Deepak Chopra, whose extraordinary Enlightenment series includes the phenomenal New York Times bestsellers Buddha and Jesus, delivers the most powerful installment God. In this beautiful and thought-provoking teaching novel—a Story of Revelation—one of the Western World’s acknowledged master teachers of Eastern philosophy and preeminent influencers in the realm of spirituality and religion reveals the evolving nature of God. Here is truth and enlightenment for the next generation of spiritual seekers; a book Deepak Chopra’s millions of fans worldwide have been waiting for.
Deepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
I really wasn't sure whether to put this in my fiction or non-fiction shelves. Probably belongs in fiction, but....
Disclaimer: I have mixed feelings about Chopra. He often has interesting ideas that can spur the kind of late-night debates that require a good bottle of wine or two, but the whole superstar guru with the exclusive retreat and high dollar lifestyle...well, color me skeptical as to his sincerity. The guy's out to make a buck. But then, who isn't?
I picked this book up at the library, and didn't really notice the author name (in spite of the very large font). It looked intriguing. Each chapter is a fictionalized account of a figure who contributed in some way to the evolution of thinking about God (by whatever name.) The premise is that these figures were placed in some unpopular, terrifying, and even deadly positions that they never asked to be in. They were ostracized, ridiculed, persecuted, and yet they persisted in their search for connection with the Divine and to speak against the established religious sentiment of their day. The figures include Job, Socrates, St. Paul, Shakara, Rumi, Julian of Norwich, Giordano Bruno, Anne Hutchinson, Baal Shem Tov, and Rabindranath Tagore. We meet each one about the time they experience their greatest trials or the event that changed their inner lives. Of course most of this is speculation and creative license on Chopra's part, but it sets the tone for the discussion about how the concept of God has evolved throughout history because of the challenges individuals make to the established religion of their times and places. Speaking truth to power -- or maybe just speaking up to power -- usually lands the speaker in a lot of hot water.
It's a worthwhile read, and likely one of Chopra's least self-promoting efforts.
A book that makes you stop and think, read some more, than stop and think some more.
Deepak uses 10 historical figures to trace how the thinking of God has changed through the years. Naturally these stories are used to support his theory of consciousness.
Chopra is one of the few writers who seems to truly understand both Eastern and Western philosophies and teachings, as well as the key fundamentals and foundations of the world's major religions. And he pulls these all together in an excellent summary of man's never-ending quest to try and understand God and the universe.
It's a book I'll soon read again, only this time more slowly and deliberately.
But, being regarded as modern master of eastern philosophy and the link between science and religion, Deepak Chopra can't be ignored. Hence, I picked up this book - a first for me from the author.
The book tries to interpret God with the help of 10 much revered historical figures and their iconoclastic stand that withstood time. The tales were wonderfully woven to keep the reader glued. The concluding summaries or 'revealing the vision' as the author calls it of each of these figures and their ideas are also enriching.
Though acquainted, I was unaware of most of the tales of these figures. "Job ('I'm the lord thy God') Socrates ('Know thyself') St. Paul ('I'm the light of the world') Shankara('Life is a dream') Rumi ('Come with me, my beloved') Julian of Norwich ('all shall be well') Giordano Bruno ('Everything is Light') Anne Hutchinson ('Spirit is perfect in every believer') Baal Shem Tov ('To Live is to Serve God') Rabindranath Tagore ('I'm the endless mystery')"
I loved the tales and conversations of Socrates, Shankara, Rumi, Bruno and Tagore. I'd like to read more about them.
This is undoubtedly a gem of a book for anyone who is in the path of discovering God, to get a glimpse of historical evolution of the concept of God.
But yes, I, still, can't understand all of Deepak Chopra's tweets.
I bought the book on impulse and then took a long time to read it, because I thought it would be an arrogant explanation on God... Then I finally started reading and had an initial bad feeling that the author was fantasizing too much on the historical figures... But as I continued I was really drawn into the contemplations and interpretations he made. It is a really soft and delicate book to read, makes you think more deeply about God and spirituality. Besides, Deepak Chopra has a talent to share his visions and teachings without sounding patronizing, but keeping a simple style which yet is very touching. Highly recommendable.
While I love reading his work, these stories where you put yourself in the place of people from the Bible are very hard for me to read. Some of it is because some of the stories I have heard so many times, I don't want to hear again, especially depressing ones like Job. Other times I cannot fathom putting myself into the place of a disciple or saint, it seems almost like blasphemy to imagine.
I hope I remember to read this book again when I am older and wiser. I know i could not digest it all, even though I read it slowly. If I understood correctly, God is loving consciousness and we can connect through meditation. If I didn't understand correctly, this was an interesting introduction to sages and mystics throughout history.
Get to the epilogue. The 10 people and the stories beforehand connect humanity and their reason for God. It's the history. Deepak's epilogue describes our connection to the divine and how we have all chosen to seek it differently and why that is. Why we need to find God or why there is always that question. Finally something that makes sense to me.
