When I recently attended the taping of Oprah's Lifeclass at Radio City Music Hall in which Deepak Chopra served as guest teacher, you could feel the mutual respect, affection and friendship between the two trailblazing thought leaders (during the show Oprah lovingly referred to the combination of Oprah and Chopra as "Choprah"). In fact, it was Deepak Chopra who Oprah says was the inspiration for her recent trip to India. So it is compelling to watch Oprah turn her probing interviewing skills upon the world-renowned author and spiritual pioneer, in an insightful interview which airs this coming Sunday on a special one-hour episode of her "Super Soul Sunday" series on the network she founded, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
In the interview, taped in India, Dr. Chopra talks about his ground-breaking work in the field of mind-body medicine, the lessons he's learned from his parents and family, the influence that India's rich cultural traditions have had on his journey, and offers spiritual advice such as the importance of living in the present moment. He also shares personal stories and insights, such as his recent life-changing experience as a Buddhist monk in Thailand as well as reflections about his family and his wife Rita who he has rarely talked about in the media. It is a thought-provoking and intimate sit down about life, spirit and enlightenment between two of today's most inspiring personalities.
Here is an exclusive excerpt from the never-seen-before interview as well as two video clips. The episode will premiere this Sunday, April 29th at 11am ET/10am CT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (if you are not sure where to find OWN, use the channel finder ).
Oprah: OK. I just want you to finish these sentences. Life is...
Deepak: A field of infinite possibilities and an opportunity to evolve in the direction of truthfulness beauty and harmony.
Oprah: The world needs...
Deepak: More compassion and love.
Oprah: I believe in...
Deepak: the divinity of all life.
Oprah: Love is...
Deepak: the ultimate truth of the heart of creation. It's not a sentiment or an emotion. It's the fact that we're all the same being in different disguises.
Oprah: Modern medicine must....
Deepak: Learn to look at the soul and not just body.
Oprah: I want to thank...
Deepak: I want to thank all the people that have given me so much love without my even asking for it.
Oprah: The person I want to be most proud of me is...
Deepak: My children and my grandchildren and their grandchildren.
Oprah: I am ready to forgive...
Deepak: I have already forgiven.
Oprah: Great. I want my legacy to be....
Deepak: A passing breeze. A pattern of behavior of the universe that came and is now gone but the fragrance lingers.
Oprah: Whew-oh. That's really great. That's really great.
"Oprah and Deepak Chopra in India"
(Photo Credit: © 2012 Harpo Inc./GeorgeBurns)
Watch two exclusive video clips:
When Oprah and her crew arrived in India, spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra gave them one piece of advice: Go with the flow. Hear why Deepak says learning to move with the flow of life wherever you are is key to appreciating every moment.
When his career first began, spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra had his fair share of critics--and he says he didn't always handle them well. Then, he says, a quote from Nelson Mandela changed his approach forever. Watch as he shares the insight he took to heart.
Oprah's "Super Soul Sunday" interview with Deepak Chopra airs Sunday, April 29, at 11/10c on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Marianne Schnall is a widely published writer and interviewer whose writings and interviews have appeared in a variety of media outlets. She is also the co-founder and executive director of the women's website and non-profit organization Feminist.com, as well as the co-founder of the environmental site EcoMall.com. Her new book, based on her interviews with a variety of well-known women, is titled Daring to Be Ourselves: Influential Women Share Insights on Courage, Happiness and Finding Your Own Voice.