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Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment (Enlightenment Series, 2) Paperback – November 3, 2009
by Deepak Chopra (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 255 ratings
Book 2 of 4: Enlightenment Collection
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“Deepak Chopra’s story is an inspiring gift for those who truly care and have the courage to seek.”
—Michael Baigent, author of The Jesus Papers
The founder of The Chopra Center and the preeminent teacher of Eastern philosophy to the Western World, Deepak Chopra gives us the story of the man who became Messiah in his phenomenal New York Times bestseller Jesus. The author who illuminated the life of Buddha now offers readers an unparalleled portrait of Jesus Christ, from carpenter’s son to revolutionary leader, that is fresh and inspiring—a remarkable retelling of the greatest story ever told.
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288 pages
4.5 out of 5 stars 361
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A gripping tale of one man’s archetypal journey through confusion, doubt, and despair to self-annihilation and the realization of his true identity as the ‘light of the world.’” -- Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth and The Power of Now
“Once again, Deepak Chopra combines spirituality with dramatic narrative to breathe new life into a story that we all assumed we knew. This unique and intriguing story inspires as well as educates. Chopra’s JESUS is every bit as compelling as his groundbreaking retelling of BUDDHA.” -- Tim Kring, creator of Heroes & Crossing Jordan
“A la the Da Vinci Code, this thought-provoking tale is sure to ignite exciting questions and controversy.” -- Jill Gregory, co-author of the international bestseller THE BOOK OF NAMES and the forthcoming thriller THE ILLUMINATION
“It is such an original and intriguing approach to imagine which Jesus was ‘left out of the bible.’ Chopra’s novel is a fascinating read.” -- Petru Popescu, author of the forthcoming GIRL MARY
“If you think all that could be said about Jesus has already been said, then this book will be an eye opener in the best and truest sense of those words. Do a major favor to your soul and read it.” -- Miceal Ledwith, L.Ph., L.D., D.D., LL.D, former member of the Vatican's International Theological Commission and co-author of THE ORB PROJECT
“Deepak takes on the story of Jesus in a way that is both respectful and common. If as a Christian you are afraid of what is inside these pages, don’t be. It quietly succeeded in restoring my faith in my own faith.” -- Kevin Costner
“In Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, Deepak Chopra dares us to ponder paradigms imbedded deep within our very DNA and question unquestionable truths. Chopra introduces a breathtaking epistemology that is altogether fresh and divine. His powerful revelation threatens our ability to live our lives in darkness.” -- Cheryl Woodcock, Correspondent & Producer, Entertainment Tonight & The Insider
“We journey with a very human Jesus through a tough and turbulent landscape to discover his greatest message, that of personal transformation and enlightenment. Deepak Chopra’s story is an inspiring gift for those who truly care and have the courage to seek.” -- Michael Baigent, author of The Jesus Papers
As a Jew I was taught to reject Jesus. As a mystic I was drawn to his light. This brave book invites me to approach Jesus anew, with great curiosity and a humble heart, and to love him, in the end, as my Self.” -- Raphael Cushnir, author of THE ONE THING HOLDING YOU BACK
From the Back Cover
The New York Times bestselling author captures the untold story of Jesus in this surprising, soul-stirring, and inspiring novel.
About the Author
Deepak Chopra, MD is the author of more than eighty books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers in both fiction and nonfiction categories.
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Deepak Chopra
DEEPAK CHOPRA™ MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Dr. Chopra is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. He serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and hosts the podcast Daily Breath.The World Post and The Huffington Post global internet survey ranked “Chopra #17 influential thinker in the world and #1 in Medicine.”
He is the author of over 90 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. For the last thirty years, Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution and his book, Total Meditation (Harmony Book, September 22, 2020) will help to achieve new dimensions of stress-free living and joyful living. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.”
www.choprafoundation.org
www.deepakchopra.com
www.chopra.com
https://apple.co/Daily Breath
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deepak chopra new testament son of god story of enlightenment mary magdalene dead sea lost years jesus life thought provoking jesus a story work of fiction path to enlightenment public ministry god is within open mind missing years sea scrolls many people higher level studies with the essenes
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Top reviews from the United States
Skydog
1.0 out of 5 stars The Patriarchy has its way again
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018
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In writing a fictional account of Jesus, why would the author hang on to that old patriarchic lie that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute? Nothing in any scripture even hints that this was so. So why keep this bit of male propaganda in your bit of fiction? I find that fiction can and often does shed light on a figure in history or an event in a way that a mere historical account cannot do, and I hoped for something of the sort here, but I was disappointed. Tedious dialogues between Jesus and Judas, between Jesus and some mysterious Himalayan mystic, who seems at first to just recount a story he's been told, then suddenly, he becomes omniscient. This is not a story of enlightenment, especially not the enlightenment of a reader. It's meandering and unsatisfying.
