Deepak Chopra has an unique approach to spirituality as a man of science, a medical doctor with knowledge in the physical world and as a spiritual leader, with deep insides into spiritual realm in all its manifestations... I am sure we all agree how fascinating and life changing his writing is. The simple fact that science and technology have dismantled our traditional beliefs made our road to spiritual discovery so much difficult. I feel comfortable with his unique approach to spirituality as he blends in one single concept the physical and spiritual world. It makes so much sense to our practical, modern minds to embrace the spirituality that doesn't alter or refute our values or believe system.
Born and raised as a Buddhist, Deepak Chopra transcended his traditional believes and embraced the universal spirituality where there are no boundaries, separatism or antagonist believe systems. In a recent interview he said: "Christ wasn't a Christian, Mohammed wasn't a Mohammedan and Buddha wasn't a Buddhist. These are dogmas and ideologies. The fight is about semantics..." If we are aware what science has shown us, we can no longer think of GOD the same way we did centuries ago... We can no longer squeeze God into the volume of a body and the span of a lifetime. That limits GOD... and GOD is limitless!
His bestseller book: "The Third JESUS: The Christ We Cannot Ignore", is one of the latest book written on the subject of divinity and Christianity, as he explains the transformation of teachings and theology.
It is in fact what we as humans understood, preached and followed in our core believe system about Jesus Christ.
1. In the beginning was the historical Jesus, who lived more than two thousand years ago and whose teachings are the foundation of Christian theology and thought. That is a historical fact... and we know next to nothing about him.
2. Than was Jesus the Son of God, who has come to embody an institutional religion with specific dogma, a priesthood, and devout believers... That is the Christian Church...
3. Now there is the third Jesus, the cosmic Christ, the spiritual guide whose teaching embraces all humanity, not just the church built in his name.
His approach to The Third JESUS... the cosmic Christ is the most fascinating... In his unique way of unveiling the history of Christianity he brings up conbtroversional facts by saying that his teachings have been hijacked by people who "hate" in the name of "love"... "He has served to divide peoples and nations. He has led to destructive wars in the name of religious fantasies. The legacy of love found in the New Testament has been tainted with the worst sort of intolerance and prejudice that would have appalled Jesus in life."
Therefore the cosmic Christ is the healer of this troubled planet...in an interview at FOX-NEWS Deepak Chopra told 'HANNITY & COLMES' about his belief that the Collective Consciousness has the power to re-balance the forces between the good and evil of the world. Watch the interview
If a "hundred million" people take a pledge to practice and promote nonviolence, peace, harmony and love for each others, family, friends, neighbors... that itself would generate a spontaneous shift in the Collective Consciousness. Consciousness is the collective phenomena with great transformation potential... We created the world we live in, as the world around is the reflection of our Collective Consciousness (look around in our violent world...) We have to change that through changing the way we see, live and understand the world around us.
As for the most expected return of Jesus on the earth is probably our redemption, rebirth and raise from ashes... the promise of a new better life and return to heaven of God.
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FOOT NOTE:
I believe that humanity struggled with faith and spirituality since the beginning of life. Has been decades of religious crusade and endless struggle for belief systems domination... even today in this troubled world.
If we read the history of religions over the century we have to accept that the faith is something deeply personal rooted in people's cultural, ethnic and historic-geographic background... Faith unite us and divides us in the same time.
I like to read Deepak Chopra's books because he doesn't dismiss nor judge anyone faith, (nor he advocate for conversion to a new one...) but invites us to find an answer, to the eternal question of divinity, in the context of philosophical-scientific reality. He is not a New Age Guru... he is an eminent Doctor physician who opens a door to a broader reality: humans are a speak of the universe energy therefore governed by the same laws of manifestation... we are limitless and divine. Within that scientific context he draws interesting philosophical (and religious) theories... not a revision or a new faith, just a provoking thought of how we can positively improve our life through living in harmony with the universe laws.
Arina, thanks for recapping this book. I had not heard of it and still am not sure what the author means by the Cosmic Christ. I do agree people throughout history have hijacked a message for their own means and fought wars and enslaved peoples for their interpretation. Intolerance is such a tough word to get a handle on. Sin should be forgiven yet not tolerated. Evil should never be ignored, or it will take root and flourish. We are all imperfect creatures. I'll have to read the full book to get a better grasp on what his idea is. Does Deepak Chopra call himself a Christian or an Agnostic?
Deepak Chopra teaches the belief, a main tenet of New Age spirituality, that human possibility is limitless. Chopra's main teaching is that the body, mind, and spirit are inseparable and affect one another. I don't know what he call himself to be ... but I know that he is Buddist in a traditional sense with deep spiritual roots in Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, and mind-body-spirit integration.
He embraces all religion and has a wide acceptance to all system believes. He use to say: "you don't have to believe in gravity to experience gravity, you don't have to believe in electricity to see a light bulb, you don't have to believe in God to find it in yourself"... what that tells you?
Hi Arina. In discussing religion many diverse opinions will arise. I don't understand New Age myself. In the book of Hebrews it says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I draw great strength myself personally from that sense of being constant. I respect others views with respect to religious beliefs. That's just my take on it. I think our possibilities are limitless too.
