13 Nov 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Indian Vedantic teachings are influencing the Western culture in a big way ” stresses Mr. Philip Goldberg- a great American Spiritual Counselor and Meditation Teacher during a “Discourse” at Amity University
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organized a Discourse on the topic “ India’s Remarkable Impact on Western Culture” by Mr. Philip Goldberg- A great American Spiritual Counselor, Meditation Teacher and Ordained Interfaith Minister at Amity Campus, Sector- 125, Noida.
Philip Goldberg has authored/co-authored 19 books on Spirituality, Psychology, Human Potential and Holistic Health. He earnestly pursues his lifelong quest for higher awareness and intimacy with the Divine and it remains his highest priority. He recently completed the research and writing of American Veda, which covers the history and influence of India’s spiritual teachings in America.
Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group welcomed the prolific speaker and stressed that India may not be economically strong but it is a Spiritual Powerhouse , showing way to rest of the countries. India and Indians have the solution to every problem and all Amitians have single minded mission to make India the best country in the world.
The Discourse provided an insight into India’s remarkable impact on western culture and how India’s ancient wisdom has permeated into lives, including many of the self- improvement teachings that have benefitted millions.
Mr. Goldberg stated that couple of years ago the vast and diverse Indian spiritual teachings including the core teachings of Vedanta Philosophy started filtering into America through Indian Gurus and religious books and affected the institutions of American life in numerous ways, bringing about positive changes in the collective life in the West. Precepts of Vedanta and Yoga were well accepted in West because of their universality. America has changed in subtle and profound ways during last 40-50 years. American Artists, Medical Researchers, Educators, and Scientists- all were influenced and spread Indian culture and spirituality amongst many more people beyond their immediate association. American Psychologists explored the Indian models of consciousness and American doctors, realizing the efficacy of Indian Ayurveda and Meditation, started recommending the same to their patients.
He narrated how Swami Vivekananda and Shri Paramhansa Yogananda propagated the teachings of Vedanta in America and remarked that the Indian Gurus in America adapted their language and form of delivery as per the American context without diluting the actual essence of the Sanatan Dharma.
He illustrated with numerous examples how the influence of India and America reverberated back and forth across the globe. He shared that the first translation of Indian texts and commentaries was done in England, at the time period when the great author Ralph Waldo Emerson was a boy. His works reflected the influence of Indian and Buddhist texts Ralph Waldo Emerson influenced numerous writers in America including Henry David Thoreau who extolled the virtues of Indian thinking and was, indeed, the first public person to call himself a “Yogi”. He read Gita everyday, which made Gita famous amongst the youth of the country. All these influences affected the Western Culture and facilitate the dissimilation of Sanatan Dharma into West and it did not conflict with Science, History or modern knowledge.
Mr. Goldberg shared that in 2009, the famous American Magazine “Newsweek” carried a short essay titled “We are all Hindus now” which received lot of attention because of the provocative title. In fact, the essay corroborated the recent research which found that conceptually, Americans are more like Hindus and less like Christians. Over 70% of the Americans, now, have been following the core concepts of Sanatan Dharma which have filtered into American life over the years and would agree that there are many ways to realize that Almighty and connect with Inner Self.
He concluded by referring to the great British Historian, Dr Arnold Toynbee who once said "It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way."