What do you think?
Rate this book
Life After Death: The Burden of Proof
Dr Deepak Chopra, the world-famous pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, addresses one of the fundamental questions of existence: what happens when we die? Drawing upon personal experience, the wisdom of ancient Vedic philosophy and state-of-the-art particle physics, Chopra helps us to overcome our fears about dying and to consider the fantastic possibilities that may await us in the afterlife.
This is the book that Dr Chopra has been preparing to write his entire life. In it, he considers the theory that death is an illusion of the senses and that the soul survives in an ongoing spiral of refinement, ending in enlightenment. Thought-provoking exercises offer a first-hand experience of these and other ideas, helping you to make sense of your own spirituality whatever path you choose to follow, and offering you your very own map of eternity.
This is the book that Dr Chopra has been preparing to write his entire life. In it, he considers the theory that death is an illusion of the senses and that the soul survives in an ongoing spiral of refinement, ending in enlightenment. Thought-provoking exercises offer a first-hand experience of these and other ideas, helping you to make sense of your own spirituality whatever path you choose to follow, and offering you your very own map of eternity.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 22, 2013
576 people are currently reading
3470 people want to read
About the author
Deepak Chopra
691 books19.1k followersDeepak 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."
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."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
February 15, 2024
Like many religious people, Chopra presumes to inform you what happens after death. But he does it in a whimsical way, unlike the solemn theological certitude I’ve often heard from Western preachers. He tells the Hindu folktales he heard as a child. He believes that near-death experiences are real, but shaped by personal expectation: “A child can come back from heaven and report that it was full of baby animals at play, a cardiac patient can report sitting on God’s lap, and being told by the Almighty that he must return to earth ….”
Although Chopra weaves in accounts from many cultures, his mainframe world view is Vedantic cosmology. And in this universe, all things are naturally evolving toward higher consciousness through many manifestations: “Depending on your level of awareness, you project your own heavens, hells and purgatories, to work through on the physical plane as well as astral planes.”
In this reality, different levels of awareness seem to be more than mental states—they are altered states of matter and energy. As beings grow more aware, their “frequency” (or “vibration”) gets higher, but we can only perceive beings within our own frequency range. At higher levels, “There are an almost infinite number of astral planes, divided into a higher and lower astral worlds, and even the lowest ones vibrate at a higher frequency than the material world.” Also, “During the astral journey souls meet other souls vibrating at a similar level of evolution. You may meet some souls that you encountered in the physical world if they are on your frequency.” It’s a metaphysics were spirituality, radio frequency, and maybe temperature down to absolute zero, all seem to be functions of vibration rate.
Chopra explains all this with reference to groundbreaking research in physics, medicine, and psychology. He aims to meet “the burden of proof” regarding eternal life, but I’m unclear what his impressive evidence proves. Anyway, I like it: “You can take your mind beyond walls. There is freedom outside, and having achieved it, you will never have to go the heaven or hell again.” Furthermore, “Hell is the suffering you think you deserve.”
Although Chopra weaves in accounts from many cultures, his mainframe world view is Vedantic cosmology. And in this universe, all things are naturally evolving toward higher consciousness through many manifestations: “Depending on your level of awareness, you project your own heavens, hells and purgatories, to work through on the physical plane as well as astral planes.”
In this reality, different levels of awareness seem to be more than mental states—they are altered states of matter and energy. As beings grow more aware, their “frequency” (or “vibration”) gets higher, but we can only perceive beings within our own frequency range. At higher levels, “There are an almost infinite number of astral planes, divided into a higher and lower astral worlds, and even the lowest ones vibrate at a higher frequency than the material world.” Also, “During the astral journey souls meet other souls vibrating at a similar level of evolution. You may meet some souls that you encountered in the physical world if they are on your frequency.” It’s a metaphysics were spirituality, radio frequency, and maybe temperature down to absolute zero, all seem to be functions of vibration rate.
Chopra explains all this with reference to groundbreaking research in physics, medicine, and psychology. He aims to meet “the burden of proof” regarding eternal life, but I’m unclear what his impressive evidence proves. Anyway, I like it: “You can take your mind beyond walls. There is freedom outside, and having achieved it, you will never have to go the heaven or hell again.” Furthermore, “Hell is the suffering you think you deserve.”
