Religious Movements Homepage: Deepak Chopra

Deepak Chopra

I. Group Profile

Name: Deepak Chopra and Mind Body Medicine
Founder: Deepak Chopra
Date of Birth: 1947
Birth Place: New Delhi, India
Year Founded: Chopra established the American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine in 1991. In 1995, he opened the Chopra Center for Well Being in La Jolla, California where he serves as educational director.
Brief History: Deepak Chopra attended the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and embarked on a career in western medicine. After graduating in 1968, he interned at a New Jersey hospital, trained for several more years at the Lahey Clinic and the University of Virginia Hospital and became board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. Hetaught at Tufts and Boston University Schools of Medicine, became the chief of staff at the New England Memorial Hospital and established a large private practice. However, during this time, despite his apparent success, he noticed a growing lack of fulfillment(exacerbated by his unhealthy lifestyle which boasted smoking a pack of cigarettes a day and heavy drinking to calm his nerves) and the nagging question,"Am I doing all that I can for my patients?" (1)These doubts led him to Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing from India. Dr. Chopra immediately realized that here was a system of health care that actually treated the whole person; a system whose guiding principle is that the mind exerts the deepest influence on the body.
Sacred or Revered Texts: Chopra would acknowledge Hindu texts such as the Bhagavad-Gita as sacred. To many of his enthusiasts, Chopra's writings themselves have a sacred quality. Among his best- selling works are: The Path to Love (1997) , Ageless Body/Timeless Mind (1993) , Journey Into Healing (1994) , Perfect Health Library: Perfect Digestion, Perfect Weight, Restful Sleep (1990) , The Return of Merlin (1996) , The Way of the Wizard (1996) , Creating Health (1995) , Creating Affluence (1995) , The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (1994) , Quantum Healing(1989) , Unconditional Life (1991)
Cult or Sect:

Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect"

Size of Group: Client cults do not have members, per se, but Deepak Chopra's following is quite large. He has become one of America's best known healers and alternative medicine advocates. He is the author of 19 books, a couple of which have been on the best-seller list simultaneously, more than 30 audio, video, and CD ROM programs. He has been published on every continent and in a dozen languages. Nearly 10 million copies of his books have been sold in English alone. In conjunction with PBS, he has produced a number of TV and video programs. Among them are Body, Mind and Soul: The Mystery and the Magic, one of the most highly-viewed and successful fundraisers in the history of the network. His courses always sell out, even at a rate of $2,900 for a seven-day course!

II. Beliefs of the Group

Utne Reader

"I'm obsessed with the infinite possiblities that are contained within the human potential, that the human being is literally a field of pure potentiality. I am fascinated by the fact that almost everything we see around us, from fax machines to jet planes, is literally a manifestation of human consciousness. And yet, with all thisamazing potential, most humans are not happy. Therefore, I am obsessed with the idea of helping to unfold the full range of human potential and self-knowledge. I want to make it available to as many people as possible and I want a day to come when the study of self-knowledge becomes an integral part of the educational system...then perhaps we will see a world of peace, harmony, laughter, and love."

Mind-Body Medicine maintains that for every experience in the mind, there is a corresponding change in the physiology and biochemistry in the body. The essential foundation of mind-body medicine is that health is not merely the absence of disease. Rather, it is the "dynamic integration of our environment, body, mind, and spirit." (2) Chopra believes in reducing stress through meditation techniques, improving vitality through balanced nutrition, and developing flexibility, energy and endurance through yoga and exercise. These, he offers, are a few of the approaches of mind-body medicine. Herbal medicine, massage , sound, movement, and aromatherapy are other tools of mind-body medicine that Chopra believes can advance mental and physical well being.