16 people found this helpful
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Nicole
2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2018
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I really enjoyed Enlightenment Book # 1, Buddha, so I was excited to read this one. However, I was very disappointed with this book. Unlike the first book, this one didn't grab my attention and "flow".
As a Christian, I was expecting more .. it was just not there. It was a story about a man in search of God and meaning. It didn't really portray Jesus as "special". It didn't go into His life as we've heard from the Bible. It told of his life from a different view as a searcher with doubts and a very anti-climatic ending.
I'll still read # 3 and # 4, hoping to learn from the prophets and hoping to gain some "enlightenment" on the way. I'm hoping they are as good as # 1 was.
3 people found this helpful
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V. Schafer
1.0 out of 5 stars Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019
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Such a disappointment! Nothing based on any ancient unpublished or even rejected books of the Bible. Pure conjecture. Jesus is cast as ordinary with doubts. He didn’t have doubts at 12 as the Bible tells of the priests being astounded by his knowledge. I read this after reading Buddha as I wanted to get a basic understanding of the religious leaders throughout time. I hope Buddha wasn’t as fanciful.
4 people found this helpful
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prop manager
5.0 out of 5 stars An enriching viewpoint for anyone seeking a deeper understanding
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014
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Jesus is so dear to so many people. Jesus is so disturbing to so many people. Jesus has always been a source of wisdom and consternation to people whether Christian or not.
Christians do not even agree about Jesus.
So when an author of another religion altogether endeavors to speak about him, it is significant while yet troubling to many Christians. The significance lies in the light that one who stands outside of the tradition can shed for those inside and I must say that Deepak Chopra does bring to light much that a Christian misses when steeped in Western approaches to Jesus. Mr. Chopra offers an enriching view of the spiritual journey not only that Jesus made but how that journey is one for each of us in our own unique way. Reading this book has helped me find a new a deeper level of encounter with Jesus. I recommend it highly.
11 people found this helpful
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Seth Marshall
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice story but don't expect to learn about Jesus...
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015
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Enjoyed the read but purely as a work of fiction - think I may have been quite disappointed if I picked up the book intending to learn anything at all about Jesus. Chopra, as always, is a great storyteller and blends his own beliefs and values well in the writing.
It's interesting to get a new perspective on how Jesus might have been like and what might have happened. A nice story overall but probably not as good as Chopra's earlier material. There are a few nuggets of wisdom in there and a bit humanizing of Jesus which may not go down well with hardcore Christian followers.
6 people found this helpful
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J. Puleo
4.0 out of 5 stars An imaginatively led spiritual journey
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2016
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The time of mystery in Jesus's life just before His public ministry is postulated and explored. Familiar characters appear. Events that are contextually and historically possible leading to a moment of enlightenment in which Jesus recognizes His oneness with God and His mission as the Son of God and Light of the world. The serious Christian will have to decide what accommodations they are willing to make to their mindset in order to read or whether to continue. Although laid aside a few times I found the final chapters very touching and spiritually fulfilling. If your faith formation is strong read this book. If your formation is shaky or just beginning be cautious and maybe read with a well formed friend.
5 people found this helpful
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James Wheeler
4.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical story of Jesus... A good work of fiction though and it makes you think.
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2012
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Let me start by saying that if you are a Hard nosed Christian who believes Sola Scriptura, and that the bible is completely inerrant - This book is not for you. If however you enjoy thinking and are willing to have your understanding of the events between the Biblical account of Jesus being whisked away at age 2 and his return around 30 with only one biblical notation of his life at age 12... where did he go? what did he do? who was he? Does any one know for certain?? Probably not anymore, this book is a work of historical fiction, yes, but it makes the reader wonder if being the "Son of God" was no more than the value of being a human being a "child of God" or if his seemingly divine power did not in part come from his own personal enlightenment... after all the kingdom of God is within...
Like it, hate it, doesn't matter - Dr Chopra makes you think!
Keep an open mind, think for yourself... but try not to leave it open at both ends!
8 people found this helpful
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Marianne
3.0 out of 5 stars Not one of my favourite Chopra books
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2013
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Maybe I was tired while reading this book during 2 fairly long flights but I was disappointed. While I appreciated the path to enlightenment, the story appeared very anti-climatic when Jesus attained this desired state. Maybe because Christians are only taught about the messages and miracles of Christ and there is very limited information about his experience as a human - with all the temptations and challenges that we face, I was honestly offended by the attraction scene with him and Mary. We are taught about the divine love of Christ in the Bible. There is no consideration of carnal love between Jesus and anybody. Curiosity leads me to wonder how much religion has limited our perception of what is the truth.
