds and dwell in us every day.
This peace will remain in us even amidst chaos, even amidst situations of challenge in our lives. As for some practical tips, yoga teaches could make of some guided sentences such as: “Sit comfortably, in an upright position. Close your eyes and bring your attention to the present moment, without judging or having any expectations.
Just be…Now begin observing your breath. Slowly inhale and exhale. Feel the prana entering your nostrils and then going out in a gentle and fluid manner. Do not control. If any thoughts cross your mind, just go back to the breathing and enjoy it for at least ten minutes.”
Slowly you will get used to this exercise. When it has become natural and comfortable, increase the time of practice.
6. How does this inner peace influence our surroundings?
The universe is a huge void full of photons. This very same space is permanently vibrating. When we think, all our thoughts are projected into these photons. This means that all our thoughts of anger, fear, resentment, are inside these photons. So the whole universe vibrates influencing all of us with these emotions that are very common.
If we are able to feel peace in our hearts, we will automatically project this very same peace to replenish these photons and the whole universe will vibrate in peace again. Every human being will receive the vibrations of peace, harmony, laughter and love.
7. What can a large group meditation do for the world?
One person alone is not able to do much. But if we are able to create a critical mass of people transforming themselves, people that really want to connect themselves with their spirits and attain inner peace we will be powerful enough to start a shift in the vibration of the universe. From violence to peace…Each of us is responsible for creating a better world. Together, we will make the difference for a better world.
Just be part of it!
Be part of peace!!
On November 7, 2008 500 people attending the Alliance for a New Humanity Human Forum in Barcelona took a vow for non violence in their thoughts, speech and actions. Each person decided to ask other people in their lives to join them in taking the vow. The goal then became to create a global movement, which would mobilize 100 million people to make the same commitment. If you are seriously committed to peace, join us in this global movement and take the vow.
itakethevow.com