Deepak Chopra: The future of ‘Alternative Medicine’

Indian-born American writer and alternative medicine proponent, Deepak Chopra is one of the most acknowledged and affluent persons in the field of alternative medicine. Deepak’s books and videos have managed him a huge fan-following besides materialistic assets. Deepak is a master in mind-body healing.

Early Life

Born on 22 October, Deepak was born to a cardiologist in New Delhi. Initially, Deepak did not want to scout out a career in medicine rather in journalism but as he grew up, his enchantment towards medicine grew. He studied at St. Columba’s School in New Delhi and graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi before he moved to the US in 1970. In his early days, he wished to study neuroendocrinology to find a relation between the effect of thoughts and emotions. He got married in 1970 before migrating to the US. In those days, the Indian Government had barred its doctors from writing the American Medical Association Exam which was imperative to start one’s practice in the USA. Owing to this, Deepak had to travel all the way to Sri Lanka to write the exam. He envisioned a career in Western medicine and with a dream in his eyes moved to New Jersey with just 25$ with him. Before moving to the US, he worked as a doctor in rural India.

Career: Author, Doctor, Public Speaker

It didn’t take him too long to feel the pressures of the profession in Western medicine and he became embittered with the same and its dependency on prescription drugs. It was then that he found refuge while reading a book on transcendental medicine which deepened his interest in alternative medicine and made him more disoriented towards Western medicine. When Deepak met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he quit his job and co-founded an alternative products organization with him. This organization specialized in products such as oils and herbal teas. This stepping stone made him well-known among the celebrities as well. Chopra also taught at Harvard, Boston & Tufts University.

The Journey Ahead: Best-Selling Author & leading figure

He disjoined from Maharishi in 1990s and after another failed career span with Sharp Institute for Human Potential and Mind/Body Medicine, he started Chopra Centre for Well Being in 1995. Chopra wrote his first book, Quantum Healing, in 1989 and it made some generous mark. Chopra’s career as an author skyrocketed after the issue of Ageless Body, Timeless Mind which sold over 1 Million copies.

His ideologies and messages are based upon his belief that a person’s dependency on materialistic aspects gets in the way of realization of tranquility and bliss. He believed that health and happiness can best be found within ourselves and for the better, a large audience gelled well with his ideologies. Deepak has authored 86 books, 14 of which are best-sellers, and has been a journalist for the Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Into the Media

Deepak was bestowed “the poet-prophet of alternative medicine” by the Time Magazine in 1999. He was a friend of the notable Michael Jackson and publicized his messages often through the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to this, Chopra also tried his hand at the music industry and partnered with artists like Madona and Dave Stewart, to name a few.

Some stories are written not only to be read but to learn lessons that emphasize vision, struggle, hardwork and perseverance.