Seduction of Spirit at The Chopra Center This Week!

New in 2012!
This year we have carefully selected a special theme for each of our three Seduction of Spirit retreats. The three themes are Music and Meditation, Pathway to Happiness, and Discover Your Purpose.

Every Seduction of Spirit includes the core elements of meditation, yoga, sutra instruction by Deepak, and other practices for inner calm and expanded awareness. In addition, each individual retreat will feature new experiences, individual and group activities, guest experts, and life-transforming tools and techniques related to the retreat’s guiding theme.

Seduction of Spirit is a rare opportunity to step away from the constant demands on our attention – the emails, text messages, phone calls, meetings, errands, and conferences – and dive into the stillness and silence that flows beneath life’s chaotic surface.

This beautiful retreat is about slowing down and tuning into the peace of present moment awareness. Through the practice of Primordial Sound Meditation, Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, and other timeless tools, you will begin to:

Deepen your meditation practice
Reconnect with your deepest dreams and desires
Move beyond limiting conditioned beliefs
Tap into your hidden inner reserves and potential
Appreciate the gifts of your life as it unfolds
Let go of the struggle and achieve more by doing less
Experience the mind-body harmony of yoga
Release the stress and obstacles to balanced living
In a supportive group of like-minded individuals, Deepak Chopra and other Chopra Center master educators will guide you in Primordial Sound Meditation, Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, visualizations, creative activities, and discussions that will help you move from constriction to expansion, from fear to love, and from heaviness to happiness.

Seduction of Spirit is suitable for people of all faiths, and for both beginning and experienced meditators.

Who Will Benefit?
Seduction of Spirit is a profound experience that offers a lifetime of healing benefits to anyone seeking spiritual awakening, emotional wellbeing, and greater physical health and vitality. The many gifts of Primordial Sound Meditation and Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga include:

Higher states of consciousness
Greater levels of intuition and creativity
Increased flexibility and energy
Relief from stress and anxiety
Restful sleep and inner calm
Awakening to deeper purpose and fulfillment
Many participants return year after year to deepen their meditative bliss and connect with the friends they’ve made.

Summoning the Sacred this week at The Chopra Center!

Join us for our most intimate workshop with Deepak Chopra, created exclusively for Seduction of Spirit and/or SynchroDestiny graduates who want to open to new levels of spiritual wisdom. Limited to a small number of participants, this new experiential course will take your understanding of sacred spirituality beyond the level of the intellect.

Summoning the Sacred features special guest Dr. Jean Houston, a prolific author and renowned spiritual teacher who will guide you in an exploration of the science of archetypes and activating their powerful energy to guide and transform your life. This workshop sells out quickly, so we recommend that you register soon!

Each day you’ll also go deeper into the timeless spiritual philosophy of Vedanta, which is the foundation of many of the Chopra Center’s teachings. The teachings will be made personal through the lecture sessions as well as a combination of experiential activities that include advanced yogic practices and a unique experience of pranayama techniques to expand consciousness and the body's vital energy. Awaken the divine within you through a daily practice of Primordial Sound Meditation, Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, and sacred silence.

Playing at Seduction of Spirit in April~

www.rodellosmachine.com

Deepak on Dr. Oz!

Check out Deepak's latest visit to Dr. Oz here!



Don’t let stress make a mess of your balanced life. The greatest mind and body expert of our time, Deepak Chopra, shares his four simple secrets to stress less.

Stress-Less Starter Breakfast
This breakfast consists of one tablespoon of flaxseed oil, one hardboiled egg, and tomatoes and cucumbers drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Flaxseed and olive oil help slow the release of inflammatory hormones the body pumps out under stress. The omega 3 fatty acids in flaxseed and olive oil also provide anti-inflammatory effects on your joints and improve blood flow. EPA and DHA fatty acids present in omega-3s also maintain healthy levels of serotonin. Serotonin controls emotional response and creates a sense of well-being within the body. Take the flaxseed oil as you would cough syrup and enjoy this nutrient-rich breakfast.

Take a Stress-Less Supplement: Endorphinate
Endorphinate is used to support important functions in the body that promote a sense of calm, comfort and well-being. This stress-reducing supplement contains two B vitamins, folate and vitamin B12, which help prevent and relieve physical and emotional distress. Take two capsules in the morning and afternoon, for a total of 4 capsules. This supplement can be found online for $17.50.

