Deepak Chopra knows not everyone will get his message. Particularly this time.

His new book, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential, is a journey into a world deeper than reality. Its about moving from what you know to what you can be. And its deep.

But the renowned best-selling author and spiritual guru wont leave you hanging. He outlines steps to help you get there. Chopra will talk about his new book Friday at Unity of Houston.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Chopra explains his message.

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Metahuman sounds like something from a sci-fi show. What does it mean to you?

Its a deep understanding of a fundamental reality, as opposed to a perceptual reality. Perceptual reality is what youre experiencing right now in this moment through your senses. A fundamental reality is a conscious agent. You are a conscious agent or a soul thats having a human experience.

How do you live like a meta human when theres so much going on?

By Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Author appearance

Deepak Chopra will talk about his new book and what it means to metahuman at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Unity of Houston, 2929 Unity Drive.

Well, you could stop every few hours, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself, Am I awake right now? Am I aware right now? Thats a start.

You book has a 31-day guide at the end. Why is it important to give steps?

If you want to make a word into a sentence or a paragraph or a story, then you have to know how to do that step-by-step. So we are building a case for fundamental reality step-by-step.

Earlier this year you announced a GoFundMe campaign to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental well-being through a global movement called NeverAlone. Can you talk about it?

Every day you read about suicide in the newspapers. The second most common cause of death among children and adolescents (ages 10-24). Theres something drastically wrong with us if our children feel so desperate that they have to kill themselves. You know its an act of ultimate desperation and not being connected with loved ones, and with the world. Theres something wrong globally with our mental state, so mental well-being should be our priority and particularly taking care of our next generation.

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How do you personally stay centered?

I dont take myself seriously. I pay attention to my family life. I just do what I enjoy and if it doesnt have a meaning or purpose for me, then I dont do it. I focus on three things: service, community and spiritual practice. I also asked myself, Is it going to make a difference? If not, I don't do it.

Why is getting centered so hard?

Because we are bamboozled into thinking that theres something out there that will make us happy.

How do you encourage people to stay positive in the thick of the political season?

When you realize how insane the whole thing is you dont get involved. You just go and vote for that person that comes close to your ideas and then let the unknown take over. Thats my attitude.

joy.sewing@chron.com

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Deepak Chopra ponders what it means to be human - Houston Chronicle