Deepak Chopra, the celebrity alternative medicine advocate and author, maintained an active intellectual correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein spanning from 2013 to 2022, remarkably continuing more than three years after Epstein's 2019 death. This may reflect either archived emails or correspondence with Epstein associates. The archive contains 6,335 emails across 2,797 threads, making Chopra one of Epstein's most frequent correspondents. However, this count appears to include mass-marketing newsletters: Urban Zen promotional emails from 2010 advertising Chopra events alongside Arianna Huffington were found in Epstein's inbox years before any direct correspondence began, so the email count may reflect subscriptions and forwarded threads rather than solely active personal exchange.
Their relationship centered on consciousness studies, quantum physics, meditation research, and neuroscience, with Chopra regularly visiting Epstein's Manhattan townhouse for meetings that were carefully coordinated through assistants. Chopra also introduced Epstein to scientists and invited him to exclusive academic and social events. Epstein offered financial support for Chopra's research projects and appeared genuinely engaged in their philosophical discussions. More troublingly, the correspondence reveals Chopra's awareness that Epstein traveled with young women — Chopra wrote that "The girls might enjoy it" when inviting Epstein's entourage to a Canadian retreat, and readily accepted when Epstein offered to "send two girls" to one of Chopra's Wall Street events, responding "Need names ASAP." While their correspondence reveals no evidence of knowledge of or participation in Epstein's criminal activity with minors, it documents how a convicted sex offender cultivated relationships with prominent intellectuals to rehabilitate his reputation — and how Chopra showed no apparent concern about Epstein's pattern of surrounding himself with young women.
Background#
Deepak Chopra is a physician-turned-spiritual guru who built a multimedia empire around alternative medicine, consciousness studies, and integrative health. He founded the Chopra Foundation, Jiyo (a wellness technology company), and the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California. His work blends quantum physics concepts with Eastern spirituality, attracting both devoted followers and scientific critics. By the time of his correspondence with Epstein, Chopra was a household name, regularly appearing on PBS, speaking at major corporations like Google and Morgan Stanley, and publishing bestselling books including "The Healing Self." His email signature consistently promoted his various ventures and latest publications, reflecting an entrepreneurial approach to his spiritual brand.
However, Chopra's financial situation may have created vulnerability to wealthy patronage. In correspondence about creating a new conference, Chopra revealed that his existing "Sages and Scientists" conference was losing money. He proposed philosophical questions like "Where do ideas come from? How is a thought produced?" for a potential Epstein-backed event. Epstein responded by suggesting "Sci Woo" — a play on Google's Science Foo Camp — and asked Chopra to "curate 20 of the best on your team." This reveals that while Chopra projected success, he was actively seeking financial backing for his intellectual ventures.
Early Connection#
The relationship began no later than December 2013, though Urban Zen newsletters from November-December 2010 promoting Chopra events were already appearing in Epstein's email, which points to earlier awareness if not direct contact. By August 2016, the relationship had deepened significantly. When discussing a potential meeting with Sultan bin Sulayem (head of DP World, Dubai), Chopra wrote: "Your friend is my friend and a brother" — language that conveys a bond of considerable intimacy and trust. Chopra also wrote to Epstein after spending time with Barnaby Marsh: "Spent the afternoon with Barnaby and we both like/love you a lot" — indicating that by mid-2016, mutual friends were reinforcing the connection.
Correspondence with Epstein#
The relationship intensified over subsequent years. Their exchanges reveal Epstein as an earnest student of Chopra's ideas about consciousness and reality. Chopra would send Epstein philosophical reflections — "The universe is an experience in consciousness, known in consciousness and made out of modifications of consciousness" — alongside links to his YouTube videos on "Meta Human" philosophy and articles arguing that genes don't control human destiny.
Epstein engaged seriously with this material. When Chopra shared information about telepathy research in autistic children and "non local mind," Epstein responded with interest. In August 2017, Epstein wrote: "Happy to wire money to begin project non local" — offering to fund Chopra's consciousness research. Chopra replied cautiously: "Let meet first to discuss protocol / When? / Love" — a response that suggests awareness of the implications of accepting money directly from Epstein. Epstein followed up by inviting Chopra to his New Mexico ranch to discuss the project, writing "you are welcome at the ranch." While no direct evidence of money changing hands between Epstein and Chopra was found, Epstein did provide indirect financial support.
