He may not be the first physician in America to extol alternative medicine, but no one wrote about it so elegantly and convincingly as Deepak Chopra, did over 25 years ago in his perennial bestseller, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. Holistic health was a new phrase then; today, across America and Canada, some of the best known physicians including Andrew Weil recommend a holistic way of life to their patients.

Chopra, who began his spiritual journey with the Transcendental Meditation program, branched off on his own to pursue mind-body treatment.

He found himself turning his back on the Western system of medicine. He decried the over-emphasis on medical drugs, declaring that Colombian and Mexican cartels were not the only ones causing drug problems in America; physicians who endlessly prescribed drugs were doing great harm too.

		in his words 'There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.'

He also brought Ayurveda to the mainstream consciousness not only in America but also in Europe. The indefatigable Chopra, who has written 50 books, and produced more than 100 audio, video and CDs, has been successful wearing many hats. His newest novel, Buddha, was on The New York Times' top 20 Bestsellers List, He has also written the script for Sadhu, based on a comic book by his son Gotham, to be made into a big budget film starring Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage, who will also co-produce.

Chopra travels across the globe talking about inner peace and a healthy body. His work has been translated into 50 languages and boasts worldwide sales of over 20 million copies. Among his best known titles are The Soul's Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries, and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

That he is a versatile writer is obvious when one considers the range of subjects he has taken on -- from ethical business, to healthy eating. He has also addressed issues that concern teens most in Fire in the Heart: A Spiritual Guide for Teens.

A fierce critic of the war in Iraq, Chopra started Alliance for Humanity three years ago. He is also accelerating a worldwide movement called Satsang–Simran–Seva (Connect–Communicate/Inspire–Support), bringing together people and organizations.

His mission is to transform the world for the better. And he's made a very good start.