It's an immense undertaking to explain. But in 300 pages, Deepak Chopra guides us through with simplicity and skill and with a deep sense of empathy. He also avoids the rarefied academic tone which a work such as this could fall prey to. How to Know God is both accessible and easily absorbed. It's about the God within ourselves and the God we perceive around us; it's about how we can reach our God and effect positive change. No less an authority than the Dalai Lama commented, "I absolutely agree with Dr. Chopra's view that if we want to change the world we have to begin by changing ourselves". --Lucas LoBlack

One of the things that this book is not, is a book about religion. That may seem strange for a book about knowing God, but it does permit a more holistic look at the question than the context of a single religion sometimes offers. In a very free-ranging discussion, Dr. Chopra cites examples from all major religions as well as those who report paranormal experiences (whether contacts with angels by ordinary people, mind-reading, or psychic healing).

From these straws in the wind as examples, he constructs a hierarchy of contact to God that is similar to one that Maslow espoused for the human hierarchy of needs. Dr. Chopra's main point is that our psychological development is tied to our spiritual development, which limits or opens us to new ways to perceive God. He neither condemns nor exalts one state greatly over another, although he does put them on a continuum (beginning with God as protector and moving to God as what "I am"). He ties this percpetual ability to make contact in terms of the physical world, the quantum domain (the area where spirit and the material world meet), and the virtual domain (the area of pure spirit).

The work is an original and interesting application of thinking from a variety of fields to find what appear to be their common elements. Whether he is right or not is basically a matter of personal perception and faith.

Most of us could use a novel context for having a good spiritual conversation with a trusted religious or spiritual adviser. How to Know God? would make a great book for such a conversation. Whether you agree with it or not, you are probably going to find yourself opened to the possibility of appreciating God's presence in some ways that you did not appreciate before. That's a very worthwhile accomplishment when it happens, and my perception that it is likely is one reason why I gave the book a five star rating. The other reason is simply that the book resonated with me at a very profound level, which left me with a sense of deep peace. I cannot predict what you reaction will be.

Anyone who wants a tightly woven book about religion, or a logical argument for this point of view, would do well to go elsewhere. This book simply doesn't explore that part of the potential domain about knowing God.

Good luck in transcending whatever limitations you are experiencing now in knowing God!


Good if you are a believer   October 19, 2002
 30 out of 35 found this review helpful

Deepak Chopra has a very good insight into the psychological aspect of God and the responses the brain gives depending on the type of God you beleive in. This book can show you how you treat life and what you can do to get the most out of your belief in God. However, I feel the scientific aspect of this book is weak.
His references to Quantum phenomena are loose and unfounded. He dismisses some recent scientific discoveries about the brain and the new physics but is quick to draw conclusions based on a few experiences of people he knows.

In short, you'll like this book if you beleive in God. However if, like me, you are searching for God and are asking questions about science and spirituality then book is a disappointment.


Listen while you work!   March 6, 2002
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This 5 disc set by Deepak Chopra is superb. I listen to one disc per day so that the concentrated information contained is given time to sink into my mind.

Beautifully read by Deepak himself in his powerful voice is a joy to listen to.

This set is a shorter version of the best selling book of the same title, but is less concentrated than the miniature book also by Deepak Chopra.

If I am too busy indoors to read but still want to learn from Deepak Chopra then I put this CD set on and carry on working as I listen.

Among other things he covers the 7 stages of God, strange powers (geniuses, telepathy, synchronicity and clairvoyance etc) and how to contact God.

It is, I think, perfect to help anyone and everyone spiritually advance on this journey of ours.