Arina thanks for introducing me to this book as religion has recently become a part of my life again. Perfect timing!
Hi Arina - although I have not read this book or any of Deepak Chopik's other books, it all sounds whacko to me. It says in God's Word (the Bible) that there is ONLY one way to the Father and that is through His Son Jesus Christ....Salvation is a FREE gift, all we have to do is accept it.
I commend you for your bravery! Deepak is someone who I have enjoyed reading a bit recently but I keep my beliefs and feelings to myself, especially since I think organized religion is "not good." Love reading, however, about the spiritual beliefs of other people and religions. Amazing that people, no matter their beliefs, think that their way is the only way.
I believe that humanity struggled with faith and spirituality since the beginning of life. Has been decades of religious crusade and endless struggle for belief systems domination... even today in this troubled world.
If we read the history of religions over the century we have to accept that the faith is something deeply personal rooted in people's cultural, ethnic and historic-geographic background... Faith unite us and divides us in the same time.
I like to read Deepak Chopra's books because he doesn't dismiss nor judge anyone faith, (nor he advocate for conversion to a new one...) but invites us to find an answer, to the eternal question of divinity, in the context of philosophical-scientific reality. He is not a New Age Guru... he is an eminent Doctor physician who opens a door to a broader reality: humans are a speak of the universe energy therefore governed by the same laws of manifestation... we are limitless and divine. Within that scientific context he draws interesting philosophical (and religious) theories... not a revision or a new faith, just a provoking thought of how we can positively improve our life through living in harmony with our universe.
Gary, I might of not articulated this post correctly... This book doesn't intend to correct, divers anyone faith in Jesus... Indeed: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but his intend was to find the application of his teaching in our troubled times and how to "heal" the earth from the hate, fights, procrastination, wars and disease... using a philosophical interpretation of history of his life and teachings... I see nothing wrong in that but rather provoking, reflective thought.
Susie, Thank you for wise words... I did not think about that when I wrote the post. It was a spontaneous reaction after reading it and liked to share with my friends. Hmmmmmm...
Mary, I totally respect your view... It might sound whacko in the beginning but after reading his first book you'll not be able to skip any others. He is fascinating and again, he doesn't dismiss nor judge anyone faith, (nor he advocate for conversion to a new one...) but invites us to find an answer, to the eternal question of divinity, in the context of philosophical-scientific reality. It is a good read and provoking reflection.
I have always thought that there is just 1 God.... and each religion is an interpretation of faith. I even believe that it may be God's choosing to have multiple religions so it is not boring!
Arina, a very interesting post. I was not aware of this book. Mainstream Christianity has difficulty with this. However without having read the book, I concur with him, as Christ was all about love and compassionate service to others. Gnostic's, not agnostic, believe that Christ did not die on the cross, and that he traveled and spent time in India studying their faith, he spent time learning about Islam. It is said that Jesus a man of love and peace is mentioned in the quran. I believe that when it is mentioned in the bible that when Jesus said the way to the father is thru him, it was in reference to our oneness with God. That we need to look to our GOd within. Thanks for a provacative post.
An interesting post and comments... I've not read Deepak Chopra either ... but have been asked what I think about his writing. I suppose this would be as good a place to start. :-)
Robert, I agree with your point of view but this book is not a religious book. It is a provoking thought about Jesus historical, biblical, philosophical, spiritual and religious impact on the civilization of the earth. Deepak Chopra is a brilliant scientific mind whose work is all about the new dimensions: our physical body (and mind) expansion into cosmic body of the universe. It is fascinating to read his books as he explore all avenues of strict interconnections between our physical body (molecules,cells, energy...) and the cosmic body governed by universal laws of energy. Within that scientific frame of thinking he draws fascinating theory about our mind, body and spirit Holiness with the Univers.
Chuck, We don't have to agree with him but his books are intelectually stimulating and provoking reflection about our physical body (mind and spirit) expansion into cosmic body of the universe.It is nothing offensive or disrespectful for religious believers it is an extra dimension added to our spirituality.
Paul, You are so deep in your observation. I did not intend to create a controversy but after reading his books I began to see the other dimension of our humanity... our oneness with God. That we need to look to our God within, as the universe is the manifestation of God and we are a holographic particle of this universe. God is everywhere in the universe!!!
Arina
You did not create a controversy, the underpinnings of organized religion becomes shaken with such talk, however I have come across many christians who feel there is more to all that is. It is all about seeking the truth. Christ was about seeking truth. He spent his life doing so. What you have shared, many others are awakening to these truths, there is a strong spiritual pull, or movement shapening in our world today and it will continue. Arina never, ever worry about what others perceive about your thoughts or beliefs. Keep sharing, as there may be a message for someone down the line. WHen someone gets upset by what I say or share, I simply tell them I am not out to convert anyone. WHen I share my thoughts, it is presented as strictly informational, they can take from it what is of value to them and simply discard the rest. Again thanks for the post, because of you I now will read this book.