68 April 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Deepak Chopra In this day and age, we are all trying to make sense of the world around us, but it’s the world within that matters the most, now more than ever. Leading a rat-race existence is becoming more and more unappealing as people try to find some semblance of balance in their lives and get in touch with their inner selves. Deepak Chopra’s upcoming seminar, The Future of Wellbeing, discusses this very notion in detail. Touching lightly on this broad topic, Deepak explains: “Wellbeing can be considered on many levels – physical, social, community, career, financial and, ultimately, spiritual wellbeing. It relates to everything that we call existence. Your wellbeing contributes to and is influenced by the society you live in.” Deepak will go over all these different aspects of wellbeing in his seminar and take people through exercises and meditation; showing some of the latest research and giving helpful suggestions on how to improve one’s wellbeing. So, what simple steps can the ordinary person take to get onto the path of self-empowerment? “Self awareness is the key – to ask meaningful questions like who am I? What do I want? What is my purpose? What am I grateful for?” says Deepak. “Once you start asking questions, life has an interesting way of moving you into the answers, but most people don’t take time to reflect, to be quiet or are too distracted.” We wanted to ask meaningful questions, so what would he say to the person who is struggling to find his or her life’s purpose? “Well, if you had all the money and drive in the world, what would you do? How would you express your unique skills and talents? How A MODERN DAY GURU would that make a difference in the world? Who would be affected? What way would it be fun? If it’s not fun, then it’s not your purpose.” Surely, meditation plays a big part in trying to find oneself. But how do we introduce it into our hectic day-to-day lives? “There are lots of misconceptions about meditation,” says Deepak. “Meditation is just a way of being, to be aware of your surroundings, body, mental space, emotions, relationships and ultimately your innermost being.” Deepak’s own daily ritual includes meditating every morning from 4-6am and then going for a yoga class. An inspiration to many, he himself has been inspired by people like J Krishnamurthy, a great Indian teacher; poet Tagore; as well as by Western philosophers, from Socrates to Hegel, Bertrand Russell and everyone in between. “I’m constantly drawing inspiration from children before they’re bamboozled by the hypnosis of social conditioning,” says Deepak. “I don’t believe in motivation – it’s such a mental thing. I believe in inspiration and that comes from just being yourself.” Food for thought, wouldn’t you say? APPLE SHARMA Inspirational speaker Deepak Chopra will grace the shores of Bahrain this month. BTM had an in-depth interview with the man himself ahead of his visit to the Kingdom. Talking about food, Deepak follows a vegetarian diet and says: “Avoid anything that comes from a factory – that has a label or comes in a can. In other words, avoid manufactured, processed, contaminated food that has antibiotics, hormones, steroids and genetically-modified organisms. Mostly plant based diets are healthier; meat is ok if you don’t over indulge in it.” Deepak believes diet is also cultural. “I don’t think you can convince an Eskimo to be vegetarian – there aren’t any to be found.” In conclusion, we asked Deepak the eternal question – what is the secret to a happy and fulfilling life? “Stop looking for it,” he says. “The biggest cause of insecurity is to search for security. The biggest cause of unhappiness is to search for happiness. So, if there’s one secret; it’s don’t take yourself or anybody else seriously.” A renowned author of many international bestsellers, Deepak will also be discussing his latest book Super Genes: The Key to Health and Well-Being, that delves into the science of epigenetics, at the seminar. Check out full details of his visit in our Happenings section.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==