Financial Entanglements#
Epstein's patronage of Chopra's world extended beyond offers. In April 2017, Epstein instructed his executor Richard Kahn to "send 50k from foundation" to support the Science of Consciousness conference in San Diego (June 5-10, 2017). Chopra was a confirmed plenary speaker at this conference (session PL11, "Eastern Philosophy/Meditation"), also leading a pre-plenary workshop titled "The Enlightened Brain," with the "Chopra Center" maintaining a wellness space at the event. Chopra told Epstein "I have a home in La Jolla" and they coordinated meeting there. Epstein attended and stayed nearby. Epstein also told Chopra "i will see you there chomsky should be fun" — referring to linguist Noam Chomsky, who was another confirmed plenary speaker. This $50,000 donation represented a direct financial benefit to a conference prominently featuring Chopra.
Epstein also attempted to support Chopra's business ventures. Chopra's wellness technology company Jiyo was developing an insurance platform, and Epstein told Poonacha Machaiah to "send me an email that i can forward to the three chairman of the largest insurers" to pitch the product. Epstein then forwarded the Jiyo pitch to Bruce Moskowitz M.D., suggesting: "I suggest you have aaron contact poon and then bring he and deepack to both carson and bemie" — attempting to connect Chopra to major insurance industry contacts. However, when Aaron Moskowitz reviewed Jiyo for Epstein, he concluded: "This is a crowded field and difficult to gain market traction" — and the connection appears to have fizzled.
Epstein also conceived of a "Chopra Challenge" — an essay prize competition bearing Chopra's name, with Barnaby Marsh drafting details and proposed prizes of $1,000, $2,000, and $5,000. This initiative would have provided Chopra with additional intellectual prestige at Epstein's expense.
Meetings and Social Events#
Their meetings were frequent and carefully scheduled. In October 2016, Chopra attended a gathering at Epstein's townhouse alongside Ariane de Rothschild and mathematician Misha Gromov, with Epstein's assistant coordinating the timing. On October 15, 2016, Chopra had a 1:45pm appointment at the townhouse. In March 2018, Chopra visited for a 10am meeting, with his assistant noting "It's dangerous when those to fellas start talking" about keeping their schedule straight. In October 2018, Chopra had multiple appointments at 9 East 71st Street, with times shifting to accommodate Epstein's conference calls. In April 2019, they met for lunch at 12:30pm, with Chopra responding "fabulous!" to the confirmation.
Epstein also visited Chopra's California headquarters. In February 2017, Chopra invited Epstein and "Anna or others" to visit the Chopra Center during a week-long course called "Journey into Healing," offering that his "scientists MDs and researchers" could give Epstein a presentation, and mentioning that "Anna or others could get massages." In the same email, Chopra added: "Also in June I'm doing a 1 week retreat in Bamf Canada at a resort The girls might enjoy it" — demonstrating awareness that Epstein traveled with young women and actively inviting them to his events. Lesley Groff confirmed the Banff retreat ran July 3-7. When coordinating the visit, Groff specifically asked about "massages" and Chopra's assistant explained the offering included various spa treatments and emphasized the professional medical focus.
In February 2017, Chopra visited Epstein's Palm Beach home, with Epstein's driver picking him up from the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. Epstein also extended multiple invitations to his New Mexico ranch. In August 2016, Epstein invited Chopra to the ranch along with Sultan bin Sulayem, with Chopra responding: "In sure the ranch is unique - like everything about you!" In August 2017, when offering to fund the "project non local" research, Epstein again suggested they meet at the ranch to discuss details.
Chopra actively integrated Epstein into his social and intellectual circles. In September 2017, he invited Epstein as his guest to a public debate with Michael Shermer at YouTube Space for Skeptic Magazine's 25th anniversary, noting Epstein was "welcome to bring as many friends as you want." Epstein attended with at least five guests, whose names on the guest list included "Karyna, Arina, Renato" — the female names following Epstein's pattern of attending events with young women with Eastern European-sounding names. Chopra invited Epstein to a March 2018 Intelligence Squared debate titled "The More We Evolve, The Less We Need God."
The Woody Allen Dinners
Epstein repeatedly attempted to connect Chopra with director Woody Allen. In August 2016, Epstein invited Chopra: "I'm having dinner with Woody Allen at 7 pm if you like to join." Chopra couldn't attend as he was flying back the next day. In June 2017, Epstein invited Chopra to "Dinner with Woody?" — presumably Woody Allen — telling him to "Bring anyone you like."
