The Problem With Gurus: When Spiritual Authority Meets Moral Blindness

Deepak Chopra is one of the most recognisable figures in modern spirituality — an author of more than 90 books, a long-time advocate of meditation and holistic health, and a man who helped bring Eastern practices into Western mainstream culture. 

His work has influenced millions, generated vast wealth, and shaped how people think about wellbeing.

So what happens when someone like that appears — repeatedly — in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files?

The following are direct quotes attributed to Chopra in those emails:

·      “God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”

·      “I enjoy the company of younger intellectually sharp and self aware women and love to engage with them to inspire and stimulate them.”

·      “Anything we share is between us. I share nothing with anyone but trust you.”

·      “Come to Israel with us. Relax and have fun with interesting people. If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls.”

Their last email exchange came just three months before Epstein’s 2019 arrest on charges that he’d engaged in a conspiracy to exploit, sexually abuse and traffic women and underage girls.
The messages themselves don’t prove wrongdoing on Chopra’s part.
Chopra posting on “X”  acknowledged the communications with Epstein, writing that they “reflect poor judgment … given what was publicly known at the time.” 
“I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity,” Chopra said.

That’s ok then. 

What do you do when someone promoting  health wellness and spirituality is linked to something like this?

 Over the years, various tv presenters, politicians, actors and writers, royals  have been revealed  as systemic child molesters or convicted of other predatory behaviour, 
Now with the Epstein files more and more famous powerful privileged people are being exposed, not just by wacky conspiracy theorists, but by Epstein’s own records. 
He kept photographs, videos  and messages, to extort favours. 

I wasn’t particularly  into Chopra’s material, but after being on Oprah he was largely responsible for spreading (his versions) of meditation, yoga and alternative health, a lot of people have followed his work, trusted him. 
It’s heartbreaking to think of people that are associated with trying to change the world for the better, turning out to be evil disgusting monsters, or at least close friends with them. 
And he wouldn’t be the first guru or leader to take advantage of their power. 

Obviously  for most of us, even contemplating the scale of the abuse and corruption is unfathomable. How can people behave like this towards the most vulnerable in society and get away with it? 
When you’re a kid, you should just be scared of fairytales, monsters under the bed, but fairy tales were always warning you of the real danger. 

I’m not scared of monsters, evil spirits, ghosts or demons. It’s the living you need to watch out for. 

They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but I’m not sure..
I think these abhorrent predators were already like this.
Money and power just amplify their twisted personalities.
Epstein’s Machiavellian web, inviting people into his cabal, royals, politicians, blackmailing them to owe him favours, Low level nonces get locked up and killed in prison 
Those in power seem to just get away with it. 

I don’t want to end on such a negative view of the world, because these despicable parasites are the minority, most of us care for each other and can improve the world together. What we need is more positive, kind people to become rich and successful and help others. Not hide from the monsters. 

How can we stay positive with the seemingly unstoppable evil in the world?
Modern Gestapos, holocausts and cabals ..

If you are highly empathetic and are sensitive to what’s going on,  but feel hopeless.. 
The news can be too hard to hear, triggering for people that have been abused. 
If it is getting too much, – you want to know what’s going on in the world, but at the same time it’s sickening. You don’t have to be blind to reality, but you do need a way to get through it.

Take time to look after yourself, even if it seems like just a distraction, walk in nature, listen to music, watch comedy.. Create art..
Breathe deeply and remember the beautiful positive things in your life and the world. 

If you care, help change the world for the better, start with yourself, the way you talk to yourself, the way you show up, and if you can, help your family, neighbours, your community, charities, and if you’re already successful and have influence…

Use it to pull others up after you. 
Be a positive force in the world. 

The world needs more people like you.