Deepak Chopra says being vulnerable will help us achieve a sense of security during times of crisis
New York Times bestselling author, Deepak Chopra shares survival tips and insight for resetting your mindset during times crisis. Chopra says the one phrase we should all hold onto as we look ahead is 'love in action.' He believes the moment we shift our attention from ourselves to someone else, with love, and ask the question how can we offer help, we'll feel better instantly.
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
- Hi, I'm Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Verizon Media. The man on your screen next to me needs no introduction. But I'll give it my best shot. He's a "New York Times" bestselling author, a role model for some, and an icon to others. Like my first name is Guru, some also consider him a spiritual guru. So please welcome my good friend, Deepak Chopra.
It's a difficult time for so many people, as you know, those who have lost jobs, lost loved ones, have work that takes them outside of the safety of their homes. And in the toughest times, what is the one thing you tell them to get through?
DEEPAK CHOPRA: There are certain rules that people have observed throughout the ages in any situation like this. And there are questions you can ask. What am I observing? Well, what are we observing is a worldwide pandemic and a worldwide panic.
What do I need? I need a sense of security. How do I fulfill that need? Being vulnerable and making a request with friends and family-- help me feel safe. And how can I help you feel safe?
We can also help. So if you are in a position to financially help, then help. There is all kinds of help we can give each other-- emotional help, resources, creativity, or just being there to listen to each other.
GURU GOWRAPPAN: That's very profound. Thank you, Deepak, for that. Would you share three steps we can all take to reset our mindset?
DEEPAK CHOPRA: Yeah, three steps would be very simple. Close your eyes. Feel your body. If you're agitated right now, your body will show distress, tightness. If you're relaxed, everything will be relaxed in your body.
Now, we notice that the breath, and the body, and the mind mirror each other. But by changing one of them, we can change all the others. So if you just observe your breath and breathe through your belly, your mind will settle down, and the sensations your body will also settle down.
Or if you just observe the sensations without judgment, and then as you observe it, slow it down. Just press the pause button. And you'll feel better instantly.
GURU GOWRAPPAN: As the word eases restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic, as people re-enter offices or schools, what advice would you give them to lower their stress and anxiety? I mean, how they start preparing and coming back, is there a shortcut or a quick fix to feeling our best when you put all of this together?
DEEPAK CHOPRA: Yes, the shortcut is be here now. Right now, be here. The point of arrival is always now. So if you can be totally present to present moment experience, it's a shortcut.
GURU GOWRAPPAN: Which is the one word that we should all hold on to now as we look ahead in the days, weeks, and months to come and how this whole thing's transition?
DEEPAK CHOPRA: Love in action, period. If I can express my love in action by doing something for someone, I'll feel better. You know, every time if you don't feel better, ask yourself, who am I thinking about? It'll be about you. The moment you shift your attention to somebody else with love and say, how can I help, you feel better instantly. So love in action is the one phrase.
GURU GOWRAPPAN: And with that, Deepak, love in action, I will take this dearly. And every time I feel like I talk to you or I follow you on your livestreams you do, it definitely makes my day and gives me so much strength going into facing so many things we are going through and eases our way to it. So thank you so much.
DEEPAK CHOPRA: Thank you, Guru, for giving me this opportunity. And we are sharing this with a lot of people. Hopefully, they're finding some intimacy and some strength.
