Bad Karma

The time is right to dissect the dynamics of the spiritual wellness industry and shine the light of accountability on the powerful figures who drive it

- Vineetha Mokkil IS SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR, OUTLOOK. SHE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK A HAPPY PLACE AND OTHER STORIES

NEW-age spiritual guru and 'consciousness expander' Deepak Chopra's name figures in the Epstein files (the three million or so pages and photos released so far) over 3000 times. Being mentioned in the files doesn't imply wrongdoing, but it does show that Chopra stayed in touch—and was pretty pally—with the sex offender long after Epstein was convicted for procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008 and served a 13-month jail sentence.

A nugget of wisdom Chopra doled out to us mortals after he shot to global fame in the early 90's comes to mind at this point. “You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers,” he revealed. “In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices.” And yet, despite this infinity of available choices, Chopra chose to continue to socialise with Epstein, exchanging locker-room jokes and messages—some of them explicit—about women and young girls, raising no questions about ‘the girls’ Epstein kept bringing up in conversation, accepting Epstein's overtures to help him connect with members of the global power elite, and thanking Epstein for his friendship.