"Mind body-medicine offers new possibilities for promoting and improving health through natural approaches that stimulate our body's intrinsic healing system." (3) The book Alternative Medicine The Definitive Guide defines Mind body medicine in this way: Recognizing the profound interconnection of mind and body, the body's innate healing capabilities, and the role of self- responsibility in the healing process, mind/body medicine utilizes a wide range of modalities, including biofeedback , imagery , hypnotherapy , meditation , and yoga. (346)

Ayurvedic healing traces its roots to the Vedic period in ancient India (1500 B.C.E.). Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means life and veda which means the knowledge of. To know about life is Ayurveda. (4) In the modern world, Ayurveda is increasingly popular because it speaks to those elementary concepts of contact with nature, holism, and we are what we eat. Its principles are not only used to treat those who are ill, but also to prepare a balanced meal and to construct a harmonious environment. Ayurveda, according to Chopra, brings to life the concepts of preventive healthcare and health promotion.

The goal of Ayurveda is to help the individual discover a personal knowledge of living. As part of this, proponents of Ayurveda including Chopra recommend Yoga and Tantra to deepen self-knowledge and to discover one's role within nature.

Yoga, which means union, is an approach which conjoins all of the disconnected elements of the human being. It is anything that serves to unify the individual into a whole. Tantra is a systematic approach to dissolve personal limitations. The Tantric approach is to continually redefine personal reality. Tantra, according to those who practice Ayurveda, is the path of freedom. Through tantra, one aspires to recognize the unity of the Human and the Divine. (5)

Ayurveda holds that functions of the body are governed by three biological humors called doshas - pitta, vata, and kapha. Each of these forces is symbolized by an element in nature. Ether and air combine to form the Vata dosha . Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore is the dosha that controls nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination.

Fire forms the Pitta dosha . Pitta is the process of transformation or metabolism.

Finally, water symbolizes the Kapha dosha . Kapha is responsible for growth and protection. (6)

Illness is caused by an imbalance in the doshas. Imbalance,according to Chopra, implies that the flow of energy through the body is disrupted. The disruptions are caused by the stresses of life and the buildup of body toxins from a bad diet or unhealthy habits. Chopra insists that these disruptions can be cured by following the needs of one's dosha, through herbs and dietary changes, and by detoxifying the body with enemas and massages.(7) When these forces act in harmony, the functions of digestion, absorption, and elimination (physical and mental) ensure proper health.

Meditation is supposedly the most important tool in Ayurveda because it works on the body and the mind simultaneously. The theory is that health is a higher state of consciousness and higher states of consciousness will naturally lead to better health. In Washington D.C., in 1985, Chopra was introduced to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi , the founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement . The TM technique involves a procedure whereby the mind easily and naturally arrives at the source of all thought-transcendental consciousness, which is the source, according to believers of all creative processes. It promotes health, provides for deep relaxation, eliminates stress, increases creativity and intelligence, and helps one to attain inner happiness and fulfillment. According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, "Transcendental Meditation opens the awareness to the infinite reservoir of energy, creativity and intelligence that lies deep within everyone." (8)

Chopra has since broken ties with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but continues to promote meditation as a way to develop a deeper self-knowledge. He has named his meditation technique the Mindfulness of Meditation Technique . This is a simple procedure that can "create a deep state of relaxation in your mind and body." It involves a close awareness of one's body, especially one's breathing patterns.(9)

Quantum Healing or quantum medicine is essential, according to proponents, for ensuring total health. This approach rejects the idea of reductionism, (that things can be understood in terms of their component parts) since everything is related. Quantum mechanics maintains that everything causes everything else. Here again, Chopra reinforces the notion that all parts of the human being-the mind, soul, and body-must be examined as one entity. The three components cannot be separated; when one is out of balance, the entire being loses its equilibrium,and quite possibly a loss of total well-being.

