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go deeper with deepak chopra

The Regenesys Business School invited Deepak Chopra to South Africa to participate in its Secrets of Success in Leadership conference, on Friday and Saturday, which examines the latest trends in leadership. Readers posed these questions to the self-help guru.

The Regenesys Business School invited Deepak Chopra to South Africa to participate in its Secrets of Success in Leadership conference, on Friday and Saturday, which examines the latest trends in leadership. Readers posed these questions to the self-help guru.

What keeps you inspired and motivated?

First of all it is important to make a distinction between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is a phenomenon of the mind and as a result, weak and ineffective.

Frequently people are motivated by fear, that is, if they don't lose weight they will have a heart attack. If they don't stop smoking they'll get cancer. Fear-motivated change in behaviour can, in fact, be dangerous.

Inspiration, comes from being in touch with your spirit. That's what the words means "to be in spirit". When you are inspired, there is no going back. The only way to remain inspired is to be in touch with your deeper self. I experience it daily through meditation.

How should South Africans come to terms psychologically with the crime level in the country?

Crime in society is a projection of our collective consciousness. Each person can make the commitment to be nonviolent in their own lives. Peace can not be legislated. It happens one person at a time.

Was there a turning point in your life, an event, that helped you get to where you are?

The turning point came gradually. It was the result of my own training in neuroendocrinology, which showed me the interface between consciousness and biology. At the same time I was observing howt two patients with a similar illness, getting similar treatment from the same physician, could have completely different outcomes. I realised that I was becoming a superb technician who knew about the human body but not a good healer. I decided to explore the realm of human consciousness.

What is your take on "The Secret", which says life's basic principle is "what you give out is what you'll get in"?

The basic principle is sound. The cautionary note is that it is not your ego that creates your reality but your deeper self, which is your soul. If we use the law of attraction for ego gratification, in the long run it will not work. Your motivation has to be unselfish.

Who do you consider to be a role model politician, and why?

Barrack Obama, in my opinion, is a role model politician. I consider him so because he is authentic, honest, and inspires an idealist vision.

Who do you consider to be a role model business person, and why?

In my opinion Bill Gates and Warren Buffet can be considered to be role model business persons who are using their business successes to make the world a better place.

Who do you consider to be a role model athlete, and why?

Any great athlete who does not use drugs would be a role model. I am discovering there aren't many.

What types of leaders (and business cultures) do you think the world needs in today's changing environment, more intelligent or intuitive?

Intelligence and intuition are no different. Intuition is a form of intelligence that is contextual, relational, holistic, nurturing, doesn't have a win-lose orientation and goes beyond linear cause effect relations. It leads to vision, creativity and transformation.

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