📖💙DIOS, UNA HISTORIA DE REVELACIONES. 🙌Nueva semana, nuevo libro. ✅Deepak Chopra es uno de mis escritores favoritos, logra en ti una conexión de las cuales pocas veces he logrado con otras obras y esta no es la excepción. ✅Te lleva de historia en historia que estas tienen que ver con religión y filosofía de las cuales el aprendizaje de cada una de ellas te llenan luz y sabiduría el alma. ✅Debo decir que a pesar de que es un libro pequeño; la lectura suele ser de mucho análisis y concentración, hace que reflexiones a través de cada historia que el libro te va contando; por ejemplo... El capítulo que más me gustó fue el de Sócrates que esta lleno trampas y cuestionamientos de lo cuales no solemos deternos a pensar con su debido tiempo. ✅Deepak Chopra te lleva de la mano para entender estas fantásticas historias ya que si en alguna de ellas no logras comprender su enseñanza, siempre habrá una revelación sobre el capítulo que hayas leído. ✅Este libro es el correcto si deseas purificar cuerpo y alma.
Sin más que decir, te invito a leerlo y a cuestionar te sobre la vida misma. 💙
DNF. Each chapter is a fictionalized account of a person who claimed to speak to god or be enlightened at some point in history, featuring Rumi, Paul, Anne Hutchinson. The second half of each chapter is Chopra's analysis of his account of what happened. Aside from it being entirely asinine to analyze historical fiction for any reason other than entertainment, this book did not make great leaps on the nature of god, for me personally. The concept of god having may faces and each religion working with a different face is nothing new, and each chapter brings less history to the table than I did in a sophomore-level history class. Therefore both aspects of this book underperform, and it quickly becomes too borning to suffer through.
Ho acquistato questo libro nella speranza di trovare una chiave di lettura verso una spiritualità più vera e libera. Un libro da leggere capitolo per capitolo, metabolizzandoli. Ne leggi uno, ti fermi e pensi... ne leggi un altro, ti fermi e pensi. Un libro sicuramente non facile e leggero, ma profondo. 10 figure storiche, probabilmente raccontante in modo romanzato (ma non ho certezza di ciò), usate per tracciare come nel corso del tempo sia evoluto il pensiero su Dio. Chopra ha la capacità di districarsi tra filosofia, pensiero orientale e occidentale, traendone ciò che di “buono”e utile possa esserci per il nostro percorso sulla Terra. Alla fine siamo tutti alla ricerca di questa divinità di cui sentiamo parlare fin da piccini...
This is truly amazing read. It brought different contemplation and interpretation one could have in their belief and faith. God himself is different in everybody's mind is what i can sum it up from the book. Deepak has this peculiar way of attracting people to join him in the tale of finding God especially via perspective of the historical figures featured in the book. I never heard some of the names featured here in the book but I'm glad i know now after i finished this book.
Stories of 10 'seekers' of the spiritual from Socrates to Tagore, about 1/2 of whom I had previously heard about.
Interesting stories, obviously many are fictional, but seem to follow what we know about the persons. Includes folks from Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam and other traditions.
You may not agree with all of them (or Chopra's musings on their lives) but it will give you something to ponder.
I loved the premise that religious insights are given to humanity when they are ready to understand. . Loved to learn about historical figures. Sat and contemplated many of the teachings and took screenshots of the ideas. But too often I felt like I was back in college Philosophy 101 with the teacher telling me “ the truth” as is written in the book. Or maybe some concepts were too hard for me to understand. 3.5 stars
Mr. Chopra shows some examples of the many different angles from which God works. He uses different enlightened people, from different religions and different parts of the world to give you a more broad perspective of God. This was a very good read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who feels spiritually closed minded, and is ready to be opened to a whole new light!
I am giving this 5 stars because it is very well written, even scholarly. The scholarly part is what got me--most of the writing in this book went way over my head. Maybe I need to reread all or parts of it, especially Socrates. Or, maybe I am just too simple-minded to understand it. (I barely passed my college philosophy class!) Anyway, well done, Deepak Chopra.
It's very hard to write a fictionalized account of parables and Bible stories that most people have grown up hearing one way. I appreciated Mr. Chopra's care in preserving the beauty of the original texts, in breathing his own characters to life, and in giving us new insight into these beautiful stories.
Es fascinante este libro. Creo que se aprovecha mucho más teniendo nociones previas sobre espiritualidad y vidas pasadas. Es un análisis muy interesante a cómo la figura de Dios ha sido descifrada y modificada a lo largo del tiempo, encontrando puntos comunes a todas ellas, en un entendimiento no religioso de lo que es Dios.
It was really a lovely journey to discover the path to God, to re-establish the connection to God that was lost. The book includes 10 stories of visionaries who strived to find God.
Loved this. Multiple stories of searching for divinity and God that spans many time periods and many different types of religion/spirituality. Each story was followed by a break-down of what the story meant and why it was important.
Los primeros capítulos me fascinaron!!! siempre he sido muy fan de las historias sobre fe y milagro; ahora, leer sobre ellas en diez culturas distintas sonaba como algo súper atractivo para mí pero después del tercero se volvió repetitivo y muy tedioso :( aún así Chopra lo hace worth it
Maybe I didn’t expect much, or expected something light and commercial. But this book far exceeded my expectations of depth and thoughtful discussion. I recommend this book for all seekers of God and spirituality.
I consider Deepak my spiritual guru. But this book did not vibe with me. It’s more an anthology of saints and mystics than a novel of revelation. Although it features Rumi and Tagore, their stories failed to capture my imagination. It lacked magic and divinity.
Interesting stories from prophets, sages and saints throughout the ages who have enlightened the way. Read by the author Deepak Chopra giving us a more realistic understanding of the stories.
Fascinating & intriguing. A look at how our view of God has evolved through the interpretation & experiences of different religious leaders, both Christian and non-Christian.