How to Know God : The Soul's Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries - Softcover

Deepak Chopra

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0712605487 ISBN 13: 9780712605489

Publisher: Random House, 2001

Synopsis

The bestselling author of Ageless Body, Timeless Mind has written his most ambitious and important work yet - an exploration of the seven ways we experience God. These are shaped, not by any one religion, but by an instinct that is hardwired into the brain. In this remarkable book, Chopra takes us step by step from the first stage, where the brain's 'fight or flight' response leads us to a God who is an all-powerful and sometimes unpredictable parent, to the seventh stage, where the brain experiences God as pure being, beyond thought, a sacred presence. It is at this seventh stage that we attain a true, life-changing spiritual understanding of the world and our place in it; it is the level at which saints and sages dwell. All seven stages are available to each of us, all the time. Deepak Chopra explores mysticism, religious ecstasy, genius, telepathy, multiple personality and clairvoyance, drawing insights from psychology, neurology and physics, as well as from the great religions. The result is vintage Chopra applied to the ultimate quest.

About this title

Review:

God is not a person or a thing but rather a process, according to world-renowned author and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra. The purpose of this ambitious book is to assure readers that anyone can engage in this process--"it isn't a matter of faith, religious teaching, innate goodness, luck or some other mysterious factor," Chopra explains. "Our brains are hardwired to find God." This hardwiring is deftly explored as Chopra lists the seven ways humans know God and how they correspond to the anatomy of our human brains. He devotes a chapter to each of the seven visions of God: "Protector," "Almighty," "God of Peace," "Redeemer," "Creator," "God of Miracles," and "Pure Being--I am." In every chapter he asks and answers the same questions for the readers: "Who am I?" "How do I fit in?" "How do I find God?" The format works well, helping to tame this broad discussion while also illuminating the different personality types that are attracted to these seven different visions.

Fortunately, Chopra is a gifted narrator, able to make human anatomy and quantum physics understandable while also keeping spiritual and metaphysical discussions grounded. As he drifts through the cloudy realms of ESP, telepathy, clairvoyance, miracles, obedience, loyalty, evil, ego, addictions, and mentors, readers can trust that there is a competent pilot at the helm, deftly guiding this excellent book. Plan to take some time with this one. It is perhaps his best yet and as such deserves a slow and steady commitment. --Gail Hudson

From the Back Cover:

"I congratulate Dr. Deepak Chopra for this wonderful book, reaching out to many, many readers, on the subject of spirituality but with a scientific approach."
--The Dalai Lama

"The most important book about God for our times. This book is a magical stairway to ascend to a life-changing experience of the sacred."
--Robert Thurman, Ph.D., professor of religion, Columbia University

"This book, which unfolds the knowledge of God-consciousness, is at once
a map of Spirit and a map of your own deepest Self."
--Ken Wilber, author of Integral Psychology

"How to Know God is a profound and accessible exploration of the experience
of God, including an understanding of it in biological and scientific terms.
It is both fascinating and uplifting."
--Andrew Weil, M.D., director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona

"One of the best books ever written about a subject that more people
think about than anything else."
---Larry King, host of Larry King Live, CNN

"Deepak Chopra has really done it this time--a brilliant, scholarly yet lyrical synthesis of neuroscience, quantum physics, personal reminiscence, and Eastern, Western, and spiritual thinking."
--Candace Pert, Ph.D., research professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and author of Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine

"Just when I think he can't go any deeper, he does. We have in our midst a spiritual genius."
--Marianne Williamson, author of Return to Love

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0712605487
• ISBN 13: 9780712605489
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288