How did yoga, an Eastern spiritual tradition, become so popular in the United States?
One reason is ‘the Swami who brought Vedanta to the West,’ otherwise known as Swami Vivekananda and the many other people who represented Eastern spirituality in the Western world in the last century.
The story of how yoga and meditation became so widely accepted in the US dates back more than 130 years.
Vivekananda is credited with being the first to bring the world of yoga across the ocean from India to the US. Vivekananda opened doors for other spiritual leaders like Paramahansa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Phil Goldberg, author of American Veda, which chronicles the impact of India’s spiritual teachings in the US, says of Vivekananda, “He was very ecumenical and would say that all paths lead to this same experience, and that was hugely refreshing to people. He talked about what he called toleration of religions, and it’s very moving when you read this main speech he gave. After his first speech, they had to schedule him more because of the demand, you know, the word of mouth spread, so it was very refreshing to open-minded people.”
Vivekananda comes to Chicago
Vivekananda visited Chicago both times he came to the US. The first time, in 1893, he delivered a speech at the first World’s Parliament of Religions. He spoke eloquently about the need for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism. Interestingly, we still need this message more than 130 years later.
During his visit, Vivekananda introduced the ideas of Vedanta, the ancient knowledge of India. While Vedanta comes from India, this spiritual wisdom transcends borders defined by religion, culture, race, and nationality.
What was the world like when Vivekananda came to America?
For a little context, as the Victorian age was coming to an end, working men wore the first denim jeans. The 1890s celebrated circuses, carnivals, and Vaudeville. The Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota happened in the 1890s. Industrialization brought the Gilded Age, and there was a stock market crash known as “The Panic” that led to a depression. With this in mind, imagine a young swami, the first Indian most people had ever met, stepping up to the stage in Chicago and speaking to religious leaders from around the world.
Speech delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the first World’s Parliament of Religions
Some people still credit this speech given by Swami Vivekananda as being one of the most influential speeches of the 19th century.
On September 11th, 1893, at just 30 years old, Vivekananda shared the following message at the very first World’s Parliament of Religions (included here thanks to the Art Institute Chicago)
Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world, I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.” Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
India continues to positively impact the US
The Art of Living Foundation’s senior faculty member, Michael Fischman, says, “The early writings of the transcendentalists, Vivekananda, Yogananda, and Maharishi, all contributed to spreading Eastern practices and principles in the US. But they were not the only teachers from India who came to the West”.
Today, spiritual leader and global humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has continued the mission to share spiritual wisdom from India with the US and around the world.
Since 1981, Gurudev has been teaching breath-based meditation techniques for health and well-being. Through his work, millions of people in 180 countries have found calm, peace, and resilience. While using Gandhian principles, Gurudev’s vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has helped strengthen communities in places as diverse as Colombia, India, the Ivory Coast, and North America.
And most recently, Gurudev brought the fourth installation of the World Culture Festival to Washington, DC. How history unfolds is fascinating: from the Parliament of World Religions in 19th century Chicago to the 2023 World Culture Festival that united over a million people in celebration and meditation on the National Mall. Clearly, this message transcends time.
Today’s Yoga
Today, Eastern spirituality has become widely integrated as a normal part of our modern lifestyle and culture. You can take a meditation course on a college campus, and you can enroll in a Hatha Yoga class at your local YMCA. Many companies are offering work/life balance workshops where you can learn yogic breathing techniques to help manage stress. And let’s not forget: Oprah meditates!”
From Vivekananda’s influential visits and speeches to today’s yoga world, it is nothing short of amazing! You and I can thank Vivekananda for his contributions to our spiritual progress.
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Editor’s note:
To experience Gurudev’s breath-based meditation for yourself, you can register for the Art of Living Part 1 course here.
Denise Everheart is a freelance writer, life-long meditator, SKY Breath Meditation instructor, party planner, veg chef, and recipe designer. Follow her @everheartstudio4meditation and @celeplateyourlife on Instagram.