Eat a Stress-Less Snack: Chyawanprash
This jam-like mixture of herbs, spices and other ingredients from the ancient ayurvedic healing tradition is widely used in India due to its extensive health benefits. The main ingredient in this snack is amla, a gooseberry that is very rich in vitamin C. Research shows vitamin C may help prevent the stress hormone cortisol from increasing after a stressful event. Chyawanprash can be eaten by itself or it can be spread on a cracker or piece of toast. This vitamin C-packed snack is available at health food stores for $10.

Try Stress-Less Breathing Exercise: Ujjayi
Breathing is fundamental for life, but because it is automatic, we tend to take it for granted. Ujjayi breathing is a technique created by ancient yogis to help clear and cleanse the body and mind. It is a diaphragmatic breath which first fills the lower belly, activating the lower rib cage and finally moves into the upper chest and throat. Inhalation and exhalation are both done through the nose. Practicing ujjayi breathing several times a day for a minute or two can have huge benefits.

Playing at Seduction of Spirit in April~

The Celtic Lovers






http://thecelticlovers.com/

Seduction of Spirit Comes this April!

Journey Into Healing Special Guest: Byron Katie!

This March 7–11 at the signature Journey into Healing workshop, Byron Katie will join Deepak Chopra and other renowned experts in exploring the power of the mind to heal the body and unleash our unlimited potential for authentic happiness and wellbeing.

March 7–11, 2012 | La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California
Guest speakers include Byron Katie, Dr. Valencia Porter, and Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar

For more information call me at 760-494-1657 or click here!

21 Day Meditation Link

Join us for our Winter 21 Day Guided Meditation Challenge here!

Deepak on Dr. Oz!

Deepak demonstrates simple techniques to eliminate stress and shares his new Law of Attraction button on the Dr. Oz website:


http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/eliminate-stress-deepak-chopra

Eliminate Stress with Deepak

- Techniques
1. Stop
2. Smile
3. Breathe
4. Put attention to your heart

- Law of Attraction

Higher Health by Deepak Chopra

One of the most exciting changes that could mean a breakthrough in health centers on the term mind-body medicine. Twenty years ago, the equation was definitely body-oriented. If it was conceded that the mind plays a part in health, doctors generally had disparaging things to say about psychosomatic illness and the placebo effect. Neither seemed like "real" medicine, and no medical school curriculum taught otherwise. It was a source of dismay, in fact, that alternative approaches even existed.

What was not realized, as the mind-body connection turned into hard science, is that the polarity needs to be reversed entirely. It is the mind that dominates the body, that acts as chooser, controller, and governor. Instead of being incidental, your state of awareness plays a huge part in how your cells function. We need to reinvent the body as a creation of consciousness - that step, which was taken thousands of years ago in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, would clarify so many mysteries surrounding faith healing, energy work, acupuncture, Qi Gong, and spontaneous remissions of intractable disorders like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

So far, the breakthrough hasn't occurred, not on a completely reliable basis, secure enough so that using the mind as healer becomes more predictable and efficacious than drugs and surgery. The reason that we don't have mind-based therapies at every hospital are complicated. Rather than go into them, let's ask the most salient question. What can you and I do to promote wellness based, first and foremost, on consciousness?

To answer that question, you need specific goals, as with any long-range project.
Goal #1: Free yourself from the past.
Goal #2: Address bad habits and addictions.
Goal #3: Find the core of the self.
Goal #4: Maintain a program for personal growth and evolution.
Goal #5: Become aware of how your environment - at work, at home, in your closest relationships - mirrors who you are inside.

I've tried to state these goals as objectively as possible, without leaning toward one method or another. There are countless techniques available in the American supermarket of medical and health advice. But the reason that people come away frustrated and confused is that the specifics of what they are doing today - going to yoga class, drinking wheat grass juice, reading Buddhist sermons - becomes haphazard without an overall vision. These five goals give you the bare outline of a vision, which you can fill in by turning each into a question:

1. What am I doing to free myself from my past?
2. Am I honestly confronting my bad habits and addictive tendencies?
3. Do I make choices from a secure center, knowing who I really am?
4. Do I have confidence that I am evolving and will continue to evolve?
5. Looking around, how does my world, including everyone I relate to, reflect what's going on inside?

These should be approached as medical questions, because even if you aren't asking them - especially if you aren't asking them - your body is eavesdropping all the time. There are three levels of reflection that give feedback to you: your thoughts, your physical condition, and the external world. They are linked and fused, which is what makes holism possible. If you could ignore your thoughts, your body, or your circumstances, letting one or two go while concentrating only on what's left, holistic medicine, or holistic living, would be a delusion. Consciousness isn't compartmentalized; it is whole. Your self is the hub from which everything emanates. All experience, physical, mental, and spiritual, occur in consciousness.

