Book Review – The Book of Secrets

By dougnau on Sep 30, 2008 in Book Reviews, Spiritual Coaching

Background

Deepac Chopra, M.D., has written and recorded a small library of books including classics like Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. He writes on topics of physical health, and more notably on spiritual health. In the last decade he’s become a icon in the spiritual growth industry and his medical background further enforces his credibility as a spiritual leader. One of his more recent accomplishments has been a plug in a Microsoft commercial where he spoke about the ‘being’ as part of a human being (that was good comical relief but shows how widespread his popularity has become!)

The Book of Secrets, Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life was written to address the health of the spiritual body rather than the physical body. This book was published in both paperback and audio format released in September 2005.

Review & Commentary

The Book of Secrets, Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of your life is organized as a series of 15 spiritual secrets that can be used to empower your life. The book is well formulated and written, and for anyone that enjoys reading about philosophical and spiritual principles, I am confident that they will enjoy this book.

That being said, as I sit here in front of my computer without the book in front of me – I can not recall one of the single secrets that Deepac shared. To me, although the book was organized into a series of secrets, they all revolved around a larger theme of wholeness and interconnectedness. Its a perspective that is useful and interesting to embrace. Rather than considering yourself as individual operating in a world that essentially revolves around you as an observer (that is not meant to sound condescending – rather its our typical vantage point), consider the concept that there is no you.

Deepac explores some basic building blocks of metaphysics, how at the sub-atomic level we are nothing more than vibrations in this world. He uses this as one set of evidence to support our interconnectedness as a species, planet and universe. Even deeper, he talks of life and death, and how similar these are with the exception of the presence of a body. Our own life stems from a universal life which we are all part of.

On Life and Beyond

I’ve shared some fleeting thoughts on my philosophies of the meaning of life, and share a personal belief system that in many ways mirrors what Deepac describes throughout The Book of Secrets. While these topics are not necessarily the focus or intent of this blog (see more about the purpose of this blog here), they do play a role in the prosperity of our spiritual advancement and enlightenment. This is undeniably intertwined with personal growth and a broad spectrum of wellness.

While we are undeniably unique individuals with our own physical bodies, characteristics, abilities, preferences and lifestyles, etc., there are times in which an interconnected world view of our life can be empowering not only for oneself but for the planet. When you think about your place in this universe, the struggles of the day dissipate into nothingness. Its true that on a macro level world view, your stress in a moment is a miniscule and perfect operation of a bigger picture.

When you ask yourself what contribution you can make at a planetary scale, your potential for self actualization is expanded. You recognize that your own prosperity (including physical, financial, spiritual, purpose, self expression, and relations) is part of a greater whole of prosperity which is beautiful to share.

I introduce these concepts because as a whole, The Book of Secrets does a fantastic job of introducing a thought process, that if foreign to you, can provoke and inspire a new way of living.

Who is this for?

This book is written for any personal growth enthusiast. While it is written with numerous spiritual overtones, its not married to any specific religion. Both the philosophically and the science oriented readers will enjoy this book as his discussions of simple metaphysical qualities promote great food for thought when we consider the nature of what we are.