I would rather talk with the Dalai Lama than with Deepak Chopra

For me the difference between the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra is - or seems to be - motive. Where the Dalai Lama is convincing as a selflessly spiritual and religious leader, Deepak Chopra comes across as a normal human being trying to make a living.

From a spiritual perspective it's a question of purity: the Dalai Lama seems pure, humble, honest etc. He convinces, inspires and motivates - precisely because he stands for something extraordinary. He stands for being peaceful and kind, even when it doesn't pay. I don't know whether it would pay to fight the Chinese occupation of Tibet with violence - perhaps not.

Still - whatever the politics of it - the Dalai Lama is the real thing: a spiritual leader, teacher, who stands for principles and truth, for compassion and turning the other cheek.

Deepak Chopra is so much more normally human. Much of what he does is clearly motivated by making money.

Compare the books below - generated from a search for the author name.

The Dalai Lama books are all about things like how to live your best life in a spiritual sense: be happy, dealing with conflict etc.

Deepak Chopra is famous for having been one of the first to interpret quantum mechanics spiritually. But when it comes to spiritual practice, he comes short. He talks about the much more mundane themes of success, health etc. Not that there's anything wrong with all that, but it's just not that revolutionary.