The body is not a frozen sculpture but a river of information and energy that is constantly renewing itself...We are quantum events, impulses of intelligence in the unified field; each part of the body has its own mind. It is not that there is a mind- body connection, mind and body are inseparably one, in every aspect of our psychology, at the levels of the cells. (10)

Overall, quantum healing is healing the body/mind from a quantum level. That means, according to Chopra, from a level which is not manifest at a sensory level. Quantum healing involves a shift in the fields of energy information in the body, so as to bring about a correction in an idea that has gone wrong. "So quantum healing involves healing one mode of consciousness, mind, to bring about changes in another mode of consciousness, body." (11)

Chopra has also emphasized the importance of a proper diet in order to maintain total health. Again, the Ayurvedic approach to nutrition is a consciousness- based approach, so that more important than any approach is "awareness of one's interaction with food as part of conscious universe." (12) This awareness exists on many levels: the awareness one has when putting the food into one's mouth, the awareness of the cook who has prepared the food, even the awareness of the farmer who has grown the product, all these influence the life energy or prana of the food. When one eats pre-packaged or canned foods, Chopra believes, it does not provide the eater with the utmost feeling of energy because it is missing the life force/life energy, which is an expression of consciousness in Ayurveda.

Another important aspect of Ayurvedic nutrition is the emphasis on taste as an indicator. Knowledge about nutrition is obtained through taste and the effects of food in terms of awareness: whether particular foods make you feel heavy or light, congested or energized, hot or cold.

Chopra also maintains the importance of fasting and enemas as a vehicle for detoxification and purification.

Finally, although Chopra only serves vegetarian dishes at his seminars and his Center for Well Being, Ayurveda is not necessarily strictly vegetarian. For Chopra, however, there is a spiritual reason for being vegetarian.(13)

As a prolific author, Chopra has been able to reach millions of people, teaching them about Ayurveda and spiritual health. In his best selling book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind , Chopra invites his reader to imagine a time when disease and aging and the deterioration of the environment are no longer inevitable. In order for this to become a reality, the reader is asked to follow Chopra's Ten Keys to Happiness . Briefly, these include:

(1) Listen to your body's wisdom.
(2) Live in the present, for it is the only moment you have.
(3) Take time to be silent, to meditate.
(4) Relinquish your need for external approval.
(5) When you find yourself reacting with anger or opposition to any person or circumstance, realize that you are only struggling with yourself.
(6) Know that the world "out there" reflects your reality "in here."
(7) Shed the burden of judgement.
(8) Don't contaminate your body with toxins, either food, drink, or toxic emotions.
(9) Replace fear-motivated behavior with love-motivated behavior.
(10) Understand that the physical world is just a mirror of a deeper intelligence. (14)

In Journey Into Healing: Awakening the Wisdom Within You , Chopra offers some inspiring thoughts which he believes will help the reader find peace within oneself, with the objective, once again, that what one thinks and feels can influence one's health. These thoughts include:

(1) When the mind is peaceful, inner energies wake up and work miracles for us.
(2) The use of love is to heal.
(3) Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things toward you.
(4) Healthy people live in the present.
(5) An intimate relationship allows you to be yourself.
(6) Accept what comes to you totally and completely.
(7) When life is full, it is only love, and when awareness isfull, it brings only love.
(8) Your mind gives you control.
(9) Health is not just the absence of disease, it is an inner joyfullness.
(10) Enchantment is our natural state.
(11) Attend to your own inner health and well being.
(12) Allow your love to nourish yourself as well as others. (15)

Success in life, according to Chopra, can be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. In his book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Chopra lists these seven laws . Succinctly, they are as follows:

(1) Law of Pure Potentiality
(2) Law of Giving
(3) Law of Karma or Cause and Effect
(4) Law of Least Effort
(5) Law of Intention and Desire
(6) Law of Detachment
(7) Law of Dharma or Purpose in Life (16)

III. Issues and Controversies

Deepak Chopra is controversial to many people. Many, including the American Medical Association, have labeled him a charlatan, becoming rich because of "this new-age mumbo- jumbo." Stephen Barrett, M.D., author of "A Few Thoughts on Ayurvedic Mumbo Jumbo" argues that "As far as I can tell, Chopra has neither published nor personally conducted any scientific studies testing whether the methods he promotes help people become healthier or live longer." In 1994, Forbes magazine attacked him as "the latest in a line of gurus who have prospered by blending pop-science, pop-psychology, and pop-Hinduism."