October 13, 2008
I love this guy! He is so intriguing. I have seen him on TV and always thought what he said made sense. So I bought this book... my first Deepak Chopra book. I feel that he has many important things to say, but uses long confusing sentences when he could have easily gotten away with a simpler one. I found myself rereading sentence after sentence. Its not that the vocabulary was difficult, its just that some of the wording can be a bit convoluted. Here is an example.. picked out of the book...
"If there is only one reality, as the rishis declare, then life is not a struggle between good and evil, but a tangled web where all actions, good and bad, move us closer to reality or deeper into illusion."
I mean really, that was a random example, but I had to read that twice... slowly, to get what he was saying.
"the erosion of faith has not left Paradise untouched."
So does that mean it left Paradise touched? I am not sure. The whole book is like that. But, when you finally 'get' what he is saying, it is truly profound. It just takes awhile. Or maybe its just me.
"If there is only one reality, as the rishis declare, then life is not a struggle between good and evil, but a tangled web where all actions, good and bad, move us closer to reality or deeper into illusion."
I mean really, that was a random example, but I had to read that twice... slowly, to get what he was saying.
"the erosion of faith has not left Paradise untouched."
So does that mean it left Paradise touched? I am not sure. The whole book is like that. But, when you finally 'get' what he is saying, it is truly profound. It just takes awhile. Or maybe its just me.
February 27, 2010
Maybe it's the prospect of "til death do you part" or maybe it's my looming 40 birthday, but I've lately been a little preoccupied with the afterlife, or I guess with my dark fears in the middle of the night that there IS no afterlife. When I bring it up, people usually confess visions of fluffy cloud heaven or insist that they're content to turn into dirt. "Hey, you'll be dead," they say, "You won't know!" Not terribly consoling.
So, someone recommended this book to me -- okay, okay, it was my therapist. She had not actually read it (trustworthy recommendation?) but thought it might help me explore these fears instead of just ignoring them. At first I was slightly bored, as I am when I read about things that seem too large to comprehend. I WANT to know, just don't have the capacity. But the book interweaves an long Indian parable with commentary and explorations of afterlife stories, religious beliefs, and physics, and it does gather steam after a while. The story of Savitri trying to fend of Yama, the Lord of Death, is a beautiful one. Her guide asks her if she remembers a time before her birth, which of course she can't. He reassures her that perhaps she can't remember not being alive because she has always been.
Chopra's style is straightforward, and although he sounds fairly convinced that he knows what's what with our souls, he does throw in a suitable amount of shoulder-shrugging at the mysteries of the universe. I finished the book feeling slightly consoled but really wishing I had taken physics my senior year of high school.
Apparently Deepak Chopra has written like 50 books, so I guess you're set if you love this one. Me, I'm ready for some fiction.
So, someone recommended this book to me -- okay, okay, it was my therapist. She had not actually read it (trustworthy recommendation?) but thought it might help me explore these fears instead of just ignoring them. At first I was slightly bored, as I am when I read about things that seem too large to comprehend. I WANT to know, just don't have the capacity. But the book interweaves an long Indian parable with commentary and explorations of afterlife stories, religious beliefs, and physics, and it does gather steam after a while. The story of Savitri trying to fend of Yama, the Lord of Death, is a beautiful one. Her guide asks her if she remembers a time before her birth, which of course she can't. He reassures her that perhaps she can't remember not being alive because she has always been.
Chopra's style is straightforward, and although he sounds fairly convinced that he knows what's what with our souls, he does throw in a suitable amount of shoulder-shrugging at the mysteries of the universe. I finished the book feeling slightly consoled but really wishing I had taken physics my senior year of high school.
Apparently Deepak Chopra has written like 50 books, so I guess you're set if you love this one. Me, I'm ready for some fiction.
January 3, 2009
A thought provoking, fascinating book. Deepak Chopra pulls insights from all the world's spiritual traditions and life-after-death experiences. I like his general assertion that the world of spirit isn't somewhere else, but right here, in the same space we inhabit; it just vibrates at a higher frequency that we usually can’t see, much like radio waves coursing through the air that we don’t detect. I also like his general conclusion; that after death what the souls sees and experiences is largely what it expects to see and experience. Beyond that, of course, it’s impossible to know.