I think we've outlined a good beginning for switching the mind-body polarity. (Readers who wish to approach these issues in depth may want to look at my book, Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul.) We are immersed in a materialistic worldview, and although skepticism has been quieted somewhat by the flood of research confirming the mind-body connection, there will be resistance to seeing consciousness as central to well-being. But even if you decide to put your faith entirely in mainstream medicine and its focus on drugs and surgery - a choice that fewer informed people make nowadays - there is no doubt that positive lifestyle changes are unassailable for preventing more and more illnesses. You can't make such changes without confronting most if not all the goals I've outlined. They are key if you want to send the best messages from mind to body.

Since you are sending such messages constantly, why shouldn't they be the best?

Remembering David Simon

Mind-Body Healing Pioneer, Best-Selling Author, and Chopra Center Co-founder Dr. David Simon Passes Away
Known for his pioneering work in the field of mind-body medicine, David Simon, M.D. played a key role in bringing the healing practices of meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda into the mainstream medical world and to countless people throughout the globe.

Dr. David Simon, Chopra Center Co-Founder

"David has touched my heart, influenced the way I think, and expanded my spirit," said Deepak Chopra. Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012

Chopra Center co-founder David Simon, M.D. passed away at home on January 31, 2012, surrounded by his family. The Chopra Center staff and friends throughout the world expressed their sorrow at the news, responding with an outpouring of love on a special website Remembering David, created for the community to share their stories and celebrate the life of a man who touched so many lives.

Deepak Chopra, a longtime medical colleague and friend who co-founded the Chopra Center for Wellbeing with David Simon in 1996 said, “David has been my friend, partner, teacher, trusted colleague, and younger brother for more than twenty years. He has touched my heart, influenced the way I think, and expanded my spirit. David approached life from a place of pure potentiality and unlimited possibilities. His wisdom, courage, and love will continue to inspire all of us for decades to come.”

A Legacy of Healing
As a board-certified neurologist and expert in Ayurveda and other traditional healing systems, David Simon brought a unique perspective to the relationship between the mind, body, emotions, and health. As a young medical student, he was disillusioned by a medical paradigm that viewed the body as a physical “machine” and generally rejected the connection between the mind and the body. David began to study the ancient wisdom traditions of India, Tibet, and China, encouraged by the way in which they combined the concept of body, mind, and spirit into a definition of a health as something more than just the absence of disease, but as a state of well-being and vitality.

David’s first exposure to an Ayurvedic physician was to have a profound impact on his personal life and career. In his book :The Wisdom of Healing," David describes meeting this gentle vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), whose kind-hearted, open nature seemed to inspire the trust of his patients, who were then able to share their deepest concerns and get the most benefit from their visit.

David was struck by how the vaidya’s own presence seemed to be the most powerful aspect of his therapy. “More than an expert on health, he seemed to be a living representative of a healthy person, balanced in body, mind, and spirit. In this man, I saw the possibility that a physician could be more than a technical master of pathology – a doctor could guide his patients to health through his actions, words, and being.”

Developing the Chopra Center
Deeply drawn to the wisdom of Ayurveda, David ultimately became a recognized expert in this 5,000-year-old healing system, including its sister science, yoga. Throughout his medical career, he focused on integrating the theory and practice of these ancient healing sciences with the newer developments of modern Western medicine. As a driving force behind the Chopra Center's flagship programs and workshops, David developed the signature Journey into Healing mind-body wellness workshop and directed and led many of the Chopra Center's other programs, including Perfect Health and Healing the Heart.

David Simon wrote many popular books on health and well-being, including his best-selling guide Free to Love, Free to Heal: Heal Your Body by Healing Your Emotions. His other popular books include The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Guidebook; Return to Wholeness: Embracing Body, Mind, and Spirit in the Face of Cancer; The Wisdom of Healing; Vital Energy; and The Ten Commitments: Translating Good Intentions into Great Choices.

Recognized as a leading authority in the effective and appropriate use of mind-body medicine practices, Dr. Simon's endeavors resulted in the training of thousands of physicians, nurses, and health care providers. One of the first recipients of a National Institutes of Health grant to study mind-body medical approaches to improving health care, David helped bring integrated mind-body medical programs to medical institutions, health centers, educational institutions, and health resorts throughout the world.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to support Glioblastoma Cancer Research at U.C. San Diego. Please visit the Remembering David website for the mailing address or to make an online donation.

About the Chopra Center for Wellbeing
The Chopra Center for Wellbeing was founded by Deepak Chopra, M.D. and David Simon, M.D. in 1996. Located in Carlsbad, California, the Center offers a wide variety of programs, retreats, and teacher training programs that integrate the healing arts of the East with the best in modern Western medicine. The Chopra Center has helped millions of people around the world find peace of mind, physical balance, and emotional healing. The website http://www.chopra.com is your starting point on the path to wellness.

Programs in 2012~

Programs in 2012~
Physical Healing
Perfect Health
Journey into Healing
Emotional Wellbeing
Healing the Heart
Balancing the Body
Spiritual Awakening
SynchroDestiny
A Weekend Within
Seduction of Spirit
Seduction of Silence
Summoning the Sacred
Silent Awakenings
Meditation Weekend

For more information go to www.chopra.com or call me direct at 760-494-1657

Inspiration!

2012 is a great start to look at things differently. I mean why not? Is what we've tried in the past working?

Deepak + Oprah in India!~

21 Day Meditation Link

So excited for our 21 Day Meditation Challenge this Spring. To register click here!

Silent Awakenings in September 2012~

Silent Awakenings
“In our dynamic, goal-oriented world, we don’t usually spend much time or attention cultivating silence, but it has been my experience that learning to surrender to this quality of awareness nurtures all aspects of life – including our environment, our body, our relationships, our creative expression, our heart, and soul.” ~David Simon



An Inward Journey Inspired by Dr. David Simon
featuring Deepak Chopra and Brent BecVar

September 4–8, 2012 | Asilomar, Monterey Bay, California


Silent Awakenings is a 5-day journey within inspired by the teachings and writing of Chopra Center co-founder David Simon. Held in the serene, beachfront lodge of Asilomar in Northern California’s beautiful Monterey Peninsula, this retreat is designed specifically for experienced meditators who want to spend an extended period in silence, deepening their meditation practice and awakening to the beauty and richness of their own internal life.

Led by Deepak Chopra, Brent BecVar, and Amanda Ringnalda, Silent Awakenings is unlike any event the Chopra Center has ever created. The silent community creates a supportive environment in which you can have the most deeply personal experience of your inner self and wisdom.

Away from the demands and noise of everyday life, your mind and body can quiet and settle into their own natural rhythms. We will guide you through group meditations, yoga sessions, walking meditations, and journaling. You will have abundant time to relax under the wide sky and listen to the rolling ocean waves. This is a unique opportunity to go beyond your usual practices into an extended experience of silence and contemplation that will help you be more present for your own life.

The entire retreat will be held in deep silence, with the exception of the time we will spend together each evening at a satsang led by Deepak. A satsang is a community gathering where people share wisdom on their spiritual journey.

Each day of the retreat will be dedicated to one of the themes presented in David Simon’s forthcoming book, The Five Awakenings. The five awakenings are silence, nature, love, healing, and dharma. The evening satsang will focus on the theme for the day



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FAQ
"Silence is the great teacher and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that come from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence." ~ Deepak Chopra

Who will benefit from this retreat?
Silent Awakenings is for committed Primordial Sound Meditation practitioners who want to take their meditation and spiritual awareness to a deeper level. A silent retreat isn’t suited for everyone, yet for those who are ready to take a deep inward journey, many gifts await.

Silent Awakenings is perfect for anyone who wants to:

• Experience a mindfulness retreat in a beautiful nature setting
• Step away from life’s demands and engage in deep reflection
• Engage in an extended experience of personal contemplation and rejuvenation
• Awaken to their essential spiritual nature
• Expand and deepen their meditation practice

What is a typical day like at Silent Awakenings?
Your day will follow a basic structure. The meditations will be led by Deepak and the Chopra Center’s master educators.

• Sunrise meditation
• Yoga (indoor and outdoor classes available)
• Breakfast
• Group meditation (indoors)
• Lunch
• Time to journal and take guided nature walks with Brent BecVar
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Dinner
• Satsang and meditation with Deepak

Are meals included?
• Yes, three delectable meals are included and served each day. The food is simple and fresh, with a delicious choice of dishes to support and enliven your body, mind, and spirit during your retreat. Daily menus highlight seasonal produce procured directly from local organic farmers. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available. Asilomar can accommodate some food allergies; please share any concerns with your Program Consultant.

What are the accommodations like at Asilomar?
• The accommodations are rustic and comfortable, perfect for anyone dedicated to rest and reflection. In keeping with this tradition, guest rooms are free of modern-day distractions such as telephones and televisions. For more information, please go to visitasilomar.com.

