The Path to Love by Deepak Chopra - Book Report/Review Example

The Path to Love and Holistic Healing October 10, Summary of the Book The concept of holistic health is one that is not only based on physical attributes of remaining healthy but also links directly to the spirit and mind of an individual. In Deepak Chopra’s book, The Path to Love, there is an understanding of how different concepts in the mind and body links directly to one’s healthy and well – being. The ideas that one has about love toward another person as well as the spirituality in their life ultimately leads to holistic living and health. The focus of this book is not only on general health and how love relates to this, but also is built by creating healthy relationships with others and understanding passion, love and ecstasy as a part of love for overall well – being. The main theme that is pointed out by Chopra is that love in a relationship or toward another person creates healing of the individual. When one feels loved and is able to love in a specific manner, then the mind and the body respond in a positive manner. The concept of holistic health then becomes based on the ideologies of love and how they are incorporated into one’s way of thinking of themselves and others. The path to love that Chopra speaks about is one that includes not only relationships with other individuals, but also is one which is reflected in how an individual thinks about them and what they believe about love. The confidence of one believing in love, mind sets and psychology behind this concept and building healthy relationships becomes reflected in specific behaviors. The belief of loving and being loved then creates the physical well – being and mindset of an individual. More important, Chopra states that the restoration of the individual into their true self is one that is dependent on the spirit, which is made of pure love. The concept of the love story that Chopra points out is one in which the mind, body and the spirit are in sync with the idea of pure love. As the spirit can find the pure love in which they are made of, they are able to move into the mind of believing that they are loved and should be loved. More important, this reflects in the overall health and well – being of an individual and what they believe should be a part of their well – being. Chopra states “Not many people find the spiritual goal of life. The aching need created by lack of love can only be fulfilled by learning anew to love and to be loved. All of us must discover for ourselves that love is a force as real as gravity – it is intended as our natural state” (Chopra, 3). This main concept then leads into the overall well – being of the individual and the goal of attaining love for healing, safety, power and to become closer to God. The concept that Chopra continues with is based on the journey of finding love. Chopra relates this to a relationship in which one has and how the two individuals go through several stages to discover the depths of love that exist. The first stages of romance, the understanding of the other individual and the ability to reach a state of ecstasy are all a part of this. The romance that is initiated and which comes in the physical forms, such as through love and marriage, is one that also is reflected in mind and spirit. The concept leads into surrendering of the ego, nurturing, surrendering and transforming to find new emotions of love. Chopra points out that this is one that is internal and comes in several forms, either through phases of a relationship or by understanding the path and connection to God. Each of these paths then allows one to reach their own ecstasy and to understand levels of fulfillment based on the concept of love. Chopra combines these main points with practice which one can use to further connect to something which they love, connect to or which defines love for one’s self. By doing this, one is able to embark on a spiritual journal that leads to holistic health and the ability to understand the spirit in a different manner. Recommendation of this Book The concepts that Chopra applies are recommended because of the different approach to love and romance that is taken. In most cultures, and specifically in Western society, love is looked at as an external and physical process. To fall in love, one goes to dating sites, out with men or women and practices the idea of love. However, the true and inner connection of love is one that is often ignored. The holistic method which Chopra introduces shows that the concept of love is something that has to come from within first, and then is reflected either in romance or in one understanding the concept of the beloved. Introducing this as a holistic concept which connects us to our inner soul then creates a new vision and understanding of love. Chopra states “In spiritual terms, to be love is only natural. It is our departure from love that is unnatural” (11). When an individual understands this, as opposed to the disconnected attitudes of personal nature and romantic relationships, a holistic attitude can be created toward how one functions. The recommendation of focusing on the self, love and relationships in a different way is furthered by the different concepts that Chopra applies at various levels. The concepts that he refers to aren’t based only on his philosophy or experience of love. Instead, he refers to ancient mythology, Vedic literature and other philosophers who have stated the same thing. Stories and concepts of society are intertwined with the message. More important, there are other concepts which are derived from this, such as scriptures in each type of culture that show that love is more than a physical idea. Instead, it is a manifestation of spirit and a path that overcomes other concepts. The concept of creating a reality out of love and other concepts then provides different stories and concepts which offer a new reality for those that want to experience love at a different level. The applications of love in this book are furthered through the practical implications that Chopra provides. Instead of only talking philosophically or through the beliefs that are seen in various scripture, Chopra initiates a different understanding of how to practice love. Practical solutions and methods are given at the end of each chapter so one can incorporate love on every level. The concept of love allows one to create a different reality and to begin to practice the spiritual idea of love. Instead of keeping the practice as a philosophy of the mind, Chopra gives every day situations that can offer the ability to practice love in the spiritual form. The strength of this comes from the ability to take the spiritual concepts provided and to turn it into a holistic concept, which is practiced with physical activities and through processing of the mind. The loving practices that Chopra combines are designed to accomplish the goal of understanding the spirit in this pure form. Through these, Chopra is able to prove that love can exist at any level (17). The one concept of this book which readers would need to find is based on the ability to believe and understand what Chopra is saying. The main concepts which Chopra applies come first from the idea of the spirit and from Vedic scripture. The stories come from other cultural applications; however, these are limited to the main concept which Chopra applies. For one to work into this book there is the need to first have an open understanding of what Chopra is saying and trying to initiate. This has to be furthered by one building into the loving practices and seeing the physical and mental results that occur from Chopra’s book. Initializing different concepts can then provide one with the ability to practice the book and to heal. However, one has to be willing to expand the concept of love and to look at these ideologies in a different manner based on understanding the holistic side of love of the spirit. Conclusion The main concepts that Chopra initiates through his book The Path to Love, are designed to provide spiritual guidance to those who want to understand a different reality to love. Most specifically, Chopra creates an understanding of what the definition of love is from a spiritual viewpoint, as well as how one can apply this spiritually, mentally and physically. The overall concepts that Chopra uses provides a diverse understanding of what love means and what the reality and nature of this is, not only from the society and cultural values placed on it, but also by one that is ancient and comes from the part understanding of love, the divine and of God. Through the basic understanding and the new approach to practical applications, Chopra is able to guide individuals into finding their true spirit and the nature of love. Works Cited Chopra, Deepak. The Path to Love: Spiritual Strategies for Healing. New York: Coleman Books, 1995. Read More