The most detailed dinner invitation came on November 29, 2017, when Lesley Groff wrote to Chopra: "Hello Deepak...I know you are confirmed for 7pm tonight...we are hoping you will be pleased to join Jeffrey, Woody Allen and his wife, Soon Yi, as well as Miroslav Lajcak, MFA Slovakia Foreign Minister, for dinner! They will all be here as well. OK for you to come hungry?" Chopra was initially excited ("Ok / Looking forward to it") but then had to cancel because he was "delayed in Washington DC."
What happened next is revealing. Epstein offered: "woody and group leave at 9 pm if you like after?" When Chopra instead invited Epstein to a "Wall Street event on Friday," Epstein replied: "im in florida but i would like to send two girls." Chopra showed no hesitation, responding: "Please send their names to me and I will put their names as my guests" and then "Need names ASAP / Will send directions." While "girls" could refer to adult women on Epstein's staff, this language echoes Epstein's broader pattern of deploying young women socially, and Chopra's immediate, uncritical acceptance is significant.
This wasn't the only time Epstein offered to "send" someone from his staff to work with Chopra. In July 2017, discussing Chopra's Jiyo wellness products, Epstein wrote about dedicating "a member of my staff you have not met her" to learn the products, then asking "does it make sense for me to send her there for a week to go through all thestuff." Chopra offered this staff member the "Perfect Health" program — "a 1 week program that is in house and reinvents the body" — and noted: "I wish someone on your staff could have an experience of Perfect Health as well / I would like to be there as well when she comes."
When Chopra suggested dinner guests for another event, his list included Lady Gaga, Madonna, Max Tegmark, Frank Wilczek, and Woody Allen. Epstein dismissed the scientist suggestion curtly: "leave the scientists to me, max is a promoter" — revealing both his gatekeeping role and his disdainful view of scientists he didn't control. Chopra readily agreed: "Mix of scientists and artists would be great / Woody should be a draw for anyone."
Network of Scientists and Intellectuals#
Chopra facilitated introductions between Epstein and scientists. In April 2019, Epstein proposed dinner with Chopra and Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Richard Axel, with Chopra responding enthusiastically and asking Axel for his wife's email to invite her to a conference. In November 2018, Epstein invited Chopra to join him for lunch with Harvard geneticist George Church at "my istittue at harvard" [sic]. Chopra responded about filming with Al Gore but expressed interest.
The Harvard connection ran deeper. In August 2016, Epstein wrote to Chopra from Harvard: "I'm at Harvard sitting with Martin Novak who said he just received an email from you" — confirming that Chopra was independently in contact with Martin Nowak, whose Program for Evolutionary Dynamics was substantially funded by Epstein. This suggests Chopra was already embedded in Epstein's Harvard network before introducing additional scientists.
Chopra's connection to Epstein also intersected with the MIT Media Lab network that would later cause scandal. In December 2017, Chopra visited MIT Media Lab with Leena Nasser (from Harvard), meeting with Media Lab director Joi Ito to discuss inflammation research and the possibility of incubating projects at the Lab. The very next day, December 7, 2017, Chopra emailed both Joi Ito AND Jeffrey Epstein together: "I'm with Jeff / Sharing ideas / Sending regards" — confirming Chopra was meeting with Epstein while actively cultivating the MIT relationship. Ito would later resign from MIT in disgrace over his extensive financial ties to Epstein.
In December 2018, Chopra participated in discussions at MIT about virtual reality, consciousness, and artificial intelligence, with Epstein commenting on the "body mind" connections.
The consciousness research community provided another avenue for connection. When Epstein forwarded an announcement for the 2018 Science of Consciousness conference, physicist Lawrence Krauss — another Epstein associate — replied dismissively: "I told you.. crackpots!!!!" This reveals tension between Epstein's different intellectual circles, with some of his scientist contacts viewing Chopra's consciousness studies as pseudoscience.
Reputational Advice and Influence#
Their correspondence occasionally touched on personal matters. In July 2017, Chopra wrote "I'm deeply grateful for our friendship" when trying to arrange a meeting. In January 2017, after a woman (possibly introduced by Epstein) sent Chopra a grateful message, Chopra forwarded it to Epstein with the mystical note: "YOU GOD UNIVERSE ALL ONE." In August 2018, when Epstein checked in, Chopra replied: "Much to tell you / All good / I'm in flow and happy / The world seems to be falling apart / Hope to see you soon / All love from California."
