Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Peace mission

PLAINSPEAK Deepak Chopra

Wellness guru Deepak Chopra, co-founder of the Chopra Centre for Well Being in Carlsbad, California, has authored many books on health and spirituality. He is also a renowned public speaker and a key person in the field of mind-body medicine.

He is at ease discussing a multitude of issues, ranging from terrorism to the recent AIG bonus scandals. “I feel that the training in business schools needs to change. They must learn that managing a business is not only about making profits; it involves many social obligations as well. This ‘only profit’ mantra must be junked immediately. Greed and corruption have ruined the basic edifice of our economic system.”

He feels that spirituality is vital to ensure that people lead peaceful lives. “This economic slowdown has been created by us. Excess greed and an uncontrolled consumerist attitude is responsible for this mess the world finds itself in.”

Chopra feels that the economic crisis has been created by the lack of actual goods and services. “Of the nearly three trillion dollars traded everyday, only about two per cent is spent on providing actual goods and services. Such a situation could result in a major crisis.”

He says: “In this mad rush to achieve economic greatness, we tend to forget that the human brain and body are capable of achieving much more. Spirituality is a process of understanding one’s own creativity and abilities.”

Deepak feels that spiritualism must not be confused with religion. “It is a completely different concept. Religion often makes people rigid and resist change. You don’t necessarily need religion to find God.”

He feels that terrorism has been a bogey that has been created by some elements and aided by events such as the ill-advised second Gulf War. “You will not be successful defeating terrorism by killing the terrorists. We need to weed out the fundamentalist fringe and ensure that moderate sections of the population are not drawn into such movements.”

Deepak says that in times of strife and conflict like these, peace is the only solution for a better world. “We need to act soon and ensure that peace prevails across the world. The people around the globe want to bring up their children in a peaceful world, not one damaged by hatred and relentless conflict.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail