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December 4, 2015 By Admin

Deepak Chopra’s Ideas on “The Future of God” – Part 3 of 3 By Anthony R. Quintiliani, Ph.D.,Ladc

Deepak Chopra’s Ideas on “The Future of God” – Part 3 of

In this third and last post I will discuss Deepak Chopra’s views of the three worlds of human experience: Material, Subtle, and Transcendent.  As usual, I will paraphrase and add my own comments as appropriate.  Belief in god or a higher power has no borders, neither formal national borders nor personal reality borders.  Let’s explore the three human worlds, and how they relate to spiritual development and energies.

  1. The Material World  – This world of human experience is based on pure duality as in happy-sad, good-evil, pleasure-pain, craving-avoidance, light-dark, etc.  This is the world of ego and personality of the self.  This is the conditioned world made up of atomic particles formed into materials and experiences we judge as good and not good.  It all reflects what our brain’s neurons are doing within the experiences of life. It is the world of self-interest, self-aggrandizement, the self of I/Me/Mine.  Even though we humans represent a very, very tiny insignificant speck in the universe, we somehow see ourselves as very important within the overall scheme of existence.  Although we may someday destroy the world as we know it, we are – on the whole – quite unimportant in the infinite system of all things in all ten directions. We are driven by desire, and the basis for positive versus negative evaluations are based on the sense doors of our experience.  If we judge our sensory experiences to be what WE WANT, they are good; if we judge our sensory experiences to be what WE DO NOT WANT, they are bad. We tend to be comfortable, even happy, if personal reality provides more of what we desire.  We tend to be unhappy (even angry and sometimes dangerous) if personal reality fails to provide what we desire.  This is the world of possible entitlement and narcissistic injury. We view and evaluate all worldly happenings as good or bad based on what our inner sensations and emotions (with thoughts and behaviors) “tell” us.  It is an internal, evaluative part of being human. As the ever changing reality of experience continues (impermanence), we track it by how our emotions react to the changes. The world of samsara is a hopeless world, in which we cannot attain lasting satisfactions let alone lasting intrinsic happiness. Unless we grow via spiritual expansion, we remain trapped in day-to-day “I got what I wanted” or “I did not get what I wanted.” The ups and downs of this rollercoaster life tend to end in dissatisfaction (as The Buddha noted). We may learn to self-medicate (see earlier posts on this topic) to experience short-term pleasure or escape from suffering but it always ends with long-term pain.
  2. The Subtle World – If/when we grow spiritually, we may attain access to the subtle world.  In this transitional and energetic space, we experience a bit more intuition, even deep insight about the true nature of things.  Opposites tend to move toward the middle way, and our deep-rooted desires begin to move from material gain to finding more meaning and purpose in life (happiness). We may have more awareness of our own inner changes, enjoy the natural world and its wonders, and begin to think and act (thoughts, emotions, behaviors) in more compassionate ways.  We may even care about the welfare of others more than our own personal self-cherishing.  We encounter the awe and bliss of our “soul.”  We use mindfulness skills to follow where I mind goes, and we may be able to set its direction on our own.  We are far less dominated by automatic negative thinking. We become less fearful, more cooperative, and more hopeful. We recognize the core change rests in our willingness to hold a more flexible view of ourselves, other people, and the world as a whole.  We experience and value inspiration and deeper insight into higher consciousness and the way things are. We have more radical acceptance of whatever comes to us, and find ways to be OK with it all.
  3. The Transcendent World – There are many great steps from material to subtle to transcendent worlds.  They all begin with the first step.  Here we seek the sources of perceived and experienced reality.  We may even be with the ultimate oneness of all things.  We may suffer less; this occurs because we are less conflicted and trapped by the I/Me/Mine expectations of the material world. It is NOT about competition for the good.  Opposites tend to collapse into some form of non-duality and oneness. If we are fortunate, we experience true consciousness and discover the cosmic reality of boundlessness, egolessness and selflessness. We are more open to ultimate possibilities, even ultimate emptiness. We feel more connected to ourselves, other people, greater consciousness – perhaps even to god or some form of higher power.
  4. Creation of The Higher Self – The subtle and transcendent worlds provide us with experiences that open up our higher self.  We may feel lighter, boundless and secure. We may enjoy life just as it is – without ego-based reactivity and aggressiveness. We feel a true calmness in our center. We accept and forgive without heroic effort. We find deep personal happiness in meaning and purpose in life.  We attain  a state of liberation from attachment, desire, craving, avoidance, etc. We thrive on curiosity, and we do seek higher wisdom even if it ends in emptiness (not-nihilism). We recognize that pleasure and pain, happiness and sadness, satisfaction and dissatisfaction are simply the realities of being human. We feel more inspiration and bliss – sometimes even in simple day-to-day things we encounter. As we continue to grow, we realize that the true sources of creation, joy, bliss are within ourselves NOT out there somewhere far away. We seek higher truth.  Vedanta and greater Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam ALL TEACH that the ultimate answer to our most meaningful questions and life experiences all are already within us. Now we may have the security, inner peace and deeper wisdom to discover our center and its meaning.