Chopra was at the center of controversy in 1991, when JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) published an article entitled,"Letter From New Delhi: Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Modern Insights into Ancient Medicine," by Hari Sharma, Brihaspati Dev Triguna, and Chopra. The medical community responded negatively to the article by citing the lack of evidence concerning the beneficial effects of transendental meditation. Again, they pointed to the lack of empirical evidence. "When asked if he would agree to a test of these claims made in JAMA using a blinded protocol, Chopra declined on the grounds that a blinded experiment would "eliminate the most crucial component of the experiment, which is consciousness." (17) The medical community was not amused.(18)

Perhaps the most explosive controversy came as a result of a scathing article written by Matt Labash in the July 1, 1996 edition of the Weekly Standard. Labash reported allegations that Dr. Chopra had frequented a prostitute, committed plagiarism, and sold mail-order herbal remedies that contained high levels of rodent hairs. In this article titled, "Leader of the Deepak," Labash dubbed Chopra a "huckster" and "Hindu televangelist."

The magazine claimed it could back up its story's facts with lie-detector tests and handwriting analysis. In fact, to back up on-the-record comments from the prostitute, Judy Bangert, the Weekly Standard obtained receipts from her escort serice which contained Chopra's American Express card imprint and signature. The Standard also had a copy of the bill from the hotel where three trysts allegedly occurred in 1991.

Chopra pursued a $35 million libel suit against the Standard and Labash. As the suit progressed, it was clear that the magazine's defense was weakening. Bangert recanted her story in an affadavit about six months into the litigation: "Dr. Deepak Chopra did not pay me for sex and did not have sex with me." (19) She was subsequently dropped from the defense team in the libel suit.

Labash was also sued by Chopra, along with two local lawyers and two private investigators. That suit charges that the group conspired to extort $1 million from Chopra in return for not publicizing the prostitute allegations.

Ultimately, the Weekly Standard agreed to a settlement because of witness unreliability and potentially unethical acts committed by Labash. The settlement also called for an abject apology for publishing a "false and misleading" cover story. (20)

In the June 23, 1997 issue, the magazine wrote, "We regret any harm that may unjustly have been done to Dr. Chopra's reputation...we now believe that the general tone of our article was unfair."

Chopra has also come under attack by evangelical Christians, the so-called, "counter- cultists." The Watchman Fellowship criticizes Chopra on these grounds:

"'Alternative' health practices are of concern because many of those practices make claims of diagnostic capabilities, or for treatment, which are unsubstantiated by reasonable means as effective and beneficial. In contrast, 'conventional' medicine is based on scientific standards established by objective evidence for effectiveness, safety, and benefit...Christians understand that the world is a creation of God. This physical world and its components operate in systematic, orderly ways which can be discovered. Practically speaking, a basic system of how to discover things about the physical world and the laws that govern it has been developed over many years." (21)

The Christian Research Institute , another counter-cult organization, claims that many of Chopra's techniques and beliefs are mythical religious practices which are "physically and spiritually hazardous" to Christians:

"Would Chopra's patients continue with Maharishi Ayurveda if they knew that the real purpose behind the practice is to contact the essence of the Hindu God Brahman and to experientially recreate oneself as God through occult practices?...Finally, [Chopra's followers]should ask themselves, what did this kind of philosophy do for the occult sages of India, or Indian culture itself? It is difficult to deny that the appalling social conditions endemic to India...are to a significant degree the result of its own paganism. In the end, it is to such paganism that Dr. Chopra would have us devote our bodies and souls." (22)

IV. Links to Deepak Chopra Web Sites

Deepak Chopra Pages

Deepak Chopra Homepage
This is Chopra's official webpage. It begins with a message from Chopra himself which incorporates his mission. Also included are a biography of Chopra, information regarding Mind/Body Medicine, The Chopra Center for Well Being, a list of his publications, a calendar of events, and a list of courses and seminars.
http://www.chopra.com