The last section of the book is a description of what we currently know through quantum physics. That he does this in a very easy to understand way, without any technical jargon, is masterful writing. As we discover and study smaller and smaller particles and try to understand how they behave, his conclusion is that the overall course of the universe seems to be guided.
The last section of the book is a description of what we currently know through quantum physics. That he does this in a very easy to understand way, without any technical jargon, is masterful writing. As we discover and study smaller and smaller particles and try to understand how they behave, his conclusion is that the overall course of the universe seems to be guided.
September 8, 2025
Setembro de 2025
O livro traz algumas reflexões interessantes e pertinentes sobre espiritualidade e a vida após a morte. Porém, houve partes que considerei um tanto confusas, sobretudo nas explicações mais ligadas à Física, que me pareceram pouco claras para a minha pessoa que nunca foi muito entendida nesta área das ciências. Apesar disso, a leitura foi agradável, apenas não me me estimulou e entusiasmou o suficiente para dar uma classificação mais alta.
O livro traz algumas reflexões interessantes e pertinentes sobre espiritualidade e a vida após a morte. Porém, houve partes que considerei um tanto confusas, sobretudo nas explicações mais ligadas à Física, que me pareceram pouco claras para a minha pessoa que nunca foi muito entendida nesta área das ciências. Apesar disso, a leitura foi agradável, apenas não me me estimulou e entusiasmou o suficiente para dar uma classificação mais alta.
November 8, 2009
Uggh. This book was painful. I don't see why Deepak is such a big name. The book was just a mixing of stories that were trying to prove a different spirtual point in each chapter. The book follows a version of a famous tale about a man trying to cheat death. That was about the only part of the book that was enjoyable.
I think the more Deepak sees people respond to his books the more it makes him feel he should just come up with new stuff so you get this piece of crap with stupid stories about someone claiming they can turn off lights in bed mixed in with stories of his view of chirstanity. This is just spiritual deli bullcrap that uses other sources as inspiration to tell an "orginal" idea. What comes out is a twisting of those orgnial sources, and a guy that seems very lost spiritually.
I think the more Deepak sees people respond to his books the more it makes him feel he should just come up with new stuff so you get this piece of crap with stupid stories about someone claiming they can turn off lights in bed mixed in with stories of his view of chirstanity. This is just spiritual deli bullcrap that uses other sources as inspiration to tell an "orginal" idea. What comes out is a twisting of those orgnial sources, and a guy that seems very lost spiritually.
September 2, 2024
This was a second listen. I enjoyed it.
The audio book is not narrated by Deepak, and that worked well in this case for me. Although I love Deepak's voice which is soothing and gentle, the narrator here was very skilled and gave subtle inflections at the right moments to make the listen enjoyable.
I enjoyed the story (Hindu?) of Yama and how it was woven into the complex ideas, philosophy, and quantum physics, detailed in this book. It really gave a nice consistent thread, piecing together the understanding of mind, consciousness, and the transformations we all go through during the cycles of life and death. The story helped give a visual concept, an anchor, for the mind to grasp, (for lack of a better description).
It was very easy for me to understand at first, but the last few chapters not so much. It was when they got into hard core quantum physics that I started to lose my understanding. It was hard core for me, but others may not feel that way. I already believe and didn't need the added science as proof, so I found my simple and un-math like mind drifting.
Overall it was very good. I will need to listen to it again because I would like to understand the science part. I would recommend.
The audio book is not narrated by Deepak, and that worked well in this case for me. Although I love Deepak's voice which is soothing and gentle, the narrator here was very skilled and gave subtle inflections at the right moments to make the listen enjoyable.
I enjoyed the story (Hindu?) of Yama and how it was woven into the complex ideas, philosophy, and quantum physics, detailed in this book. It really gave a nice consistent thread, piecing together the understanding of mind, consciousness, and the transformations we all go through during the cycles of life and death. The story helped give a visual concept, an anchor, for the mind to grasp, (for lack of a better description).