For more information refer to Chora, D, (2014). The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times. New York: Harmony Books, pp. 145-215.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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November 28, 2015 By Admin

Deepak Chopra Ideas on “The Future of God”

Deepak Chopra Ideas on “The Future of God” – Part 1

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Deepak Chopra’s new book, The Future of God… (2014) presents some very challenging perspective on spirituality, atheism, and formal religion.  Here I will simply present some paraphrased details and my own ideas on these topics.

Basic Foundations

Human beings have special talents for searching and finding spiritual systems to become part of. We crave the reality of some higher power to have faith in.  Questions about: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my ultimate purpose in this life? Why do I suffer? Is there a GOD? Even an intelligent view of the tao of the universe suggests that there must be “something” higher out there if not within. Our primary search begins within – the god spot in the brain, the heart, the soul.  We need to find something larger, greater than ourselves to believe in.  We crave a spiritual awakening to find truth – our personal truth and a higher truth.  The peak experience of being in spirit lies only in the present moment experience. Perhaps we are trying to fill a deep hole of inner emptiness, or just trying to make sense of the troubled world and the vast universe of all things in the Ten Directions. Ultimately we HOPE our beliefs and faith will lead to some form of salvation, liberation or true centering inside the core of our self.  Mainly we seek safety, protection, security, inspiration happiness, and success within our own being and within our many groups (family, friends, partner/s, ethnic and racial group, nation, world beings). Ultimate we hope belief in something bigger will lead to less suffering, less boredom, and more happiness. We will stop at nothing – even cruel beheadings and the suffering of The Crusades – to validate that our belief (our god, gods, systems) are the true paths to salvation.  In the end, however, we seek serious and complete transformation – transformation that leads to inner peace, fulfillment, soulful feelings, compassion, higher consciousness, and transcendence beyond the beyond. Beyond any ego-based self.

To be successful in the pathway we must have strong faith. Our faith is highly personal, often unjustified, and requires our complete attention and participation. Our faith sometimes lands us into spiritual places (inside, outside)  where we hope to find deeper meaning.  It requires NO scientific proof, just strong faith and regular practice. The “Dark Night of the Soul” has something to offer all of us. Perhaps The Bhagavad Gita is correct in noting that faith originates in MINDFULHAPPINESS_TheBhagavadGitaperceptions of the mind – mental objects that place “I/Me” at the center of movement toward a more true and secure identity. Then we must pay attention to Mother Theresa’s questions.  Agnus Bojaxhiu noted that although Jesus has special love for all people, she experienced only “silence and emptiness.” How did she go on and on to help others?  What about wisdom?  Wisdom often supports faith in that we learn knowledge and practice in the hopes of making things better for ourselves and for others. Our acts of goodness and compassion take root in the seeds of deep wisdom – wisdom pushed on through faith. From the Buddhist perspective, it has been noted that The Buddha was the master of afflictive spirituality, general dissatisfaction in life.  Surely, meaningful life goes beyond simple pleasure and pain; surely, meaningful life includes detached attachment, acceptance of impermanence, no-self (aggrandizements), and the compassion of fearlessness in the vast emptiness. Whether it is through the teaching of Jesus or the Eightfold Path of The Buddha or other deeply spiritual teaching, we can achieve some level of spiritual satisfaction even in this materialistic, troubled life we live.  Spiritual belief, faith, wisdom, regular practice, and compassionate actions – all lead us to deeper personal spiritual experience.

In the end of our energetic searching, let’s hope that spiritual faith and wisdom-like actions lead us to patience, kindness, generosity, humility, emotional regulation, sincere truth, and inner peace with joy.  Yes, this would be great outcome for all our efforts.  See part 2 coming soon.

For more information refer to Chopra, D. (2014). The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times. New York: Harmony Books, pp. 1-142.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

CLICK HERE  or any image below to Order 

Mindful Happiness cover designs.indd

MindfulHappiness_Amazon           mindful-happiness_barnes_and_noble

Filed Under: Book Review, Deepak Chopra, Featured Tagged With: BOOK REVIEW, DEEPAK CHOPRA, DR ANTHONY QUINTILIANI, THE FUTURE OF GOD

October 24, 2015 By Admin

Mindful Walking Meditation

Mindful Walking Meditation:

How to Walk by Thich Nhat Hanh – A Powerful Short Book of Wisdom

In my opinion, Thich Nhat Hanh and The 14th Dalai Lama are the two most important and wise teachers of mindfulness, meditation, compassion, and Buddhism in the 21st century.  Below I will offer my interpretation of Thich Nhat Hanh’s new book. At the same time, I will attempt to distill thich-nhat-hanh_MindfulHappinesshis wise instructions about how to walk.  The post will end with a short segment on formal walking meditation.  My agenda here, is to write my comments so they may be useful to both lay and Buddhist practitioners.


Part 1: The Basics of Walking with Mindfulness

Here we’ll review instructions on how to make any walk a mindful walk.  Settle in and take a few calmer, slower, deeper breaths.  Use your intention to prepare yourself for walking.  As you lift your foot, inhale; as you place your foot (heal first) on the earth, exhale.  Remain silent – just breathe and walk.  Deeply appreciate the solid mother earth under you.  Focus complete attention on the act of walking, thus relieving your mind of the need to think, evaluate, associate,tell stories, etc.  Concentrate fully on the present moment of touching the earth.  You arrive with each step. Allow mind to follow body with breath – feel your inner peace and joy.  Adding a peaceful smile may improve your Mindful Walking ; Mindful Happinessexperience of “just walking.”  Reflect on your gratitude for your moving legs, beating heart, working lungs and being on solid ground.  Allow your walking body to liberate your mind from the incessant tangles of daily life.  Bring your attention back to focused walking each and every time your mind wonders off into something/somewhere else. Notice your inner peace – feel it gently.  Value and respect it. Give great appreciation for your bodhisattva ways (helping others).  You may want to imagine that you are walking with the Buddha’s fee – being one with the Buddha.  Be one with the peace and joy of walking slowly, effortlessly, lovingly. Walk this way more often at work, at home, outdoors, etc. (See pages 1-50 for more details.)

Part 2: More Details and Depth on How to Walk

Notice great ease as you allow your breath to lead your walking body.  Continue to concentrate of how the moving body/legs feel; this will reduce distractions in the mind. You may walk alone, with others, or imagining others are with you (ancestors, friends, people you love, the Buddhas, etc.).  Feel their wonderful energies. Walk in honor of them and mother earth, and all those who have walked here before you.  Since enlightenment and nirvana cannot be understood as mental concepts or perceptions, just allow the body to walk in mutuality with the breath, the mind, the earth. Bring full mindful attention to the feelings of walking; be the awareness – stay present and return your mindful awareness if/when it moves away.  No past, and no future – just the present moment “here now.” Notice internally – there may be subtle or strong feelings of deep peace, compassion, and wisdom – even possibly love.  As you walk, observe, feel, and appreciate everything that appears in the present moment of movement. Allow yourself to forget the past and the future – the past cannot be changed, and the future gives you little control over it.  While walking adopt the Buddha’s view that practice is non-practice and attainment is non-attainment. Be effortless! Just walk – BE the moving body, the quiet mind, the inner peace, the silent joy.  (See pages 51-97 for more details.)

Part 3: More Formal Walking Meditation

Building from the earlier parts of this post, prepare your intention for formal walking meditation practice. Complete a few calm, slow, deep breaths. Place hand/arms in front, behind, or by your sides. Hold your head level and allow a gentle gaze 2-3 feet in front of you. Pay close attention to walkingmeditaion_mindfulhappinessthe feelings in the body – lifting the leg inhale then placing the leg on solid earth exhale. Breathe the movement, peace, and joy – all in unison. If/when your mind distracts or goes elsewhere, gently and lovingly bring your focus back to just walking. No self-criticism. Be silent! Smile! Count your breaths if it helps.  It will be more relaxing if you extend the exhalations slightly longer than the inhalations. This will activate your vagal nerve network and bring more calmness. You may want to add a brief mantra to your walking: “May I breathe and walk in peace.”  Other phrases may help:  “in and out,” “deep and silent,” “I smile and let go,” or “my wonderful present moment.”  Make up what you want to say if helpful, or say nothing.  Just concentrate on feelings of movement and touching the earth. Slow down; speed up.  Walk at the pace you desire. Do what work best for you.  Bring breath, mind, body, joy and self together – fully integrated in the act of walking meditation.  Take personal refuge in your walking.  Attend to the outside, but feel the inside. Be the walking; be the peace; be the joy! Hold strong gratitude for your walk, and appreciate all aspects of this meditation practice.

For best experiences, consider walking meditation outside in the natural environment.

Be like the Taoists; be in nature’s beauty.  Enjoy! (See pages 99 – 117) for more details.)

Nhat Hanh, Thich (2015). How to Walk. Berkeley,CA: Parallax Press.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

CLICK HERE  or any image blow to Order 

Mindful Happiness cover designs.indd

Filed Under: Book Review, Featured, Nhat Hanh Thich, People, Walking Meditation Tagged With: BOOK REVIEW, DR ANTHONY QUINTILIANI, HOW TO WALK, MINDFUL HAPPINESS, MINDFUL WALKING, NHAT HANH THICH, WALKING MEDITATION

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