Your Life is in Your Hands: The Path to Lasting Health and Happiness

Deepak Chopra's father, a cardiologist, adds yet another book to the sagging shelves filled with volumes that bring Eastern philosophies to bear on the dilemmas of life and health in Western society. In a foreword, Deepak Chopra calls his father's wisdom a major influence on his own life. Like his son, the elder Dr. Chopra believes that mind and body are one, that well-being is a matter of individual choice and that yoga, meditation and other such techniques can help balance frenetic, stress-ridden modern lives. Unfortunately, Chopra pere's presentation has a quaint, almost dated flavor. Attempting to encompass physical, spiritual and moral guidance, his book, while comforting, is the eclectic self-help equivalent of an old-fashioned general store. It jostles together warnings against the risks of tobacco use and explanations of dharma, praise for such virtues as self-discipline and discussions of aerobic exercise. Much ground is covered, but few new or detailed suggestions are offered. Recommendations aimed at helping readers to ""eat right, act right, and above all think right""--get a good night's sleep, for example--often are both obvious and vague. Chopra's voice is charming and his tone warm. Ultimately, however, his pleasant book adds little to subjects already covered, in greater depth or with more specialized expertise, by a score of other authors. $50,000 ad/promo. (Feb.)