Spirit to Spirit: Deepak Chopra
This site provides a concise biography of Chopra. It also contains excerpts from his various books including Ten Keys to Happiness, Secrets of Serenity, Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. This site offers an online bookshop and articles about Chopra in their online library.
http://www.oneimage.com/~sandi/spirit/s-chopra.html#bio

People featured:Deepak Chopra
This site provides a brief bio and background about the foundations of Ayurvedic Medicine. It also lists Chopra's publications.
http://www.mysticfire.com/NIChopra.html

Books by Deepak Chopra
This site lists Chopra's publications and gives the searcher an opportunity to order them. http://www.interfaithfellowship.org/oncourse/bookstore/chopra.html

Deepak Chopra's La Jolla Retreat
This site describes the experience of a three-day weekend in the Chopra Center for Well Being. It discusses the concepts of dosha and meditation through the eyes of the author. This is a very informative site because it takes the reader on a "tour" of the La Jolla retreat. It describes the phsical layout of the center, as well as the treatments one would receive as a client there.
http://mouth.pathfinder.com/fortune/1996/961209/fir3.html

Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
This site lists and elaborates on Chopra's Seven Spiritual laws of Success. It gives a clear and organized presentation.
http://www.engin.umd.umich.edu/~alpha/laws.htm

Ten Keys to Happiness
This site lists and elaborates on Chopra's Ten Keys to Happiness as discussed in his book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind . It gives a clear and organized presentation.
http://www.wholeliving.com/Articles/keys.html

Media Attention

Deepak Chopra Interviewed
This site provides an interview between Chopra and Sandra Goodman and Mike Howell. The basic question-answer format of the site allows for a clear presentation of what is meant by Ayurvedic medicine. There is much information regardingAyurvedic nutrition, diet, and health presented here.
www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Interviews/chopra.htm

In Touch Magazine Interviews Deepak Chopra, M.D.
This site provides an In Touch Magazine Exclusive Interview by Veronica M. Hay. In it, Chopra discusses his philosophies of aging, mind-body medicine, quantum healing, and Ayurveda.
http://www.intouchmag.com/chopra.html

Chopra's Critics

Deepak Chopra Interview
This is an article from "Shameless Mind," a trancenet.org publication. It relates an interview between Chopra and the author of the publication where Chopra defends himself against allegations printed in a July 1, 1996 article by Matt Labash in the "Weekly Standard" contending that Chopra had frequented a prostitute and committed plagiarism.
http://www.trancenet.org/chopra/interview/index.shtml

Deepak Chopra and Ayurvedic Mumbo-Jumbo
This article from the Quackwatch homepage is written by Stephan Barrett, M.D. who systematically refutes Chopra's claims that Ayurveda and Mind-Body Medicine are legitimate answers to curing ills.
http://www.quackwatch.com/04ConsumerEducation/chopra.html

Shameless Mind: Deepak Chopra and Maharishi Ayurvedic Medicine
This article from Shameless Mind, a trancenet.org publication, by Thomas J. Wheeler, PhD of the National Council Against Health Fraud. This article defines Ayurveda, describes Chopra's role in it, relates the response of the American Medical Association,enumerates some points about the scientific status of Ayurveda, which according to the author is ineffective and unproven, includes the latest catalog of Chopra's offerings, and finally discusses Quantum Healing.
http://www.trancenet.org/chopra/news/ncahf.shtml

The Watchman Expositor
This site provides an article titled "Alternative Medicine in the Church" by Janice Lyons. It is from The Watchman Expositor , a magazine put out by the Watchman Fellowship, a counter-cultist organization, devoted to exposing and educating Christians about the dangers of what they consider hazardous cults of new religious movements. This site also has a Profile of Chopra. http://www.watchman.org/altmed2.htm
http://www.watchman.org/choprapro.htm