I will read this book again to see if my opinion changes but for now, it was an okay novel.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
inservice
4.0 out of 5 stars As a Christian are you brave enough to read this?!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2018
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I can only quote Deepak Chopra himself
"Enlightenment has existed in every age. The path from suffering and separation to bliss and unity with God is well marked. I put Jesus on this path because I believe he walked it.
Of course, any number of confirmed Christians will disagree, sometimes violently. They want Jesus to remain unique, the only man who was also God. But if Jesus belongs to the world, as I believe he does, his story can’t exclude everyone else who has realized God-consciousness. In this novel Jesus remains a savior, but he isn’t the savior."
"깨달음은 모든 시대에 존재했습니다. 고통과 분리에서 행복과 하나님과의 일치에 이르는 길이 잘 표시되어 있습니다. 나는 예수님이 그 길을 걸으셨다고 믿기 때문에 이 길에 예수님을 두었습니다.
물론, 많은 확인된 기독교인들은 동의하지 않을 것이며 때로는 격렬하게 그들은 예수가 유일무이한, 신이기도 한 유일한 사람으로 남아 있기를 원하지만
예수가 세상에 속해 있다면 그가 그러하듯이 그의 이야기는 신의식을 깨달은 다른 모든 사람들을 배제할 수 없다. 이 소설에서 예수는 남아있다. 구세주지만 그는 구세주가 아니다."
3 people found this helpful
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William Masson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2019
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I loved this book and I read it within 3 days which is rare. There were many aspects of this story which I loved but can’t say. Will definitely read it again
One person found this helpful
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Pharo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
great book very informative answers a lot of questions is a must read for all seekers after the truth and beyond. The book should be included in further education syllabus and the subject should be taught in universities as a special course.
Well done the author.
3 people found this helpful
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Terry
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2013
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I love Deepak Chopra's book but wasn't sure about this one at first. However, it grew on me as the book progressed. I would recommend it to anyone looking for soem answers about the real Jesus.
2 people found this helpful
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Maestro
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2018
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Nov 30, 2008Jessica rated it really liked it
Shelves: themes-religion, themes-spirituality, themes-in-the-vortex-fiction, genre-historical-fiction, genre-spiritual-fiction, themes-christianity, themes-stories-retold, location-islamic-nations, kindle-read
I love pretty much anything that Deepak Chopra writes, but this is the first work of fiction of his that I've read. I am also a person that LOVES reading anything that helps break Jesus out of the tiny box that organized Christianity has put him in, and this really does a good job of that.
This book is a fictionalized account of Jesus' lost years prior to his mission as described in the New Testament. As a work of fiction, the book is very well written and very believable. Even hard liners would most likely enjoy reading it.
My favorite part of the book, however, was the Epilogue where Chopra gives his own opinion about who Jesus really was and what he was really trying to teach us. Overall, I would recommend this book very highly. As a work of fiction, it is very good. I recommend it for anyone who has a deep love of Jesus and what he stands for but, at the same time, has a hard time finding any of that inside the church that claims to follow his teachings. (less)
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Jul 18, 2011Lyn rated it liked it
I have picked up this book numerous times only to put it back again and come back still interested.
The obvious controversy left me unwilling to read. I finally did and found it a fascinating fiction, not overtly offensive, though some might be put off by this "lost years" narrative.
...more
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Jan 01, 2009Darlene rated it did not like it
Holy Crap!?!
As I forced myself to read this work of fiction in one sitting, I could not help but wonder what Deepak was hoping to accomplish with this publication (or how strapped for cash he was). I was neither enlightened nor inspired by his story. If anything, it has only fueled my curiosity and yearning for knowing the truth.
Sylvia Browne's "The Mystical Life of Jesus" (using her spiritual guide) and Dolores Cannon's "Jesus and the Essenes" (utilizing subjects of hypnotic regression) were both far more interesting attempts to fill in the missing pieces of a man who once lived we now refer to as Jesus Christ.
The sad truth is: Even IF somehow, some day, somewhere and in some way, Jesus told his story, the odds are that He Himself wouldn't be believed. (less)
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Feb 05, 2019Annette rated it it was amazing
Shelves: novel-of-religious-leader, biblical-fiction
The sad truth is: Even IF somehow, some day, somewhere and in some way, Jesus told his story, the odds are that He Himself wouldn't be believed. (less)
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Feb 05, 2019Annette rated it it was amazing
Shelves: novel-of-religious-leader, biblical-fiction
Author’s Note: “This book isn’t about the Jesus found in the New Testament, but the Jesus who was left out – the enlightened Jesus. The gospel writers are silent about “the lost years,” as they are known, covering the span in Jesus’s life between the ages of twelve and thirty.”