It was very easy for me to understand at first, but the last few chapters not so much. It was when they got into hard core quantum physics that I started to lose my understanding. It was hard core for me, but others may not feel that way. I already believe and didn't need the added science as proof, so I found my simple and un-math like mind drifting.
Overall it was very good. I will need to listen to it again because I would like to understand the science part. I would recommend.
September 10, 2012
Deepal Chopra is basically "Pop Eastern Mysticism". This isn't some ancient text from Buddhists who lived thousands of years ago, but as a newbie to world religions, it helped me grasp the concepts of Eastern philosophies like Vedanta. I don't know much about reincarnation, universal consciousness, or astral planes, so this book helped give a brief overview of the many thoughts on the subjects.
I especially like the second half of the book (much shorter than the first) that discussed many different experiments, discoveries, and other "proofs" that helped justify some of these "crazy" philosophies on life - this one, the last one, and the next life. I especially thought the chapter on the mind being separate from the brain as a highlight of this book.
I used to think that reincarnation was one of the dumbest ideas anyone has come up with. After a little reading and contemplation, however, it's not as strange as I used to think. I mean my evangelical Christian beliefs proclaim a resurrection of the body. That's on par with outlandish claims of reincarnation.
One bit I disagree with (which is odd with New Age spirituality, since it's sold as one of the most easy to accept religions) is that our minds shape our reality, expectations, and even our future afterlife. That fits nicely with afterlives, so that a Christian experiences heaven, a Muslim experiences Muslim heaven (virgins included), and a Catholic experiences purgatory. I really don't like the idea of my mind having that much power, though. I mean, what if a stray thought when I'm old and senile creates a heaven for me filled with stay-puff marshmallow men (Ghostbusters props). Or in this life what if I have a stray thought that imagines me a widower. I don't want to mentally will my wife to die or something!
One last thing: I did enjoy this book, but probably because it was my first foray into Easter religions. Big turn-offs about the book:
1. the first fourteen pages are just pages of people praising the book and Deepak Chopra.
2. He thanks his workers at the "Chopra Center"
3. A few quotes he gives are actually from himself.
4. His writing style isn't the best. Paragraphs and chapters aren't real clear cut or well thought-out.
It wasn't as bad as reading an Oprah book, but it kinda felt that way. Oh, and a lot of his examples were people from his seminars...which, honestly, makes me feel like they were New Age freaks (and therefore not real reputable). That's just my two cents.
I especially like the second half of the book (much shorter than the first) that discussed many different experiments, discoveries, and other "proofs" that helped justify some of these "crazy" philosophies on life - this one, the last one, and the next life. I especially thought the chapter on the mind being separate from the brain as a highlight of this book.
I used to think that reincarnation was one of the dumbest ideas anyone has come up with. After a little reading and contemplation, however, it's not as strange as I used to think. I mean my evangelical Christian beliefs proclaim a resurrection of the body. That's on par with outlandish claims of reincarnation.
One bit I disagree with (which is odd with New Age spirituality, since it's sold as one of the most easy to accept religions) is that our minds shape our reality, expectations, and even our future afterlife. That fits nicely with afterlives, so that a Christian experiences heaven, a Muslim experiences Muslim heaven (virgins included), and a Catholic experiences purgatory. I really don't like the idea of my mind having that much power, though. I mean, what if a stray thought when I'm old and senile creates a heaven for me filled with stay-puff marshmallow men (Ghostbusters props). Or in this life what if I have a stray thought that imagines me a widower. I don't want to mentally will my wife to die or something!
One last thing: I did enjoy this book, but probably because it was my first foray into Easter religions. Big turn-offs about the book:
1. the first fourteen pages are just pages of people praising the book and Deepak Chopra.
2. He thanks his workers at the "Chopra Center"
3. A few quotes he gives are actually from himself.
4. His writing style isn't the best. Paragraphs and chapters aren't real clear cut or well thought-out.
It wasn't as bad as reading an Oprah book, but it kinda felt that way. Oh, and a lot of his examples were people from his seminars...which, honestly, makes me feel like they were New Age freaks (and therefore not real reputable). That's just my two cents.