The Christian Research Journal
This site provides an article titled "A Summary Critique" by John Weldon and Stephen C. Myers. It is from the Christian Research Journal , a magazine put out by the Christian Research Institute, an evangelical counter- cultist organization devoted to "protecting Christians from the lies of the cults."
http://www.equip.org/archives/arti...al/crj0164a.txt&title;=crj0164a.txt

The Seven Critical Questions about Deepak Chopra
This critique of Chopra's best selling book The Seven Laws of Success by Paul O'Brienis organized seven questions corresponding to the seven laws.
http://www.mtsac.edu/~dlane/deepak.html

Related Pages

Mind-Body Medicine
This web site was created for a course offered at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Studies, and is intended to be a resource guide for the subject of Mind- Body Medicine. It includes a brief definition of Mind-Body medicine, it povides online and CD-ROM Databases, print reference works, general books, journals and magazines, and internet resources including links to other Mind-Body web sites, information and evaluation of search engines, and mailing lists and newsgroups.
http://www.fis.utoronto.ca/~mckenzie/documents/mind-body.html

Center For Mind-Body Medicine
This site provides a brief, clear and concise definition of mind-body medicine as defined by the Center for Mind Body medicine.
http://www.healthy.net/othersites/mindbody/whatis.htm

About Ayurveda
This web site gives a clear definition of Ayurveda, including its origin, meanings of the mind, body, and senses, and the soul, and the basic principles of Ayurveda.
http://www.ayur.com/about.html

Ayurveda
This site is maintained by Spiritweb.org, which aims to promote spiritual consciousness on the internet. Here, ayurvedic medicine is defined, and a history is given. The basic concepts of Ayurveda are outlined,and possible treatments are discussed.
http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/ayurveda.html

Meditation Practice
This site begins by discussing the definition and the potential benefits of meditation. Later, it outlines the basic procedure step by step of meditation.
http://www.csa-davis.org/meditat.html

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
This site from the Website of Bliss and Enlightenment gives a brief biography of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his significance.
http://www.lisco.com/wuebben/TM/Maharishi.html

Complete Guide to the Transcendental Meditation Programme
This site illustrates the TM technique. It gives the reader an idea of the basics to begin to meditate in this way. It offers site topic links which include among others, the seven steps to learn the TM programme.
http://www.tm.org.nz/

Yoga
This site discusses the importance of yoga and lists the eight stages of getting started in the yoga program. It offers a clear and concise presentation.
http://www.yurope.com/people/sen/prezentacije/yoga/eight.stages.html

Tantra
This site provides a definition of tantra as well as the basic steps to begin the program. It also includes the teachings of tantra specialists and a few of the supposed benefits.
http://www.abhidhyan.org/Teachings/Tantra_Yoga_Tradition.htm

V. Bibliography

Books by Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Chopra, Deepak. 1993.: Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1994.: Journey Into Healing. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1994.: The Seven Spiritual laws of Success. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1989.: Quantum Healing. (New York: Bantam.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1997.: The Path to Love. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1990.: Perfect Health Library. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1996.: The Return of Merlin. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1996.: The Way of the Wizard. (New York: Harmony Books.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1995.: Creating Health. (New York: Random House.)
Chopra, Deepak. 1991.: Unconditional Life. (New York: Bantam.)