This story is based on the premise that Jesus wanted “us to reach the same unity with God that he had reached. (…) To do that, Jesus has to be brought into the scheme of everyday life. He worries about violence and unrest; he wonders if God is listening; he is intensely absorbed in the question, “Who am I?””
In the village of Nazareth, two types of people lived, “people of the mountains and people of the roads, that is, those who stayed at home and those who traveled. (…) But Jesus was rare. He was of the mountains and the roads both.”
What Jesus and his brother James witness is the continuous rise of Zealot rebels against Romans. And wonder themselves which path to pick? “The Zealots had bitterly divided the community. For every Jew who saw them as merciless killers, another saw them as heroes against the oppressor.”
Then like an answer, Judas appears and tempts Jesus to pick up a sword and fight. “Pick it up when you’re ready to be a free man. Or leave it there to rust. That’s what a slave would do.”
“He had had enough of being a slave, and if Judas knew where the road to freedom led, the choice was clear.”
Jesus and Judas travel to Jerusalem “on a lethal mission, to stab the high priest of the Temple.” But only Judas knows the details of the mission. Jesus was tempted to fulfill the mission to gain freedom. But what he doesn’t know is that he is being lead on a mission to sin.
After a failed mission, they’re on the run toward the Dead Sea. But there is something about Jesus. Wherever he hides, he finds “new clothes and loses the air of a fugitive.”
He is lead to an oasis by the Dead Sea and as soon as they approach it, he recognizes the sect of Essenes; ones living in caves and hillside enclaves. “They were recluses, reputed to be the most secret sect in Judea.”
At oasis, he recognizes “the painting that shadowed Mary and Joseph in the stable.” On another painting he recognizes three crosses, and their meaning.
This unique journey takes Jesus through confusion and doubt to the realization of his true identity. The author combines spirituality with dramatic narrative to bring this intriguing story.
Author’s Note: “A static Jesus stands outside human experience… it makes him unique… but it also creates a gap. (…) Indeed, the only way to follow Christ’s teachings is to reach his own state of consciousness. To achieve Christ-consciousness… means walking the path to enlightenment that he walked. For that reason, the Jesus of this novel faces everyday doubts and contradictions. He wonders why God allows evil to triumph so often. He feels inadequate to change other people. He is torn between love for men and women and divine love. In other words, Jesus sets out to solve the deepest mysteries of life – this is the chief reason he isn’t static, as the biblical version of Jesus often seems to be.”
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction (less)
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Aug 12, 2010Brad rated it really liked it
Last Week: So far I read the Authors Note pages and the Reader's Guide at the end of the book. I think it gives the book a better head start. I have enjoyed both of these sections very much and look forward to the fictional story of Jesus' middle years within.
Conclusion: I think this book, to be enjoyed by Christians, must be approached with an open heart and an open mind. One should not be attached to their own version/vision of who Christ was in his early years, the between years. But rather, be accepting of Chopra's own vision in his work of fiction about what it might have been like for Jesus.
In all I found when I approached the writing with non-resistance, non-attachment and non-judgment, I could more calmly accept this nicely written story. Hence the rating of four stars from me. (I know, I know, it is a judgment of sorts :-P) (less)
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Mar 04, 2013Kerri rated it really liked it
I enjoyed this book for the same reason I have always loved Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar- they portray the "human" side of Jesus who I can find relatable. I did not know much about Deepak Chopra before this and I look forward to learning more about him, and reading more of his books. (less)
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Sep 12, 2010Becca Chopra rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Deepak Chopra offers sage advice on transforming your life, from a Christian perspective, in his novel "Jesus." While many Christians may not agree with his fictional account of Jesus' lost years before his ministry began,
they can reap new insights from the Readers Guide - Jesus and the Path to Enlightenment. He writes that Jesus was the product of transformation and that he wanted others to be transformed also, giving up unloving, violent, selfish and narrow-minded attitudes and offering only love and peace to the world. He describes how all Jesus' teaching was in service of one objective: to find the way back home, to oneness with God. He explains that while Christianity offers prayer as a way to "transcend," it is not so different than than the goal of Eastern spiritual traditions which offer meditation. Both quiet the mind and expand it beyond everyday boundaries.
Deepak Chopra's explanation is that Jesus was teaching how to find the source of all God's qualities inside yourself and ultimately to embody them.
Deepak Chopra's explanation is that Jesus was teaching how to find the source of all God's qualities inside yourself and ultimately to embody them.
I personally found this explanation very powerful, as my work in chakra balancing will help one to embody these qualities... which to me, makes it in line with Christ consciousness.
