'''Deepak Chopra''', M.D., (born 1947 in New_Delhi,_India) is a medical doctor and popular contemporary writer in the United_States on Spirituality, Synchronicity, integrative medicine and Ayurveda. He claims Hinduism as his main influence, specifically the teachings of Vedanta and the Bhagavad_Gita. == Background == Chopra is a trained Physician and was board-certified in Internal_medicine and Endocrinology. He graduated from the All_India_Institute_of_Medical_Sciences in 1968, and after interning at a New_Jersey hospital, trained for several more years at the Lahey_Clinic in Burlington,_Massachusetts and at the University_of_Virginia_Hospital. He taught 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. He subsequently became associated with the Transcendental_meditation movement, but later branched off on his own, Primordial Sound Meditation. In 2004, Chopra was recruited to provide script advice to Indian film director Shekhar_Kapur on a proposed film to be made about the life of Siddhartha_Gautama, the Buddha. In June, 2005, Chopra and Kapur launched a discussion Blog Chopra and Kapur's discussion blog www.intentblog.com with a select group of their friends and family. The stated purpose of the blog is to present original voices from South_Asia (particularly India) and discuss a variety of topics. Image:DeepakChopra_GrowYounger_Cover.jpg == Writings == Chopra writes about holistically treating the body and promotes Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. He has also recorded and published some of his writings in Audiobooks form. == Criticism == Of particular concern to his critics are his frequent references to the relationship of Quantum_mechanics to Healing processes, which they consider part of a pattern of general confusion in the popular press regarding Quantum Measurement, Decoherence and the Heisenberg Uncertainty_principle. Deepak Chopra is also criticized for overly mystifying Hinduism and Ayurveda (a system of medicine). His qualifications in Ayurveda are questioned and by shrouding it in elusive language, he is accused of alienating it from the mainstream and de-legitimizing it. In its May 22/29, 1991 issue, the ''Journal_of_the_American_Medical_Association'' (''JAMA'') published a controversial article by Sharma, Triguna and Chopra: ''Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Modern Insights Into Ancient Medicine''.Sharma, Triguna and Chopra. ''Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Modern Insights Into Ancient Medicine''. JAMA. 1991 May 22-29;265(20):2633-4, 2637 Discovering that there was a serious problem, in the August 14 edition of JAMA, the editors published a correction''JAMA: Erratum in: JAMA 1991 Aug 14;266(6):798'' which included a financial disclosure, followed, in October 2, by a six-page exposé.''JAMA. 1991 Oct 2;266(13):1769-74. The series of events was later reviewed by Andrew Skolnick, the author of the October 2 exposé.Andrew Skolnick. ''The Maharhish Caper: Or How to Hoodwink Top Medical Journals'' ScienceWriters, Fall 1991 Some critics even accuse Chopra's writings and lectures of being dishonest and hypocritical. For example, Chopra frequently admonishes Materialism while living in a $2.5 million home and driving a Jaguar. The Skeptic's_Dictionary, whose article about Chopra is particularly critical, states: "Not using a current photo on your web site or on the jacket of your latest book, which would show how you are aging, is deceptive, especially since you claim to know how to overcome aging."The Skeptic's Dictionary: Deepak Chopra In March 2003, shortly before the US-led Invasion_of_Iraq, Chopra, upon being asked for creative ideas, gave ten suggestions, which included that Iraq could be disarmed without force, that religious leaders meet in Baghdad, increasing UN forces by tenfold, sponsoring 25,000 Iraq exchange students to the West, etc. He also suggested that a new Disney_World theme park in the Middle East would help to reduce fear and anger in children and that residents of Iraq should be provided free access to CNN, MTV and Nickelodeon http://www.wisdomseekers.org.nz/avoidwar.HTML to expose them to the rest of the world. Chopra's proposals were widely ridiculed. In August 2005, Chopra posted series of articles on the blog ''The_Huffington_Post'' (to which he is a frequent contributor) in which he offers his solution to the Creation-evolution_controversy. In doing so he expressed support for Intelligent_Design, and offered a series of questions about Evolution he believed could not be answered by science alone (thereby requiring an "intelligent designer").Chopra D, ''Intelligent Design Without the Bible'' Huffington Post August 23, 2005. Science writer Michael_Shermer, founder of The_Skeptics_Society and long-time critic of Chopra, posted a response. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-shermer/skyhooks-and-cranes-deep_b_6179.html == Books == * 1993 ''Ageless Body, Timeless Mind : The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old'' * 1993 ''Creating Affluence: Wealth Consciousness in the Field of All Possibilities'' * 1995 ''The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams'' * 2001 ''The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering, 100 Days of Healing'' * 2001 ''Grow Younger, Live Longer: 10 Steps to Reverse Aging'' * 2000 ''How to Know God : The Soul's Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries'' * 2003 ''Golf for Enlightenment: The Seven Lessons for the Game of Life'' * 2003 ''The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence'' * 2003 ''Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles'' ISBN 1844132218 * 2004 ''The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life'' * 2005 ''Peace Is the Way : Bringing War and Violence to an End'' ==Quotes== "The living body is the best pharmacy ever devised. It produces Diuretics, Painkillers, Tranquilizers, sleeping pills and Antibiotics. It applies the right dosages with minimal or no side effects, and the directions are inbuilt." ==References== * Chopra, Deepak (2001). ''The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams'' (paperback ed.). Crown Publishing. ISBN 0609802194. * Chopra, D., Skolnick, A.A., et. al. (1992). ''Letters to the Editor''. JAMA. 1992 Mar 11;267(10):1337-1340. * Skolnick, A. A. (1991). ''Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Guru's marketing scheme promises the world eternal "perfect health"''. JAMA. 1991 Oct 2;266(13):1741-2, 1744-5. * Skolnick, A. A. (1991). ''The Maharishi Caper: Or How to Hoodwink Top Medical Journals.'' Skeptical Inquirer, 1992 16(3)254-259 * Stenger, V. J. (1995). ''The Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and Cosmology''. Prometheus Books. == Notes== == External links == * The Chopra Center Official website. * Deepak Chopra's Events & summary biography by Global Leaders * Deepak Chopra's blog * Big Picture TV Free video clips of Deepak Chopra * Skepdic The Skeptic's Dictionary entry for Deepak Chopra * A critical essay by Stephen_Barrett. * Article discussing quantum mechanics and new age medicine by Stenger in Skeptical_Inquirer magazine. *Deepak Chopra Audio Books The Higher Self, Magical Mind/Magical Body, Journey to the Boundless & other audio books by Dr. Chopra. *http://www.aaskolnick.com/naswmav.htm"The Maharishi Caper: Or How to Hoodwink Top Medical Journals," published in ScienceWriters. Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Deepak De:Deepak_Chopra Nl:Deepak_Chopra Sv:Deepak_Chopra