February 15, 2013
I was intrigued by what this book could offer. I lost my father to cancer a couple of years ago and have struggled even more with the idea of heaven. I am always curious as to how other people view life after death.
The first half of the book was interesting. It actually gave words to my feelings & thoughts. With that being said it was extremely repetitive. He could have written that portion in less than half the text he did.
Like other reviews I have seen I also believe it was condescending to Western theology & beliefs. I would not classify myself as a true Christian nor do I think some of those beliefs make sense but I do respect people's faith. I did not feel a sense of respect in this book.
The second half of the book read like a medical students introduction to neurology. It was mind numbing. I tried to tough it out but had to just give it up when I was 80% complete. I did not feel the last 20% was worth my time.
I love Deepak Chopra's work but I would not recommend this book. If you feel like you need it then just stop when you get to the second half.
The first half of the book was interesting. It actually gave words to my feelings & thoughts. With that being said it was extremely repetitive. He could have written that portion in less than half the text he did.
Like other reviews I have seen I also believe it was condescending to Western theology & beliefs. I would not classify myself as a true Christian nor do I think some of those beliefs make sense but I do respect people's faith. I did not feel a sense of respect in this book.
The second half of the book read like a medical students introduction to neurology. It was mind numbing. I tried to tough it out but had to just give it up when I was 80% complete. I did not feel the last 20% was worth my time.
I love Deepak Chopra's work but I would not recommend this book. If you feel like you need it then just stop when you get to the second half.
May 5, 2014
I enjoyed the first part of this more than the second. The first part was set up as a story telling session with bits of metaphysical teachings in-between the sections to explain the story. The second half was quantum mechanics and theory. Very deep. It was like listening to or reading an article by Amit Goswami- I would understand a part, then lose the thread of his thought, and then spend the next five minutes backtracking to where I lost him. Despite some difficulties, I learned a lot from this and it has raised a bunch of interesting possibilities to consider about the nature of death, birth, and what goes on in the time between.
I'm still not sure what happens after death. I always thought that I'd just wait and see when I got there. Chopra's vision was fascinating and it felt like, just for a moment, I was able to peek through that doorway that we call death and catch a glimpse of what it is. I embraced his teaching that we die small deaths, everyday, every breath. Perhaps it is not such a stranger as I believed it to be.
I'm still not sure what happens after death. I always thought that I'd just wait and see when I got there. Chopra's vision was fascinating and it felt like, just for a moment, I was able to peek through that doorway that we call death and catch a glimpse of what it is. I embraced his teaching that we die small deaths, everyday, every breath. Perhaps it is not such a stranger as I believed it to be.
October 23, 2014
This book didnt meet my expectations. It seems like the book is trying sell eastern vision of death to the people of Christian faith or the western world.
Deepak Chopra simply accepts everything that has been put offered by vedas or even Hindu mythology. Throughout the book keeps comparing the it with Christan version. Mention of Hindu mythology is in form of story of Savitry (Lady who wants to save life of her husband from God of death), which runs though out the book.
Though out the book there are anecdotes of other people who claim to have supernatural experience such as 'out of body experience', resurrection, dreams etc.
On the whole the book did not made any sense for me because it has nothing definitive or assertive to offer. I am leaving the book half way.
Deepak Chopra simply accepts everything that has been put offered by vedas or even Hindu mythology. Throughout the book keeps comparing the it with Christan version. Mention of Hindu mythology is in form of story of Savitry (Lady who wants to save life of her husband from God of death), which runs though out the book.
Though out the book there are anecdotes of other people who claim to have supernatural experience such as 'out of body experience', resurrection, dreams etc.
On the whole the book did not made any sense for me because it has nothing definitive or assertive to offer. I am leaving the book half way.
June 17, 2009
I am slowly but surely making my way through this amazing book. As a "non-beliver" I am finding myself believing in the extraordinary view of the universe that Chopra posits. Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, in the unity of all things, you will find his perspective useful as a learning experience, as a way to understand your purpose in life and in death.
Quite possibly the most remarkable thing I have ever read.
Quite possibly the most remarkable thing I have ever read.
