TESTING the results of two different ways of thinking -
is questioning the value of pure logic based on what science presently knows versus what is being called mysticism. Some believe the two can exist together while others take an all or nothing approach. Convenient as it would be to have absolute certainty about how everything works in our world, I believe that room must be left for exploration and the possibility that we do not yet understand all the forces at work in the universe or ourselves.
Deepak Chopra (or should we call him - Deep-end Chopra) has attempted to combine the value of both schools of thought. It may be convenient to dismiss him as a wing nut and find negative quotes about his work on the web in order to hold on to a mind set that offers absolute certainty. I had that as a Jehovah’s Witness and found that it caused me to have a closed mind. For every such quote there is a positive one and testimonies from the many people he has helped.
Deepak Chopra does not need me to defend him, his work speaks for itself. I agree that he has some unusual beliefs and can see how he is leaving himself exposed to ridicule, but I do not dismiss him, wholesale because of this.
I examine all his ideas and give him credit for trying to find an alternative way of healing to that offered by the drug companies and being prepares to see the benefits of both schools of thought. He was prepared to be right but also prepared to be wrong about his currently held medical ideas. It is through such open minded enquiry that the world has advanced.
Chopra created a paradigm for exploring the healing process - a model he calls Quantum Healing. He recalls, "As doctors we are taught to prescribe tranquillisers for people who are feeling anxious to promote tranquillity. We give sleeping pills to people with insomnia. Quantum Healing looks past all the wonder drugs and modern technology to a natural way of healing which speaks to an integration of mind and body."
Rather than turn his back on his conventional training, he extended his practice to bring together the best of ancient wisdom and modern science. In 1984, he helped to introduce Ayurvedic medicine to the United States, and within a year he established an Ayurvedic Health Centre of Stress Management and Behavioral Medicine in Lancaster, Massachusetts. He was also the founding President of the American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. Since that time, he has emerged as one of the world's leading proponents of this innovative combination of Eastern and Western healing.
I think it is important not to confuse such open minded exploration with a search for God. Many here react against anything mystical because of the anger they feel. Initially this was an anger towards God which developed into a belief that there is no God. So the anger has then become directed towards themselves for believing in a God and allowing such belief to affect their lives.
Now this has become a hostility towards anything that is outside of their frame of reference, or anything that might lead back to the concept that they have rejected.
This is totally understandable but absolute certainty has had to yield to new evidence many times particularly in the world of science. It is possible that we barely understand the way the world really works and have many new discoveries to make. They may shatter many of the beliefs that science presently accepts. A humble a flexible mind will cope with change far better than an opinionated mind. My comments are not directed to any particular person but just a few of my thoughts. I have enjoyed all your posts and think the sharing of your opinions helps to achieve balance.
I simply say - Never say Never!
Trevor
