South African followers turn on Deepak Chopra after Epstein emails

Self-help guru Deepak Chopra has denied any wrongdoing following the emergence of controversial emails with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparking outrage among his South African followers who once revered his spiritual teachings, POST has reported.

Chopra last visited South Africa in 2015.

The emails were revealed in newly released files from a United States government investigation into Epstein. The documents have implicated numerous high-profile individuals, prompting renewed scrutiny of past associations with the disgraced financier.

In a statement posted on X, Chopra denied any involvement in criminal activity.

“I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms. I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct.

“Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity. Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time. My focus remains on supporting accountability, prevention, and efforts that protect and support survivors,” Chopra wrote.

According to bbc.com, the files appear to reveal communication between Epstein and Chopra years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from minors.

In one email dated February 2017, Chopra appears to invite Epstein on a trip to Israel with an unnamed group.

“Come to Israel with us,” Chopra writes. “Relax and have fun with interesting people. [If] you want, use a fake name. Bring your girls. It will be fun to have you. Love.”

In another alleged exchange a month later, the two men reportedly discuss metaphysical ideas before Chopra writes:

“Cells are human constructs. No such thing! Universe is human construct. No such thing. Cute girls are aware when they make noise.”

Later in the thread, Chopra adds:

“God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”

Epstein then reportedly asks:

“Did you find me a cute Israeli?”

As the fallout from Epstein’s case continues and the government releases millions of documents, the list of influential figures linked to him continues to grow.

While being mentioned in the documents does not in itself imply misconduct, many prominent individuals have already publicly denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.

Others named in the files include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Richard Branson and Sarah Ferguson.

In South Africa, public response has been swift and unrelenting.

Gaishrie Sharon Singh, a transformational catalyst, metaphysicist, writer and published author, reflected on her former admiration for Chopra:

“In the 1990s, just as I began my journey of inner transformation, I attended a practitioner training with Deepak Chopra, and I felt deeply privileged and honoured to be in his presence, absorbing wisdom that seemed to align so beautifully with my spiritual path. For years afterwards, I held his work in the highest regard.

“I was shattered yesterday when I read the emails between him and Jeffrey Epstein. I was stunned. Although Chopra has since apologised for the tone of his messages and stated that he did not participate in any wrongdoing, those explanations feel hollow. Words carry energy, intention, and moral weight. His own description of his ‘tone’ reveals a level of comfort and tolerance that, in my view, implicitly condoned Epstein’s behaviour.

“In that sense, whether through silence, softness, or misplaced camaraderie, it reflects a form of complicity. What he says now cannot erase what was revealed then.”

Yogin Devan, a media consultant and social commentator, added:

“Hence I have always maintained you must not enslave yourself to so-called living gurus or yogis or mystics. They are all snake oil salesmen. Believe in yourself. You are the captain of your own destiny.”

und their names linked to the notorious financier, prompting a reckoning over past associations.

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