Epstein sought Chopra's counsel on public appearances and also provided advice to Chopra. When Chopra was invited to speak at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Misk Global Forum in October 2018 (just 21 days after journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder) Epstein advised: "tricky. I dont think you can go. . how are you? the upside vs the down , not there." Chopra immediately accepted this guidance without pushback, responding "ok --going to Science and Non Duality conference San Jose" instead. The exchange demonstrates the depth of advisory trust and Epstein's influence over Chopra's public appearance decisions.
Elite Connections Through Epstein#
Epstein facilitated Chopra's access to wealthy and powerful individuals. In August 2016, Epstein connected Chopra with Sultan bin Sulayem, the chairman of DP World (one of the world's largest port operators) and a close associate of Dubai's royal family. The Sultan visited Chopra's Carlsbad center, where Chopra provided medical consultations and offered to review the Sultan's medical records. Epstein told a third party: "sultan was just at chopra a place" — monitoring the developing relationship. Chopra wrote to Epstein about the Sultan: "I met someone many years ago who was heading Dubai World / May be him? / Happy to meet him anytime / Your friend is my friend and a brother."
Connections#
Chopra's primary correspondent was Jeffrey Epstein himself (3,992 shared emails). His assistant Carolyn Rangel coordinated extensively (245 shared emails) with Epstein's assistants, particularly Lesley Groff (279 shared emails), to schedule visits and events. Within Chopra's own circle, Poonacha Machaiah (116 emails) worked on projects including an insurance wellness program that Epstein expressed interest in funding.
Chopra connected Epstein to a network of scientists and intellectuals including Barnaby Marsh (71 emails), Michael Shermer (46 emails), Rudolph Tanzi (40 emails), neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran (39 emails), and physicists Brian Josephson (33 emails) and David Kaiser (33 emails). Through Chopra, Epstein gained access to consciousness researchers and quantum physics theorists who lent intellectual legitimacy to his carefully curated image.
Document References#
No court documents, depositions, or law enforcement records in the archive directly mention Deepak Chopra's connection to Epstein. His name appears only in email threads preserved as PDFs in DOJ volumes, documenting the scheduling and content of their meetings. Several documents show Chopra being invited to or attending events with Epstein, including the September 2017 Skeptic Magazine event where Julie Taymor declined Epstein's invitation, and coordination around the September 2017 YouTube event requiring guest registration. An email chain about insurance wellness programs shows Epstein offering support for Chopra's Jiyo health technology platform. A forwarded message about consciousness research documents Chopra sharing updates on savant syndrome and telepathy studies with Epstein.
The Woody Allen dinner invitation and subsequent "send two girls" exchange are documented in a thread showing Epstein's social manipulation and Chopra's uncritical acceptance. The Science of Consciousness conference funding email shows Epstein's $50,000 donation to an event featuring Chopra as a plenary speaker. Documents about the proposed "Sci Woo" conference and Chopra's failing "Sages and Scientists" conference reveal Chopra's financial vulnerabilities. The email to Joi Ito places Chopra at the intersection of Epstein's MIT funding scandal.
Criminal Exposure Assessment#
Visits to Epstein properties:
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Manhattan townhouse (9 East 71st Street): At least 8 confirmed visits or scheduled appointments:
- October 9, 2016 — meeting with Ariane de Rothschild and Misha Gromov
- October 15, 2016 — 1:45pm appointment
- January 3, 2017 — 11:00am visit on way to airport
- March 23, 2018 — 10:00am meeting
- October 16, 2018 — 4:00pm appointment
- September 3, 2018 — 3:00pm appointment
- April 3, 2019 — 12:30pm lunch
- April 4, 2019 — 4:30pm meeting
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Palm Beach residence: 1 confirmed visit:
- February 11, 2017 — picked up from Miami hotel by Epstein's driver, stayed overnight
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Little St. James island: 0 confirmed visits (no evidence found)
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New Mexico ranch: 0 confirmed visits (no evidence found, though multiple invitations extended)
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Paris apartment: 0 confirmed visits (no evidence found)
Awareness of Epstein's pattern with young women: Substantial. Chopra wrote that "The girls might enjoy it" when inviting Epstein's female entourage to his Canadian retreat. When Epstein offered to "send two girls" to Chopra's Wall Street event, Chopra immediately responded "Need names ASAP" without any apparent concern. When Epstein offered to "send her", a female staff member, to spend a week at the Chopra Center, Chopra welcomed the arrangement and said he wanted to be present. The reference to "Anna or others" receiving massages suggests familiarity with Epstein having female companions. These patterns demonstrate that Chopra was aware Epstein traveled with and deployed young women socially, and Chopra actively facilitated this by inviting them to events and accepting them as guests.