While this book may not be the best "fiction" ever written, it offers an explanation I can grasp of how and why Christianity has failed to bring love and peace to the world. Chopra illustrates Jesus' teachings in a way that bridges a gap between the Christianity that is taught in organized religion and the way to transformation that Jesus offered to the world. Inspirational to say the least!
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries (less)
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Jan 07, 2013Nicole Wagner rated it really liked it
A very interesting book, Deepak is a superb writer and has a wonderful imagination. I like that it sparks thoughts about life and humanity from a personal level and how we can shine and encompass our own Christ-like selves.
While this book may not be the best "fiction" ever written, it offers an explanation I can grasp of how and why Christianity has failed to bring love and peace to the world. Chopra illustrates Jesus' teachings in a way that bridges a gap between the Christianity that is taught in organized religion and the way to transformation that Jesus offered to the world. Inspirational to say the least!
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries (less)
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Jan 07, 2013Nicole Wagner rated it really liked it
A very interesting book, Deepak is a superb writer and has a wonderful imagination. I like that it sparks thoughts about life and humanity from a personal level and how we can shine and encompass our own Christ-like selves.
To see that both light and dark are equal aspects of God and play their part in the grand stage of life. I would've enjoyed more from Mary's perspective and influence as it seems she was more influential in his life than shown here, possibly. I also like that it emphasizes how we all have the potential, born in whatever circumstances, to rise above human foibles and live amazing, Divinely inspired lives. (less)
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Nov 13, 2018Kevin Orth rated it it was amazing
This is reminiscent of The Last Temptation of Christ. In that the Jesus character is as human as human can be. The other characters, Mary Magdalene & Judas, are equally committed and well rounded. Even though Jesus is making sense of his mission and purpose as he goes along and questioning his interpretation each step of the way, he does not waiver from the guidance he is receiving from Spirit. We would all be well served by taking such a tact.
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Jul 12, 2019Robert Case rated it really liked it
Recommends it for: students of religions of the world
Shelves: biography, own-the-book, theology
A biographical account of the in-between years in the life of Jesus, the one's only alluded to in the New Testament from about 12 to 30, and according to author, Deepak Chopra, the years in which Jesus journeyed toward and found enlightenment. (less)
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Aug 30, 2021 Kathleen Brandt rated it it was amazing
This is a very interesting book. The body of the book, a fanciful idea about what the "lost years of Jesus" (from the age of 12 to the age of 30) might have been like, was a rather strange story.
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Nov 13, 2018Kevin Orth rated it it was amazing
This is reminiscent of The Last Temptation of Christ. In that the Jesus character is as human as human can be. The other characters, Mary Magdalene & Judas, are equally committed and well rounded. Even though Jesus is making sense of his mission and purpose as he goes along and questioning his interpretation each step of the way, he does not waiver from the guidance he is receiving from Spirit. We would all be well served by taking such a tact.
flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review
Jul 12, 2019Robert Case rated it really liked it
Recommends it for: students of religions of the world
Shelves: biography, own-the-book, theology
A biographical account of the in-between years in the life of Jesus, the one's only alluded to in the New Testament from about 12 to 30, and according to author, Deepak Chopra, the years in which Jesus journeyed toward and found enlightenment. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Aug 30, 2021 Kathleen Brandt rated it it was amazing
This is a very interesting book. The body of the book, a fanciful idea about what the "lost years of Jesus" (from the age of 12 to the age of 30) might have been like, was a rather strange story.
The very best part of the book was the "Reader's Guide" titled "Jesus and the Path to Enlightenment."
It is probably the most beautiful "sermon" I have ever heard or read, and it was written by a non-Christian. (less)
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Jan 27, 2013 Rita rated it really liked it
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Jan 27, 2013 Rita rated it really liked it
Although I find the storyline improbable, I found Chopra's imagined tale to be an interesting story of "what might have been" the activitiies of Jesus, between the ages of 26 to 30. I say that I find this story improbable, but I am open to the idea that it is - not impossible.
Given that it is hard to know exactly what life was like in the region of Jerusalem, over 2000 years ago - Chopra did a fine job of telling a story of a region and a society living under harsh poltiical, cultural, and religious bias and persecution.
His telling of Mary Magdalene's life as a prostitute, portrays the hardship that women may have faced, when abandoned or widowed by their family and or husband. For what it is worth - I found Chopra's presentation of MM as a prostitute more unbelievable than that of his portrayal of Judas.
But that did not deter me from enjoying this book, which I've given a 4-star rating, mostly because Chopra was brave enough to present a different story of Jesus, one which is certain to offend some readers.
I did not read the book, but rather, I listened to the book...and I absolutely loved listening to Deepak Chopras' voice, inflections, and cadence.
