About a year and half ago, I set out to make a film about my dad Deepak Chopra. I thought it would be interesting. I wanted to resolve the contradiction I sensed existed in what his audience thought of him vs. how I did. But almost as soon as I started filming, I realized that the film was actually about me, about my need to define my dad or maybe even define the dad I wanted to be to my new son. And when I was done and started showing the film to people and getting their reactions, I realized that maybe this film is about people.
That's a long way of saying that "Decoding Deepak" is about a lot of things: It's about the icons we build in a culture that's constantly searching for meaning. It's about deconstructing celebrity. It's about families -- father and sons and trying to resolve love with a longing to self-determine. And it's about making sense of a world that is collapsing on itself. I think my father has become a symbol of this "flattening world" -- Eastern wisdom traditions merging with Western insights, the nexus of science and spirituality. The audience he has built primarily through his 66 books is largely trying to resolve these forces, in the world and in their own lives. I know I am -- struggling to find meaning and purpose and significance in my existence while making a living, paying a mortgage and having a political opinion at the same time. Where does dear old dad Deepak Chopra fit in in that equation?
My late friend Michael Jackson used to tell me that he just had music inside of him and all he was doing was letting it out -- whoever listened, listened. Later in his life, when he became embroiled in more controversy and scandals and wanted to use his music as a way to express his rage or articulate his response to his critics, he told me that it just didn't feel the same. That same detached inspiration that was once the bedrock of his art was lost. I've never forgotten that and when I reflect on gifted creators -- like MJ, or my dad, as I documented him through the course of this film -- I often think that at their best they are totally indifferent and detached from whomever is listening. They are singing in the shower, uncaring about any audience. Whatever they think, whether criticizing or celebrating, often has a lot more to do with them and their state of awareness rather than the person doing the singing.
The consequence of detachment can be emotional distance, which is probably something that for years I struggled with as it related to my dad. Why I felt he may be able to solve the world's problems, but wouldn't necessarily be the guy I'd go to to solve mine. Over time though, as I have personally matured, I think I've realized that the only person who can really help me solve my own problems is me. And that's something my dad has been telling the world his whole career.
I think my father -- and the film, I hope -- is really a looking glass. His rise to popularity has much to do with where the world is today, desperately searching for answers, feeling discontented by the tired ones that come from old institutions -- be they of science or spirituality. Most of his audience are people that have reached a stage of awareness in which reflection and existentialism is natural. Maybe because they have already achieved great success in their work or raised their children. Or maybe because they have suffered some sort of loss or are questioning their faith. Whatever the catalyst, these are people who are questioning larger invisible forces in their lives, and in him they find some sort of mirror. Like him, this film is what you want it to be.
'Decoding Deepak' was released on Oct. 5 by Snag Films.
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Information with Inspiration
Bahá’à Social Teachings: For now and next 900 plus years!
Unfettered search after truth.
The oneness of mankind.
Religion a cause of love and harmony.
Religion hand in hand with science.
Universal peace
An international language.
Education for all.
Equal opportunities for both sexes.
Justice for all.
Work for all.
Abolition of extremes of poverty and wealth.
The Holy Spirit to be the prime motive power in life.
For World Unity
1. Unity in the political realm.
2. Unity of thought in world undertakings.
3. Unity of freedom.
4. Unity in religion.
5. Unity of nations.
6. Unity of races.
7. Unity of language.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Son and appointed by his Father as successor of the Baha'i Faith, introduced these Social Teachings while traveling through the United States of America in 1912. One of these that indicated that the equality of men and women was to be initiated, was not acceptable to the followers of Islam!
Though celebrities like Deepak Chopra who are more focused on their spiritual journey are destined to go far beyond, even beyond all relationships at the end.
I studied under your dad quite a bit. He is brilliant, but also only human.
My own dad was a bit like that.
Your film will be interesting because you made it and it will be your own artistic expression. I would see it to better understand you, not your dad. Many people already know he is interesting, now it will be fun to see how your lens reveals your own truths.
I'm guessing it is more than a mirror, a telescope perhaps.
Moreover, not many people know that just as mothers give birth to children, father too do the same. A father gives birth to a daughter from his emotional self on her marriage and more pronouncedly to sons from his mind or intellectual self when father's are sort of leaving their middle age (around 60) and sons entering sort of middle age of overall half age (commonly known as adulthood (around 30).
All the apparent fight between fathers and sons is the fight of giving this birth.
No wonder sons of even Guru Nanak of Sikhs were estranged with him though not many talk it in that open a way.
What "answers" has Deepak ever provided that are superior to the allegedly "tired ones" of science or spirituality?
So of course he's popular. Not one person in a thousand can really understand an idea like quantum entanglement and its relevance to his life. But tell people that quantum entanglement is the reason their mental state can affect their healing, and they smile and think, "Gee, that was easy. Why do those eggheads at CERN have to make it sound so hard?"
It's good that you're aware of the discrepancy between how seriously your father takes what he says and how not seriously philosophers and scientists (and many theologians) take him.
He could help so many people with *real* psychology, and *real* self-help, rather than psuedo-science.
The so called enlightened sages of india indeed have much to offer the world and Deepak captured that wisdom.
Deepak is a very good writer and speaker and has a very powerful intellect.
Just dont read him if you are interested in life beyond this life as he knows little about it. he has relied on religion for the answers and they have few answers.
Anytime spiritual gurus bring their family members into the mix they are more interested in generating wealth than spiritual wisdom. and you can take that to the bank. :-)
Just sayin - that's my idea of "timeless" in comparison.
eye roll
great taste but less filling
;-)