But Deepak Chopra, M.D., was perhaps the only one who struck international chords by preaching the fusion of mind and body for perfect health. Combining the polish of the Western public speaker with the mystique of the East has earned him the attention of even the hardest cynics.

It became impossible to ignore him. A highly paid speaker, Chopra was featured on "Larry King Live," the cover of Time, shelves of bookstores and the Internet. And now that the lessons of good health have been taught, Chopra, 53, reaches out to explore spirituality in his new book, "How to Know God: The Soul's Journey Into the Mystery of Mysteries."

His inspiration for writing the book was Albert Einstein, who once said, "I want to know what God thinks; everything else is a detail."

"I wrote this book because I believe that the experience of God is available to anyone, regardless of religious background or lack of it," Chopra says.

He is convinced that the "human nervous system is hardwired to experience God. God is defined as infinite intelligence and infinite creativity. The universe is a manifestation of this infinite creativity. Whenever we create something new in our lives, we tap into the infinite mind. The miracles that are described in every spiritual tradition are manifestations of the creativity that we have access to when we tap into 'the mind of God.'"

Huh?

Chopra cuts right to the point: "I believe that people reading this book will understand how miraculous healing occurs and why desires sometimes get fulfilled without any conscious effort on our part. I want my book to empower people so they begin to understand that a spark of the divinity that great prophets experienced inside themselves is also present in their being," Chopra insists. Continuing on building passion, he says, "When they pay attention to this spark and nurture it, it can become a brilliant flame that can transform their own lives and all those who are affected by them."

Chopra's work brings in $15 million annually. In June 1999, Time counted him among 100 heroes and icons of the century. His approach to financial matters is unique. "I do not think about money, nor do I look at bank or financial statements," he says. "I've always lived my life with the premise that when I need money, it will show up from wherever it is at the moment. I look upon money as life energy, and I look upon all transactions as exchange of energy and information and as the nurturing of relationships."

When he does receive payment in the form of royalty checks or income from speaking engagements and other fees, he sends it to his company's accountant, who pays the bills and sends the rest to Chopra's wife, Rita, who either spends the money or invests it.

"I never ask her questions about it, nor am I interested in knowing where it goes," he says. "My lifestyle and that of my family is not ostentatious or extravagant and we do not have expensive habits. We've lived the same way for the last 30 years. At the same time, we have never experienced a shortage of money, either psychologically or on the material level."

Chopra has one credit card, never carries more than $300 and ensures that 10 percent of all his earnings goes to charity and nonprofit events or activities.

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