Media Attention

Brown, Chip. 1995.: "Deepak Chopra Has (Sniff) a Cold." Esquire (Oct) 118.
Friedman, Max. July 1994.: "A Tide That Cannot Be Stopped: Deepak Choppra's Mind-Body Medicineis a Hit With the Masses." Vegetarian Times (July) 112.
Van Biema, David. 1996.: "Of the Soul: Combining Medical Advice with Indian Metaphysics, Deepak Chopra has Thrived, Telling Americans of a Place Where Spirit and Body Interact." Time (June 24) 64.
Reibstein, Larry. 1997.: "Deepak's Instant Karma." Newsweek (Oct 29) 52.
Book Review. 1996.: "The Path To Love: Renewing the Power of Spirit in Your Life." Publishers Weekly (Nov 25) 64.
MacDonald, Sam. 11 September 1996.: "Deep Thoughts: Quieting the Mind Often the Best Medicine." The Cincinatti Enquirer (Sept 11) p.E03.
Gabbett-Lee, Janie. 1996.: "Books With Spiritual Themes Become U.S. Bestsellers." Reuters (May 27).
Cronin, Mary Elizabeth. 1997.: "A Spiritual Empire: Deepak Chopra's Metaphysical Message is Resonating Globally." The Seattle Times (Feb 12) p.E1.
Davis, William A. 1997.: "Soul Entrepreneur Deepak Chopra's Inner Journey: Inner Journey Brings Him Fame, and No Small Degree of Flak." Boston Globe (Jan 16) p.E1.
Sharma, H., Triguna, B.D. and Chopra, D. 1991.: "Letter From New Delhi: Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Modern Insights Into Ancient Medicine." Journal of the American Medical Association vol 265.
Smith, Lee. 1996.: "Deepak Chopra's La Jolla Retreat: Getting In Touch With Your Inner Dosha." Fortune (Dec 9) 54.
Dennis, Gregory. 1994.: "What's Deepak Chopra's Secret." New Age Journal . (Jan/Feb)

Chopra's Critics

National Council Against Health Fraud. 1994.: "Deepak Chopra gets an Unflattering View." NCAHF Newsletter (May/June) 2.
Skolnick, A.A. 1991.: "Medical News and Perspectives." JAMA vol 266.
Labash, Matt. 1996.: "Leader of the Deepak." Weekly Standard . (July 1).
Kurtz, Howard. 1997.: "Weekly Standard Prints Apology to Health Guru." The Washington Post (June 23) p.A12.
Moran, Greg. 23 February 1997.: "Self-Help Celebrity Files Suit Over Tales: Chopra Alleges Libel and Extortion Effort." San Diego Union Tribune (Feb 23) p.B-1.
Schmidt, Rob. 1997.: "How Sorry Is The Standard. (Libel Suit Brought by Deepak Chopra against The Weekly Standard." Columbia Journalism Review (Sept/Oct) 16.

VI. References Cited in the Text

1. http://www.oneimage.com/~sandi/spirit/s-chopra.
2. http://www.chopra.com/aboutmindbody.html
3. http://www.chopra.com/aboutmindbody.html
4. http://www.ayur.com/about.html
5. http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/ayurveda.html
6. http://www.ayur.com/about.html
7. Chip Brown, "Deepak Chopra has (Sniff) a Cold." Esquire . Oct 1995. v124, n4. 118.
8. http://www.tm.org.nz/
9. http://www.oneimage.com/~sandi/spirit/s-chopra.html#bio
10. http://www.mysticfire.com/HCChopra.html
11. http://www.healthy.net/library/interviews/redwood/chopra.htm
12. http://www.positivehealth.com/bakissue/chopra.htm
13. http://www.positivehealth.com/bakissue/chopra.htm
14. Deepak Chopra, 1993. Ageless Body, Timeless Mind . (New York: Harmony Books.)
15. Deepak Chopra, 1994. Journey Into Healing . (New York: Harmony Books.)
16. Deepak Chopra, 1994. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. (New York: Harmony Books.)
17. A.A. Skolnick, 1991 Journal of the American Medical Association . v.266, 1741-2.
18. http://www.trancenet.org/chopra/news/ncahf.shtml
19. Howard Kurtz, "Weekly Standard Prints Apology to Health Guru." The Washington Post . 23 June 199. pA12.
20. Rob Shmidt, "How Sorry is The Standard." Columbia Journalism Review . Sep-Oct 1997. v36, n3. 16.
21. http://www.watchman.org/altmed2.htm
22. http://www.equip.org/archives/arti...al/crj0164a.txt&tile;=crj0164a.txt

Created by Priya Gudi
For Soc 257: New Religious Movements
Spring Term, 1998
Last modified: 04/17/01