January 18, 2010
There are lot of places which I felt getting repeated and not focussed to the core. The core which I felt while reading this book and appreciated the fact that death is no more and not to afraid on that... as the soul will be only existent and body / matter which holds soul get decayed. Based on Karma, it enters into another body. Thats the crux.. but the depiction of story line and other facts discussed is not much focussed and wavering.
August 2, 2008
I only choose winners to read, or I like everything I read, not sure. If you want to keep an open mind, and a chance to let your mind work it's magic I think you'll enjoy this book. For me it was a liberating book, freeing me from the constraints of popular belief in today's society. This is how I think!
August 18, 2009
I like listening to Deepak Chopra so I had high hopes in reading this book. I felt the book was somewhat superficial... like "Chopra Light". Perhaps this won't be so for others but it did not speak to me.
September 24, 2008
Crappy.
March 8, 2013
Always love to hear his thoughts, very deep interesting book but I am not convinced.
March 10, 2021
I loved this book as it has allowed me to open up to a path I had closed a door on. This inspiration to think differently and be open to a bigger world is what I’m walking away with.
December 19, 2021
Me gusto mucho el libro por partes, sin embargo, creo que es un libro el cual no se le debe juzgar en primera instancia por lo que intenta explicar sino por el sentido de entender que otras creencias hay acerca de que es lo qué pasa después de la muerte. Indistintamente de las creencias del lector, es un libro que consuela y da esperanza de que nos espera algo mucho más transcendental de lo qué tenemos hoy en la Tierra
Read
August 13, 2019I admit I skipped some. It was too far out for me and repetitive in places. But I learned the basic premise of reincarnation, karma, and similar topics.
August 18, 2020
Thought-provoking and engaging, though definitely very complex.
November 3, 2015
Life after Death according to Deepak Chopra didn't really tell me anything I didn't know already, which either means his thesis empty or it's preaching to the converted. Probably the latter.
Here's the essence though - you don't die so don't worry about it.
The rest is just science (quantum physics etc.) and conjecture based on the science and Mr Chopra's thoughts and experiences.
I find my mind flip-flopping between world views like those expressed in this book (mind separate from brain, which survives 'death') and those expressed in books by authors like Steven Pinker and Daniel C. Dennett (mind arises from brain function(s) and does not survive 'death') and I guess I lean towards the former for a few reasons:
(1) It feels more comforting (to think death is not the end)
(2) It feel more like my reality
(3) There's a lot more to science than what we know at present
(4) Chopra doesn't use as many obscure words as Pinker and Dennett.
I know - it's not a very robust basis on which to proceed, but that's all I've got right now.
And, do you know - for all the flip-flopping I do between one idea and the other - it doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference to my general way of approaching life and my levels of happiness as a result and so I guess it's not really important to me which of these ideas is true.
I guess I'll find out, one way or the other, some day.
Actually - I just remembered - one of the ideas in this book is that you create your own 'afterlife' based on what you believe and act on in 'this life' - so maybe it's actually really, really important to be careful what I believe right now.
Or maybe I just (try to be) be a nice guy and the rest will work its way out.
ok - I'll do that then.
Here's the essence though - you don't die so don't worry about it.
The rest is just science (quantum physics etc.) and conjecture based on the science and Mr Chopra's thoughts and experiences.
I find my mind flip-flopping between world views like those expressed in this book (mind separate from brain, which survives 'death') and those expressed in books by authors like Steven Pinker and Daniel C. Dennett (mind arises from brain function(s) and does not survive 'death') and I guess I lean towards the former for a few reasons:
(1) It feels more comforting (to think death is not the end)
(2) It feel more like my reality
(3) There's a lot more to science than what we know at present
(4) Chopra doesn't use as many obscure words as Pinker and Dennett.
I know - it's not a very robust basis on which to proceed, but that's all I've got right now.
And, do you know - for all the flip-flopping I do between one idea and the other - it doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference to my general way of approaching life and my levels of happiness as a result and so I guess it's not really important to me which of these ideas is true.
I guess I'll find out, one way or the other, some day.
Actually - I just remembered - one of the ideas in this book is that you create your own 'afterlife' based on what you believe and act on in 'this life' - so maybe it's actually really, really important to be careful what I believe right now.