If you are not locked into a pre-conceived notion of who can speak of Jesus, and what can be said about him, and if you are open minded enough, then you just might find this book to be thought provoking. (less)
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Dec 18, 2009 Ange rated it it was amazing
I did not read the book, but rather, I listened to the book...and I absolutely loved listening to Deepak Chopras' voice, inflections, and cadence.
If you are not locked into a pre-conceived notion of who can speak of Jesus, and what can be said about him, and if you are open minded enough, then you just might find this book to be thought provoking. (less)
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Dec 18, 2009 Ange rated it it was amazing
Amazing Book! My favorites:
1. “You want to protect the innocent. Let me tell you, God isn’t just in the rabbits. He’s also in the foxes. So your little act of kindness deprived God of a meal.” P 133
2. “How can we discover God’s will unless we give up our own?” P 161
3. “If I use my power, people will become afraid of me too. And why not, if they fear my Father so greatly?” P 165
4. “If God is everywhere, we must figure out why he’s so hard to see, “ he once said when somebody found him crouched in a field studying something intently on the ground. It turned out to be a lark’s nest hidden in the grass. A clutch of eggs had just hatched, and the blind fledglings in the nest mistook Jesus’s shadow for the return of their mother. They opened their huge pink beaks, crying and weaving their heads for food. P 195
5. To be blessed in a cursed world would become unbearable. P 209
6. “Only someone who can see the demons as part of God is free. Good and evil dissolve. The veil drops away and all you see is divine light- inside, outside, everywhere.” The Blanket p 220
Apr 06, 2016Lucy rated it it was amazing
I enjoyed Deepak's Readers Guide the most. It was interesting to imagine what Jesus's journey was like other than what we know from the bible. (less)
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Jul 02, 2019Gianmichael Salvato rated it it was ok
Shelves: spirituality, historic-fiction
I will have to admit to being rather disappointed after reading this book. That doesn't mean it wasn't a well-written book, certainly worth reading. But I expected something more from the author, Deepak Chopra.
In his preface to Jesus, Chopra is very straightforward about his purpose in writing the book, saying:
"[there is] a Jesus left out of the New Testament - the enlightened Jesus. His absence, in my view, has profoundly crippled the Christian faith, for...making [Jesus] the one and only Son of God leaves the rest of humankind stranded...What if Jesus wanted his followers - and us - to reach the same unity with God that he had reached?"
Chopra takes on the task quite well, but not without failing to give some consideration I would have thought he'd undertake in his treatment of the Jesus mythos. For example, he allows the notion that Jesus was born in Nazareth, a misrepresentation caused by illiteracy in the early translations of the ancient texts that made up the canonical texts. Nazareth didn't even exist at the time of the radically inclusive Dharma teacher and itinerate Rabbi. And he fails to recognise that it was the ignorance of Pope Gregory that resulted in the complete misrepresentation of Mary of Magdala as a whore -- something that is indicated nowhere, even in the poorly plagiarised canonical texts of the Christian Bible.
Still, I think that Chopra's thoughtful treatment of the story in a way that those who entertain such ideas as the god-concept, and who believe the account in their bible was ever intended to be an historic or literal account of the life of Rav Yeshua ben Yusef, is well done and imaginative.
I might have expected that greater attention would have been paid the likelihood that the Egyptian Therapeutae, long believed to either be Tibetan Buddhist monks or to have been trained by Tibetan monks, played a significant role in the formative ideology and philosophy of the young Yeshua. But this possibility is implied in Chopra's positioning of Yeshua with the Essenes, who are likewise, students of the Dharma, integrated with a more mystical/metaphysical understanding of the traditional god-concept.
I was disturbed by Chopra's decision to support the notion of "Satan", and by an almost Harry Potter-esque encounter by Yeshua with paintings depicting future events. It seemed incongruent with Chopra's own intelligence and wisdom, and only supported one of the most unhealthy delusions of theistic spiritual paths... the notion of this fearmongering, spiteful and bitchy "god", and his "nemesis" (the Angel of Light).
In the end though, I think that for those inclined toward theistic philosophies and spiritual paths, it would be useful to consider the idea that Yeshua (Jesus) understood that all of the qualities we seek from "God" can be found within us already, and the Enlightenment is the pathway or realisation of these qualities (our True Nature). He brings to the forefront the realisation that like the meditative practices (sadhanas) of the Eastern traditions, Christianity offers prayer as a way to "transcend," to still the mind and expand it beyond the limitations of our perceived realities.
The premise that Jesus became enlightened during the so-called "lost years" is a powerful idea, but unfortunately, I expected a bit more substance to support this idea. That was entirely my fault, because I did not realise, when I picked the book up, that Chopra's intended approach was going to be purely fictional -- midrashic, really... much as the authors of the canonical and apocryphal texts intended.
Missing was any reference to the reality that most of the tales we find in the canonical texts, especially in the synoptic gospels, are nothing more than repackaged (horribly plagiarised) versions of a 5000 year old astrological myth about various sun-gods (including Horus, Osiris/Isis, Mithra, Attis, and so many others). I had hoped this book might illuminate some possibilities, even within the context of ficition, that somehow, a manipulative, unilluminated, power-hungry group of rich and powerful men (known collectively as what we now call the Roman Catholic Church) would miss the entire point of the stories, and after them, nearly every "Christian" sect that followed would be disadvantaged and misinformed as well.
Perhaps that is a book that is yet to be written... by a punk monk or something along those lines! ;-)
If you like a light, good natured read... pick up this book. It's certainly better written than the Bible, and much more believable overall. (less)
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Oct 20, 2021Krystal Hill rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I am still not totally sure how I feel about this book. I am a Christian, so I believe that Jesus was fully human and fully divine and that all I need to know about Jesus is written in the Bible and since He is living I can have a relationship with Him here and now. All that said to make my biases clear.
The narrative of the book is well paced and intriguing. It’s main focus is in the relationships between characters and Jesus’s spiritual growth as He comes to realize His calling as the Messiah.
It is not a piece of historical fiction. I think more accuracy and research in that area would have greatly enriched the narrative and its lack was disappointing and distracting. There are also several time jumps, giving the narrative an almost dream like structure, but at the same time feels a bit lazy.
Also Jesus shows in the New Testament a deep and rich knowledge of scripture, but in this story he is illiterate. One time jump of five years has a very slight implication that his knowledge of scripture might have happened then, but it’s never really acknowledged in any meaningful way. Jesus’s prayer life is also mostly just inferred. Both of these are so central to the known Jesus, it seems strange to leave them out.
In the introduction, Chopra makes it clear this is purely a work of His imagination and lays out his own point of view as an outsider to Christianity, but with understanding of the main tenants of the faith. There are parts of the story that made me uncomfortable, but I think that’s okay. All art is made to provoke feelings, and ones like anger, discomfort, and unease are just as important to explore and unpack as any.
The Reader’s Guide is the best part of the book and changed my rating from three stars to four.
In the introduction, Chopra makes it clear this is purely a work of His imagination and lays out his own point of view as an outsider to Christianity, but with understanding of the main tenants of the faith. There are parts of the story that made me uncomfortable, but I think that’s okay. All art is made to provoke feelings, and ones like anger, discomfort, and unease are just as important to explore and unpack as any.
The Reader’s Guide is the best part of the book and changed my rating from three stars to four.
Does it line up exactly with the Christian faith? No, but the areas that do are very interesting since they are coming from the perspective of Eastern spirituality traditions.
As a Christian, when you read this book, I think what you should ask is, “Why did God lead me to this book?” There are worthy lessons here. Don’t get caught up in what you disagree with and put it down in disgust.
Find what it can teach you about your faith. You were drawn to it for a reason.
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Jan 20, 2021 Janice Shull rated it liked it
Chopra has created a fascinating story of Jesus’s life between age 12 and age 30. What was the young man Jesus like?
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Jan 20, 2021 Janice Shull rated it liked it
Chopra has created a fascinating story of Jesus’s life between age 12 and age 30. What was the young man Jesus like?
Chopra offers his interpretation based on what scripture tells us of the adult Jesus, and it includes a period of time spent in the company of the Zealots, and then with the Essenes.
Eventually the story takes us to a high mountain hut where Jesus has gone to seek enlightenment from someone, unidentified but acting much like a guru. The mountains might have been in east Pakistan. Chopra’s purpose in telling this story is to help us understand how Jesus became enlightened, indeed the source of light for the world.
Chopra includes a helpful reader’s guide, which describes the three levels of reality:
Chopra includes a helpful reader’s guide, which describes the three levels of reality:
1) The material world, or the level at which most of us live most of the time
2) The Kingdom of God, sometimes called Heaven by Jesus, is the opposite of the material world
3) God, which goes beyond both the material world and Heaven, is “a peace that passes understanding.” God’s reality is inconceivable for us. “God, or the Absolute, is the source from which reality is born.”
All three levels of reality are present at this very moment in you and outside you.
Jesus offered salvation, which opens the door to the two missing dimensions of life—the world of the spirit and the source of reality. Because Jesus became open to the source, he saw reality on all three levels as a manifestation of God. Jesus didn’t simply bring the light of God to earth, he was the light (guru=dispeller of darkness).
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Sep 14, 2013Eric Nelson rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: read-but-unowned
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Sep 14, 2013Eric Nelson rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: read-but-unowned
Chopra takes his own non-historical sense of who Jesus was and places him in a geniusly re-created first century Palestine.
It�s an odd experience to read historical fiction where so much time and care is taken to get the history right�setting detailed accurately, culture described vividly, and characters so believably first-century�yet the central character isn�t given the same attention.
To care so deeply about historical sources, but to disregard the best historical sources in determining who the central character is a huge disconnect.
The Jesus portrayed is a convincing character�especially in the world of first century Palestine read by 21st century Westerners�but he�s entirely fictional.
As I thought about other historical fiction, I found myself reflecting on Seth-Green�s �Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.� I think one learns more about the historical Abraham Lincoln by reading Seth-Green�s well-researched book than one can learn about Jesus from reading Chopra�s well-researched book. In Seth-Green�s work, the integrity of the central character is maintained�in fact, it�s amplified by the fictionalized vampire hunting. Chopra doesn�t make any gross paranormal additions to his Jesus, but by changing little things�e.g., making him feel guilty, refuse to speak with authority, or to lie�the character�s life pivots and becomes irreconcilable to the historical Jesus that has been sought after by the church for the past 2,000 years.
To be fair, the book is fiction. Had I not read Anne Rice�s �Road to Cana,� I may not have even realized a more comprehensively faithful fictionalization was possible. But now that I have read that novelization of Jesus� ministry I can see that either Chopra wasn�t trying to be historical or he tried and failed miserably. He seems too gifted of a writer for the second option to be viable.
This is a book with an agenda�every book about Jesus is. Chopra�s agenda isn�t to portray the real Jesus, a Jesus whose rooted in historical reality. Rather, Chopra�s taking his sense of who Jesus is and proving his feasibility by demonstrating to the reader that Chopra�s Jesus could convincingly live in Roman Palestine.
Thankfully, Chopra is more or less honest about this. He subtitled the book: A Story of Enlightenment, which should tip off Christian readers that this is not the same Jesus portrayed in the first century accounts of his life. One could characterize Jesus� story as a story of a prophet, a story or a servant leader, or a story of a redeemer, but to call it a story of enlightenment is to move the focus of Jesus� life from the people he served to Jesus� own personal sojourn�it is to say that Jesus came first to serve his own spiritual needs and secondarily to serve others�a service that primarily helps Jesus get what he wants, i.e., enlightenment.
That is not to say the book is without merit. It�s refreshing to live in a Jerusalem described so well. To see the motives of the first century Jews as they struggle with Roman oppression and their own sense of distance from their God. Chopra nails these things. He has a knack for empathy, and this allows him to create viable characters who probably are much like the one who actually inhabited the hills of Galilee and the courtyards of the great temple.
The book, however, is still dangerous. Its portrayal is so compelling the reader can often forget that an experienced truth�even a most compelling one�when separated from historical reality is no truth at all. Faith doesn�t need to have all the facts, but it needs a footing in reality. Soaring and meaningful experiences without some footing a shared reality is simply madness.
The pantheism the book's Jesus endorses at the end is attractive because it breaks through our Western individualism, but it replaces individualism for a worldview where the individual is assimilated into a broad spirituality and anything that made that individual unique or special is lost.
The Jewish notion of a fallen world wanting to be redeemed is lost. The radical prophetic focus on the suffering poor is replaced with an escapist desired your soul. The hard work of redemption through forgiveness is supplanted with the ascetic ideal of piety. To have a conversation between Jesus and Eastern mystics is an admirable and fruitful dialog, but to collapse Jesus into a guru's disciple is silly--and offensive. Silly, because there's no reason to think there was any cultural interchange between Indian and Palestinian spiritualists. Offensive because the only reason people would need to propose such a thing is that they haven't taken the time to go deep enough into Judaism. For one who has taken the time to dive into Judaism's depth there is no need for a Jew in Jesus' position to get ideas from someone or something outside the Jewish tradition to become the person he became (or was).
Part of the reason I suspect is that Chopra equates Jesus' mercy and forgiveness for the Eastern idea of tolerance. In Chopra's world (as it's outlined in the novel), evil is not undone or a force to be pushed back against, but merely a way of approaching the world that should be fully embraced--exalted as though evil is merely an unpleasant lens through which we see the world. To Chopra's credit, Jesus would have to go outside Judaism to make that move--a move that would exchange the mission of social justice (i.e., undoing evil's power and replacing it with love) for social tolerance (i.e., an attempt to see acts of hate or indifference as no better or worse than acts of charity, courage, or wisdom).
The book is recommendable to some. It�s a great work for those who are trying to understand popular perceptions of Jesus or looking to gain a more vibrant sense of the world Jesus lived in.
To seekers looking for fiction that helps search for Truth (with a capital T), I suggest trying Anne Rice's 'Road to Cana.' (less)
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