HINDUISM IN THE WESTERN CONTEXT AND THE EMERGENCE OF HINDU-INSPIRED RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
HINDUISM IN THE WESTERN CONTEXT AND THE EMERGENCE OF HINDU-INSPIRED RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

Summary/Abstract: Indian mysticism is a fundamental element of India's spiritual ethos, having a long and deep history in shaping the cultural identity of the subcontinent. This phenomenon is mainly articulated through the guru, a central figure who functions as an intermediary between the divine and the human. In this analysis, we explore how Sri Chinmoy and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi reinterpreted and adapted the traditions of Indian mysticism to respond to modern and cross-cultural conditions. Sri Chinmoy, exemplified in the text by his spiritual journey from monastic discipline to founding a global movement, illustrates personal transformation through sadhana (spiritual practice) and how it can facilitate a deep union with divinity. Through his extensive work, including writings and the arts, he demonstrates how mysticism can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. On the other hand, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced Transcendental Meditation as an accessible methodology intended to bring tangible benefits such as stress reduction and improved mental health. This practice emphasizes an important aspect of Indian mysticism: the ability to harmonize the spiritual with the everyday, promoting a nondualistic view that the absolute and the relative coexist. Both spiritual figures emphasize the need to overcome the individual ego and achieve a state of expansive consciousness, where the individual and the divine become one. It reflects a central theme in Indian mysticism – self-transcendence and self-realization, which remains relevant in the contemporary global context. Thus, our analysis provides insight into how Indian mysticism continues to shape and inspire spiritual quest worldwide.

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