Lifestyle

Deepak Chopra Visits Miami, Talks About New Book

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Deepak Chopra was practicing medicine in the United States when he says he learned to believe in the spiritual component to healing. The spiritual guru was in South Florida Tuesday, attending UM Sylvester's Well Being - Being Well Conference.

He was ready to go, even though he had just flown in from South Africa the night before. Chopra says he likes to have fun and you can probably tell from his hot red glasses with sparkles.

"Somebody gave them to me and I like them," he told CBS4's Shannon Hori.

The topic of his new book, "The Third Jesus," is serious. It looks at a cosmic Christ, who is a state of consciousness.

"When you have that state of consciousness, it affects everything," he said. "It affects biology, perceptions, personal relationship, social interactions, environment you create around yourself."

SHANNON: You have said Jesus in this book is a lot like a woman. What does that mean?

"Jesus has a lot of nurturing qualities," he answered.

Chopra attended a Roman Catholic School in India, and watched the Pope's visit to the U.S. very closely.

"He did make a statement that spirituality should not be private. That you have to belong to a church to be saved."

"I guess he was just doing what he was supposed to do."

Despite his popularity, his views have sparked criticism--something he says he expected. His spiritual diet includes two hours of meditation, two hours of exercise, and daily writing. Maybe that's why he doesn't feel a day over 35. Chopra is 61-years-old.

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