Foundation in Focus: In the end, it's just a conversation
Oct. 18, 2022 is a day that I will never forget. It is a day that profoundly changed my life. It was the day I had the unbelievable privilege and honor of meeting and interviewing Dr. Deepak Chopra. I am still pinching myself.
When my principal at NAHS, Mr. Kraemer, first asked me to interview Dr. Chopra, I was so excited. I had recently completed a college essay about why I was considering journalism as a major. Being naturally curious about people and their stories, this would be the most fantastic way to start out as a reporter, interviewing one of the most prolific medical and spiritual minds in the world.
As the adrenaline wore off, terror set in. What could I possibly explore that he had not been interviewed about before? After speaking with my parents, I decided that the best interview would come from being myself and asking questions that the audience (high school seniors, just like me) might want to know.
I had the assignment, and now on to the research.
I read several of Dr. Chopra's books to learn about his background and meditation philosophy. Did you know that he has written over 90 books? By the time we got to the interview, I had way more questions than I would need. I had practiced for weeks, yet I was still nervous.
The New Albany Foundation made an opportunity for us to meet backstage, and that helped a lot. Dr. Chopra was very welcoming. He said, "It's only conversation." I liked the sound of that and tried to relax.
The interview was terrific, and as much as I thought I knew about Dr. Chopra, I learned much more.
Foundation in Focus:New Albany thrives because residents are engaged
A few things, in particular, stuck with me.
He communicates well by providing support for his ideas and has a story to go with most of his points. Even the shoes on his feet came with an amazing backstory of a monastery in a faraway land. He learned humility by living among people who took a vow of silence and how the richness of your life isn't about the things you have, but the happiness you experience.
I thought a lot of his teachings would be over teenagers' heads. Still, he had a way of making his points easy to understand, like the value of meditation and quieting the mind to an audience of teens who are constantly stimulated.
Dr. Chopra is funny. He didn't take himself so seriously that he couldn't joke and tell personal stories about hanging out with Oprah.
Mostly, I learned that Dr. Chopra was right all along. Yes, he had probably done this a zillion times before, but in the end, it was a conversation.
I will never forget the experience; I imagine it will be quite a while before I have a more famous interviewee. I am grateful to NAPLS, NAHS and the New Albany Community Foundation for this remarkable opportunity.
Moreover, I’m appreciative to the Foundation for making accessible to students across central Ohio meaningful interactions with amazing thought leaders.
Carter Minor is a senior at New Albany High School.
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Foundation in Focus: In the end, it's just a conversation