What happens during personal time?
• You will have time every day to be alone. You can exercise, journal, walk on the beach or do anything that is nurturing for your experience.

Who Can Attend?
Silent Awakenings is an advanced retreat, limited to 150 guests with the following prerequisites:

• Guests must have previously attended a Chopra Center event and received instruction in Primordial Sound Meditation, including their personal mantra.
• For at least six months prior to the event, participants need to have a practice of meditating twice a day, with one of daily meditations lasting a minimum of thirty minutes.
• At least one day a month for the three months prior to the event, guests need to honor a day of silence.
• Participants must agree to turn off mobile phones and computers during the entire event. In your welcome packet, you will receive an emergency contact number to give to friends and family in case they need to reach you during the retreat.
• Guests at Silent Awakenings need to practice and be familiar with the yoga Sun Salutation series.
• Before attending Silent Awakenings, we ask participants to review and become familiar with Brent BecVar’s informational video On Silence (available soon).





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Dates
September 4–8, 2012 | Asilomar Retreat Center, Monterey Bay, California


Check-in: Monday, September 3 – dinner included
Check-out: Sunday, September 9 – breakfast and lunch included





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Details | FAQ | Dates | Pricing | Staff and Guest Speakers | Enroll Now

Download program info | Download sample schedule
Request more info | 888.736.6895 | learn@chopra.com

Pricing
Silent Awakenings is an all-inclusive package that includes:

Six nights’ accommodations at Asilomar
Three freshly prepared meals Tuesday through Saturday (as well as dinner on Monday evening and breakfast and lunch on Sunday)
Enrollment
Check-in for the event is Monday, September 3. We highly encourage all guests to spend Saturday night at Asilomar to allow time to gently transition from your silent experience before you return home. The retreat officially ends on Saturday afternoon but we will have a meditation on Saturday evening and Sunday morning and your breakfast and lunch on Sunday are included in the all-inclusive package.

All-Inclusive Packages*

Single room: $2,775 Special Premiere Pricing! Expires Jan. 31.
Standard Price: $3,775

Double Occupancy: $2,575
Standard Price: $3,375

*Cancelation Policy: There is a $1,200 non-refundable fee for any cancelation or transfer of enrollment after July 1, 2012.

Extend your stay and enjoy beautiful Monterey!

We have arranged discounted rates at Asilomar for guests who want to come up three days early and/or stay a few days after the retreat to take advantage of the many sights and activities the Monterey Bay has to offer, including:

• The world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Scuba diving, hiking, and bay cruises
• Carmel’s fine restaurants and unique shops
• Championship golf courses like Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and the links at Spanish Bay
• Big Sur’s wild coast
• Pacific Grove’s Monarch butterfly migration point
• Beautiful redwood groves
• John Steinbeck’s original home and Cannery Road

Oprah to Visit India with Deepak Chopra

Oprah Winfrey is heading to India, reported NDTV.com Jan. 2. The news site quoted Winfrey’s Twitter post, “Yes! I am coming to India next month for 1st time as part of Next Chapter,” announcing the talk show queen’s first-ever visit to the country.

The trip is expected to include work as well as fun, as Winfrey added that she will shoot a part of her much anticipated new series, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” in India. The show finds her traveling the world to interview interesting personalities.

According to a press release, Winfrey will be travelling with doctor-turned-spiritual guru Deepak Chopra. “I fire-walked with Tony Robbins — never pictured myself doing that! I celebrated the power of God and community with Joel Osteen and I’m planning a trip with Deepak Chopra to India where I’ve never been,” reported NDTV.com.

Deepak's segment on CBS This Morning with Charlie Rose, Gayle King, and Erica Hill:

TOPIC: DIGITAL ADDICTION MAY DAMAGE YOUR BRAIN STUDY:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57358519/digital-addiction-may-damage-your-brain-study/?tag=morningFlexGridLeft;flexGridModule

YouTube spends $100 million to redefine TV

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-01-11/youtube-channels/52501780/1


Engaging the couch potato
The first wave of YouTube channels employs well-known names such as Deepak Chopra (producing a series of shows on spirituality and health) and CSI creator Anthony Zuiker (dishing up horror shorts with a Twilight Zone feel), and other areas built around globally hot topics such as soccer and education.

The Chopra Foundation Announces Recipients of 2012 Rustum Roy Spirit Award

http://www.prweb.com/releases/chopra-foundation/deepak-chopra/prweb9091778.htm