Or maybe I just (try to be) be a nice guy and the rest will work its way out.
ok - I'll do that then.
October 22, 2014
Very well storyline. Death as a person waiting for to go together to wherever is exciting topic for me. I see death as an opportunity to transform into a different existence, one without physical limitations, without material existence, one without pressure, one with zillions of possibilities.
The night kissed the fading lady with a whisper, "I'm death, your mother, from me you will get a new birth".
Most people spend huge amounts of time and effort on one thing: avoiding the painful truth about themselves, You're doing exactly the opposite.
Life is nothing but a choice about building a SELF:
Expansion vs contraction
Expression vs repression
Self-knowledge vs denial
Comfortable with uncertainty vs crave security
Personal insight vs received opinion
Spiritually oriented vs materialistic
Self-accepting vs guilty, self-denying
Individualism vs conformity
Altruistic, selfless vs ego-driven
"There are two paths in life, the path of wisdom and the path of ignorance. The path of wisdom is to pursue the SELF. The path of ignorance is to pursue pleasure. Pleasure, being born of senses, is temporary, and whatever is temporary falls under the sway of death. Thus the ignorant fall inro my clutches. but the Self is the light of immortality. It shines forever. Few are wise enough to see this light, even though it is inside them and nowhere else. The self is but the light of your soul.
The night kissed the fading lady with a whisper, "I'm death, your mother, from me you will get a new birth".
Most people spend huge amounts of time and effort on one thing: avoiding the painful truth about themselves, You're doing exactly the opposite.
Life is nothing but a choice about building a SELF:
Expansion vs contraction
Expression vs repression
Self-knowledge vs denial
Comfortable with uncertainty vs crave security
Personal insight vs received opinion
Spiritually oriented vs materialistic
Self-accepting vs guilty, self-denying
Individualism vs conformity
Altruistic, selfless vs ego-driven
"There are two paths in life, the path of wisdom and the path of ignorance. The path of wisdom is to pursue the SELF. The path of ignorance is to pursue pleasure. Pleasure, being born of senses, is temporary, and whatever is temporary falls under the sway of death. Thus the ignorant fall inro my clutches. but the Self is the light of immortality. It shines forever. Few are wise enough to see this light, even though it is inside them and nowhere else. The self is but the light of your soul.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2020
I'll admit, I was profoundly disappointed by this book. After listening to some talks by Chopra and especially after reading his introduction to the book, I was excited for an invigorating investigation of death through the Vedanta lens; bolstered by Chopra's scientific background, but not inhibited by it. The way he talked about 'mystery' made me think I'd be treated to a wonderful no rules ride around the afterlife, a la Alan Watts but with the added bonus of Chopra getting to shelve his objectivity and indulge in the wild metaphysical speculation that makes this sort of content interesting in the first place. What I received, however, was a sprawling self-help manual on how to believe in 'the right things'; a ridiculous embrace of pseudoscience to reinforce his own spiritual doctrine, and a dialectic of death just as fragile as any other established religious doctrine. Science and spirituality cannot mix without disastrous results; Chopra wields his scientific prowess with all of the intention and restraint of an aggressive six-year-old given access to fireworks, ineffectively trying to communicate to the reader that 'Vedanta is real! Look- let me prove it to you!". The resulting book is a farce; one that I believe gravely mischaracterizes Vedanta. I'm sure it would make Watts roll over in his grave. It's a good thing that he can't, because he's fucking dead, but I'm not even sure Chopra and I would be in agreement here.
October 8, 2015
I thought this book would be much better then it was. Deepak was talking about what he believes happens to people after we die. He tried to incorporate Christian beliefs, Hindu beliefs, and Buddhism. If he had done them more individually, I think it would have been better. However, he combined all of them in the same chapters so it turned into a study assignment instead of a book that I was reading.
He had a very long parable that he broke up so that it was at the beginning of each chapter. Again, it was a good story that had WAY TOO much in it. I was very impressed that the character in the parable was able to keep up with all the lessons that she was supposed to be learning on this day long journey.
And the physics! He started going into Schroedinger's Cats and string theory and it was hard to follow. I basically forgot what the book was supposed to be about anymore.