Knowledge of trafficking or criminal activity with minors: None. The archive contains no evidence that Chopra had any awareness of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors. Their correspondence is relentlessly philosophical — consciousness studies, quantum mechanics, meditation research, virtual reality applications, genetics, and wellness technology. There are no references to underage girls, parties with questionable overtones, travel to Epstein's island, or anything explicitly sexual in nature. The mention of "massages" in the February 2017 exchange refers explicitly to professional spa treatments at the Chopra Center, a licensed wellness facility, with Chopra's assistant providing detailed information about legitimate therapeutic services.
The "girls" and young women in the correspondence could plausibly be adult assistants, staff members, or associates in Epstein's social circle. However, Chopra's complete lack of concern about Epstein's pattern (his readiness to invite "the girls" to retreats, accept unnamed women as event guests, and welcome female staff for week-long stays) demonstrates either willful blindness or a troubling comfort with Epstein's social dynamics.
Overall assessment: Deepak Chopra maintained a sustained intellectual friendship with a convicted sex offender from 2013 through at least 2019, visiting his home repeatedly and introducing him to prominent scientists. This relationship served Epstein's transparent goal of image rehabilitation through association with respected intellectuals. The correspondence suggests Chopra viewed Epstein as a wealthy patron genuinely interested in consciousness research — Epstein offered funding, provided a $50,000 donation to a conference where Chopra spoke, attempted to connect Chopra's business ventures to major insurance companies, and engaged substantively with philosophical questions.
The financial dimension is significant. Chopra's "Sages and Scientists" conference was losing money, creating vulnerability to Epstein's patronage. Epstein didn't just offer to fund Chopra's "project non local" research — he actually delivered $50,000 to a consciousness conference prominently featuring Chopra. He pitched Chopra's wellness technology to his contacts. He conceived of a "Chopra Challenge" essay prize. He connected Chopra to Dubai royalty for medical consultations. These weren't hypothetical offers — they were concrete benefits that Chopra received through the association.
The social dimension is more troubling. Chopra demonstrated awareness of Epstein's pattern of surrounding himself with young women ("the girls," "Anna or others," unnamed staff members to be "sent" places) and showed no hesitation in facilitating this. His immediate "Need names ASAP" response when Epstein offered to send "two girls" to his event is particularly jarring. While nothing suggests knowledge of crimes against minors, Chopra's comfort with Epstein's social patterns raises questions about judgment and boundaries.
The reputational dimension is damning. Chopra didn't just passively accept Epstein's overtures. He actively integrated Epstein into his world, inviting him to public debates, introducing him to Nobel laureates, connecting him to MIT Media Lab leadership, proposing joint conferences, and writing "I'm deeply grateful for our friendship." When Epstein advised against the Saudi Arabia appearance, Chopra immediately complied, demonstrating that he valued and followed Epstein's counsel on reputational matters even as he ignored Epstein's own reputation.
The most damning element is simply that this continued. After Epstein's 2008 conviction, after years of public reporting on his crimes, Chopra kept meeting with him, kept inviting him to events, kept treating him as a legitimate intellectual interlocutor and valued advisor. When Chopra wrote "I'm deeply grateful for our friendship" in 2017, Epstein had been a registered sex offender for nine years. When Chopra emailed Joi Ito and Epstein together in December 2017, he was simultaneously cultivating two men whose Epstein ties would later force their resignations.
Whether this reflects willful blindness, misplaced faith in redemption, attraction to Epstein's wealth and connections, or genuine belief in Epstein's intellectual interests, it demonstrates how Epstein successfully leveraged his resources to maintain relationships with celebrities who provided social legitimacy — even as he continued to present a danger to young women. Chopra's participation in this rehabilitation, while apparently well-intentioned and centered on shared intellectual interests, helped normalize a convicted sex offender's continued presence in elite social and academic circles.