Who Can I Trust? A Practical Guide (Modern Spirituality Book 3)

Christians rely heavily on the Bible and revelation and institutions and tradition, and proudly speak about showing deference to previous thinkers and experts and saints, rather than just believing whatever greedy invention you want. Boy are they proud of that. Life comes from doing a mix of what you want at the moment, what you aspire to, what others want you to do, what transcendent forces guide you to, and more.

So Christians miss out who focus only on what they read into the Bible and tradition, and not on what the God within is telling them. So I reject humanism and canonical Christianity. Dec 23, Sheryl Sorrentino rated it really liked it. In a word, The Future of God is a beautiful book. As Deepak points out, to accept that a universe as complex as ours haphazardly came to be absent a deeper intelligence is like believing that the six million parts of a Boeing whooshed together from the wreckage of a tornado.

Deepak divides our Universe into three parts: Naturally, we cannot see or perceive the latter two, but this does not mean they do not exist. Rather, if we are open, if we connect with our deeper consciousness, the subtle and transcendent worlds offer hints of their existence. These are perhaps mundane moral issues we each face all the time. I gave this book four stars because, as many other reviewers have pointed out, Deepak spends way too much time refuting the claims of Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion.

I daresay, Deepak probably did more to promote The God Delusion through his outspoken indignity, when The Future of God can and should stand all on its own. He, too, is a mere mortal on whatever path he is on. Nonetheless, he deserves credit for tackling a topic of universal and enduring importance in an uplifting way we ordinary, non-religious folk can appreciate. On the whole, The Future of God gave me a greater feeling of connection to a higher consciousness I have little doubt exists. It left me more at peace and more in awe than ever at the sheer wonder of it all.

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Kudos to Deepak for a timely, comforting, and quite respectable reaffirmation of the inevitability of God in these divisive times. Dec 04, Karl rated it it was amazing. No delusions, just an open mind. The transition from stage to stage is not a clear cut, well-defined process, rather it is a gradual progression and it is bi-directional, in that while progress can be made, there will also be times when we can also digress. Woven into the three stages are: For those who do not wish to open their eyes, the world will always be dark.

Feb 18, Charles rated it did not like it. As a primer on the human wisdom that can be gained from Eastern religion and philosophy, this would be nearly a two star book. As a book on God, one star is far too generous. Here are a few of the book's problems not even close to a comprehensive list: Denial of the reality of evil and the claim that resisting evil is participation in evil. The claim that Christian faith, particularly in the resurrection, is blind. Making Christianity particularly penal substitutionar As a primer on the human wisdom that can be gained from Eastern religion and philosophy, this would be nearly a two star book.

Making Christianity particularly penal substitutionary atonement the least "evolved" of all ideas of God. It's a train wreck from beginning to end. No wonder Oprah loves this guy. Nov 19, Sarah Walsh rated it liked it. Misplacing this book, I said to a person, do you know where 'The Future of God' is? She mistook this as a defensive take on one of life's big questions, explaining numbers of youth attending church are up. I guess she has her God as a witness to that one.

While I refuse to jump on or stand militant by any person, and honestly accept my opinion as a far less learned offering, that's to say, I know very little sometimes I'm stupid proving that in this review. However, the hostility and arrogance from whoever no matter the message is off-putting. Robust, rational debate is required but I think when any person demeaned on purpose, it comes at cost especially to those of us once skeptic, who've surfaced from suffering, rejected the material world opting for creativity, diet change, meditation, living better and operating from the heart therefore discovering some of Chopra's woo.

There's great value in quashing aspects of religion we know are batty. Dec 16, Karin rated it did not like it. Having returned my membership to the Pope many years ago it turns out Mr. Chopra doesn't go to church either,interesting. As it becomes clear early on,this is not so much about the future of God,as it is about the present of Richard Dawkins: Chopra does not like him imagine a lightbulb here. Chopra is so PO'd? I think I'll just watch Charlie Brown and have a cup of good cheer! Jan 20, Dorothy Fischer added it. A quote from the book, "You are finding your center whenever you Refuse to turn against others for ideological reason I thought this would be a good book, no stars, bad book.

Dec 19, Joyce Lewis rated it really liked it. I think this is a timely view of faith, belief, or whatever term you choose to give it. Traditional Christian religion continues to decline something else is surely needed. Jan 02, Vanessa added it. I would rather read the quotes, stats and facts without all of the finger pointing. Aug 24, Jean-Michel Desire rated it really liked it Shelves: I actually read this book twice successively before writing this review. This has never happened before and I am truly glad I did. This is an incredible piece of work where Deepak has taken the time to truly do an in-depth analysis of the human state versus the existence of God.

The only thing that prevented me from scoring a complete success is the extent that atheists occupied in the writings. While everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and I truly fully understand why Deepak spent the t I actually read this book twice successively before writing this review. Nov 07, Danielle rated it liked it. This was my first Chopra read, and I liked it pretty well.

His vehement rejection of and response to militant atheism was interesting. I appreciate his appreciation for the importance of spirituality in our time and rejections of the materialist stance that all can be known via rationalism. When dealing with alternatives to the prevailing materialist world view, he can, at times, be a bit opaque, but that seems hard to avoid when dealing with the ineffable.

Overall, I found some good take-aways This was my first Chopra read, and I liked it pretty well. Overall, I found some good take-aways and approaches I find compelling.

1. The Secret

Jan 29, Kim H. The Future of God by Deepak Chopra is the voice bridging the gap for all seekers who find themselves wandering in the wilderness between the camps of raging atheism on the one hand and empty religion on the other hand--both of which fail to address the nagging sense that something of significance is missing from life. Chopra spends ample time in the opening two-thirds of the book laying out the arguments made by modern day atheism and science regarding their belief that there can be no God.

He al The Future of God by Deepak Chopra is the voice bridging the gap for all seekers who find themselves wandering in the wilderness between the camps of raging atheism on the one hand and empty religion on the other hand--both of which fail to address the nagging sense that something of significance is missing from life. He also lays open the arguments made by religion that leave educated seekers feeling that something is missing in the dogma of the faith system in which they were raised.

I can identify with both of these plights! I also personally experienced the pitfalls and short comings of Christianity's theological dogmas and practices. When I saw the many ways in which the church seemed to miss on connecting to the divine, I could no longer remain a part of it. At the same time, I was being barraged constantly by questions and arguments from both genuine seekers and atheists with their own agenda.

These encounters left me an odd mix of excited, exhausted, questioning my own faith, and angry. Thus the first two-thirds of The Future of God felt a bit slow to me, because I found my own personal issues and struggles being resurrected. It felt as though weights were attached to my feet, with more weight being added and the terrain growing muddier as I read.

This was not necessarily a bad thing, however. Because of the journey I had taken through the beginning of the book, I found myself thinking, "Yes. And what if death is simply waking up? I have long harbored the belief that God is much bigger and beyond what any one religious system can capture. Chopra's says that the universal truth of God is that God cannot be put refuses to stay put! To this, something within me shouts "YES! I will recommend this book to those who struggle with questions posed to them by skeptics, atheists, science, and followers of blind faith.

Chopra has some answers.

Editorial Reviews

He restores faith and in doing so, provides hope. Can God be revived in a skeptical age? What would it take to give people a spiritual life more powerful than anything in the past? Deepak Chopra tackles these issues with eloquence and insight in this book. He proposes that God lies at the source of human awareness. Therefore, any person can find the God within that transforms everyday life. God is in trouble. The rise of the militant atheist movement spearheaded by Richard Dawkins signifies, to many, that the deity is an outmoded myth in the modern world.

Deepak Chopra passionately disagrees, seeing the present moment as the perfect time for making spirituality what it really should be: Outlining a path to God that turns unbelief into the first step of awakening, Deepak shows us that a crisis of faith is like the fire we must pass through on the way to power, truth, and love. Many of us have lost that passion or have never known it.

God is the higher consciousness that responds to the cry. It makes God possible. With The Future of God, he invites us on a journey of the spirit, providing a practical path to understanding God and our own place in the universe. Now, is a moment of reinvigoration, he argues. Now is moment of renewal. Now is the future.

The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times by Deepak Chopra

Chopra is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, adjunct professor at the Kellogg School of Management, and a senior scientist with the Gallup Organization. He is founder and president of the Alliance for a New Humanity. Aug 18, Robert Narojek rated it really liked it. As always with Chopra: It was great reading on the possibility of faith and God in the XXI century. It shows clearly that militant atheism is fighting religion man made system of bieliefs , but faith is something completely different - it comes directly from your openness to Being and experiencing Wholeness with the world Universe.

It is good reading for anyone searching their path to spirituality in the world today. An academic book that teaches how to remove the veils of ignorance and makes you easily and logically drop all the old convictions baggage and beliefs of how God was known. May 26, Ester rated it really liked it. The 4 stars-rating does not indicate that I agree with all of Chopra's views, but that I found them thought-provoking and worth revisiting.

This certainly is a very much thought provoking book. I wish the author had not spend so much of the content trying to single out Richard Dawkins, and his teachings. It felt like too personal an attack. But the message of the book is clear, and makes you think twice about your own faith, and the God in that context.

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The universe is God made manifest. Apr 08, Jacob Petrossian rated it really liked it. Quite a cool approach to the everlasting question of what 'God' is. I do not, however, enjoy the occasional mudslinging that I have come across quite often in Chopra's books. But all in all, this was a really cool read. Apr 07, Anna N.

I've been hearing about Deepak Chopra for many years apparently Oprah loves him , but have never read anything by him. I was very impressed. I thought the book might be kind of new-agey and WooWoo, but he was entirely scientific. I highly recommend this book. Sep 06, Rafael Suleiman rated it really liked it. A good philosophical book on the future of religion. Mar 23, Ash rated it liked it. The underlying message is powerful and great! Dec 28, Ingrid Verschelling rated it it was amazing Shelves: Ik was benieuwd of Deepak Chopra dezelfde mening is toegedaan als ik, nadat ik de boeken van Michael Newton gelezen had.

Ik was dus zeer benieuwd naar dit boek. De kerken lopen al tijden leeg. Ook is er uit naam van godsdienst veel leed veroorzaakt. Als mens kun je je volgens Chopra in drie staten bevinden, die van ongeloof, geloof en van kennis. Het boek is ingedeeld in die drie stadia. If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? This is a book about realizing the highest spiritual experience by what seems like the almost to easy pracice of seeing God everywhere.

And the book is more than that. It conveys the joy of spiritual practice and experience. The swami stresses that religion must be lived rather than discussed. It is to be gained from day to day as a tangible experience of the Spirit. This edition is now out of print. Please see our alternate edition published in India, isbn: Read more Read less.

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See all customer images. Showing of 2 reviews. Chopra lays down 7 laws found in nature used to create spiritual success. These laws include karma cause and effect and dharma purpose in life. His book details the attributes that Peck feels make a fulfilled human being. Split into three sections, his book talks about discipline as a means for spiritual evolution , love as a force for spiritual growth and grace. Though this book remains popular, some may find the psychological ideas of the book to be somewhat dated.

Jonathan is a symbol to all those who refuse to conform for the sake of conforming, instead teaching love, forgiveness, and how to reach your true potential. After a bitter divorce, author Elizabeth Gilbert took a year off to travel. She visited Italy, where she ate copious amounts of good food. She went to India to learn about spirituality.

And finally, ended her journey in Bali, where she was able to discover a balance between the two: Even after his death, Morrie has continued to touch people as he relates his ideas of love both accepting love and giving love , shunning popular celeb culture in favor of more nurturing values and non-attachment.