Evolution of Eastern Teachings in the West

Ep 226 Keen on Yoga Podcast Mick Brown Mick Brown discusses his book 'The Nirvana Express', which chronicles the West's engagement with Indian spirituality from the mid-19th century to the present. He explores key figures such as Edwin Arnold, Krishnamurti, Meher Baba, and Osho, highlighting their influence on Western perceptions of Eastern teachings. The discussion also touches on the impact of psychedelics in the 1960s and the ongoing legacy of these spiritual traditions in contemporary society. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/mick-brown/ | @mickbrownwriter https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/the-nirvana-express/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nirvana-Express-Search-Enlightenment-Went/dp/1805260197 LISTEN ON PODCAST Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keen-on-yoga-podcast/id1509303411 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iM9lcw52JskHUZ2eFvVxN WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@keenonyoga SUPPORT KEEN ON YOGA Subscribe, like and share our videos Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf Patrons €10 per month: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ FOLLOW ADAM https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga Website: www.keenonyoga.com Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Nirvana Express 01:02 The Historical Context of Indian Spirituality in the West 03:00 Edwin Arnold and Early Influences 05:51 The Role of Gurus and Spiritual Teachers 10:03 Theosophy and Krishnamurti's Impact 15:00 Mahar Baba and His Followers 20:01 Aleister Crowley and the Occult 24:56 Alan Bennett: The First English Buddhist Monk 29:53 Ramana Maharshi: A Different Kind of Guru 34:11 Somerset Maugham and Ramana Maharshi 36:06 The Influence of Ramana Maharshi 36:12 The Complexities of Modern Gurus 38:37 Psychedelics and Eastern Spirituality 44:07 Osho: The Controversial Guru 51:57 The Paradoxes of Spiritual Teachers 59:06 Reflections on Spirituality and Influence Key Points • The book explores the West's engagement with Indian spirituality since the mid-19th century. • Edwin Arnold's 'The Light of Asia' was pivotal in introducing Buddhism to the West. • Theosophy played a significant role in shaping Western perceptions of Eastern spirituality. • Krishnamurti's rejection of theosophy marked a significant shift in spiritual teachings. • Meher Baba attracted a following of influential women in the early 20th century. • Aleister Crowley was a complex figure who blended Eastern and Western esoteric traditions. • Paul Brunton introduced key Indian figures to the West, including Ramana Maharshi. • The 1960s saw a surge in interest in Eastern spirituality, fueled by psychedelics. • Osho's community in Oregon became infamous for its controversial practices and lifestyle. • The conversation highlights the ongoing influence of Eastern teachings in contemporary Western spirituality.