I do not recommend this book at all.
He had a very long parable that he broke up so that it was at the beginning of each chapter. Again, it was a good story that had WAY TOO much in it. I was very impressed that the character in the parable was able to keep up with all the lessons that she was supposed to be learning on this day long journey.
And the physics! He started going into Schroedinger's Cats and string theory and it was hard to follow. I basically forgot what the book was supposed to be about anymore.
I do not recommend this book at all.
August 18, 2018
For the consummate spiritual adventurer...
I enjoyed the easy conversational flow along with the association to quantum physics and what I see as the heart of the gospel of Christ (the mystery revealed of Christ in us where our life is hidden in and one with God). Deepak explains the reality of life as Consciousness, which I correlate to the Mind of Christ which holds all things together. He speaks of a void or gap between the most minute physical substance where creation arises from, where consciousness persists. He speaks of a mental spiritual state where a person can be still and apprehend this consciousness which I associate with being still (no mind or emotional jabber) and knowing God. I appreciate the fearlessness of what he illustrates as the fearless goodness of our source in the creative mind and being of God who shares his consciousness with us. I recommend this book to those who have or want to walk in the world but not of the world in fearless love.
I enjoyed the easy conversational flow along with the association to quantum physics and what I see as the heart of the gospel of Christ (the mystery revealed of Christ in us where our life is hidden in and one with God). Deepak explains the reality of life as Consciousness, which I correlate to the Mind of Christ which holds all things together. He speaks of a void or gap between the most minute physical substance where creation arises from, where consciousness persists. He speaks of a mental spiritual state where a person can be still and apprehend this consciousness which I associate with being still (no mind or emotional jabber) and knowing God. I appreciate the fearlessness of what he illustrates as the fearless goodness of our source in the creative mind and being of God who shares his consciousness with us. I recommend this book to those who have or want to walk in the world but not of the world in fearless love.
January 10, 2019
In this book, Deepak is at his most inscrutable, mixing eastern religious philosophy, NDE anecdotes, and his own patented blend conciousness/quantum jargon. I gauge my enjoyment of a book like this on how much discussion it generates. But after reading each chapter, I found that I had very little to share with anybody because I had very little comprehension about what I had just read.
It is a difficult read, and there are definitely better books out there that focus on NDEs. This makes the 'notes' section of this book the most valuable part. There Deepak directs you to his sources where you can find more interesting reads than the one he offers here.
It is a difficult read, and there are definitely better books out there that focus on NDEs. This makes the 'notes' section of this book the most valuable part. There Deepak directs you to his sources where you can find more interesting reads than the one he offers here.
July 31, 2011
I like Chopra. Besides the fact that he always feels a bit like Dr. Oz or some other self-proclaimed self-help guru, I think the guy has it together. His style is engaging, his points are always valid, and I love what he has to say. I think the reason I can't ever give him five stars is because he's so...tailored for a large audience. I guess I just like the underdog,and Chopra isn't that. But his message is reaching a lot of people, so no complaining there. This book is as close to 5 stars as I'll give Deepak. Good book.
September 10, 2011
Persuasive yet unfulfilling to those of us raised in Western religious traditions. Dr. Chopra shows us similarities between the Vedantic view of the afterlife and modern science. So it makes sense that the energy of individual souls has existed forever, therefore can never be destroyed. However, the appeal of the Christian (and Islamic) versions of heaven is strong -- I WANT to be reunited with my deceased loved ones, all of our personalities intact and ready to spend eternity together. I suppose this is why letting go of attachments is the Number One task for us here.
March 7, 2023
The concept and idea is there and interesting and I gained some insight spiritually, however, overall this book was extremely painful to get through.
Incredibly dull writing and a lot of the same points being made over and over again with different (overly conveluded) writing.
I finished it because I can't start a book and not finish but it took forever because I genuinely did not enjoy this at all - would not recommend as the writing style and a lot of the information /randomness was such a miss.
Incredibly dull writing and a lot of the same points being made over and over again with different (overly conveluded) writing.
I finished it because I can't start a book and not finish but it took forever because I genuinely did not enjoy this at all - would not recommend as the writing style and a lot of the information /randomness was such a miss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews