M.J. Rose

Four questions for Deepak Chopra

Caille Millner, Chronicle Staff Writer

Deepak Chopra is one busy spiritualist, physician, alternative medicine guru, author, motivational speaker, philosopher, radio host and celebrity. Somehow, Chopra also finds time to write a weekly column for The Chronicle’s SFGate.

Chopra keeps a furious pace of world travel for his appearances, but he says he always looks forward to going home to San Diego. He’s written scores of books, including his latest, “Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How to Create a New You” (304 pages, Harmony), which he was promoting in San Francisco recently. After his morning routine of working out and meditating, Chopra sat down with us and talked about the state of things.

Q: With so many people out of jobs and facing a less certain future, what is your advice for living well in these changing times?

A: De-clutter your life. Give away things to Goodwill or to people in need. When you buy something, give away something. When you buy a new pair of shoes, give a pair to somebody who needs them. Focus on relationships, not consumption. Take part in the “gift economy” – giving away things to help others.

(For the complete article, please click here to visit SFGate.)

Logging ’caused Nazca collapse’ (BBC)
By Jody Bourton
Earth News reporter

Created by a sophisticated society that crossed the line?

The ancient Nazca people of Peru are famous for the lines they drew in the desert depicting strange animal forms.

A further mystery is what happened to this once great civilisation, which suddenly vanished 1,500 years ago.

Now a team of archaeologists have found the demise of the Nazca society was linked in part to the fate of a tree.

Analysing plant remains they reveal how the destruction of forests containing the huarango tree crossed a tipping point, causing ecological collapse.

For the rest from the BBC, click here.

Politics aside, the Dalai Lama’s rare wisdom is so incredibly attuned to help us deal with our modern dilemmas – I imagine that his counsel would be very, very helpful for any world leader, particularly one such as Obama with huge decisions to make very quickly about the war. If I could offer only one kernal of advice to Obama it would be to seek out as much time with the Dalai Lama as possible…

President Obama passes on meeting with the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama was in Washington this week meeting with politicians, scientists, and students. Notably missing from the schedule was President Obama who will meet with His Holiness after a November meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao.
The Dalai Lama was in the United States this week visiting with dignitaries and politicians on his continuing mission of the regaining the sovereignty of Tibet which has been on going for decades.
He spoke with students at the American University, scientist, and politicians. But so far he as not met with President Obama which would be the first time a sitting President as not had an audience with the religious leader.
President Obama has agreed to meet with him only after meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao in November. This move by the President has caused a curious stir in politics in Washington.

For the complete article, click here.