Thursday 25 August 2016

Spirituality, Spiritual But Not Religious in the USA, Impact of Indian Gurus and Important Spiritual Centres

Spirituality in the USA centres’ around the concept that spirituality is different from religion, with each having its own set of values with regards to cultural and social action, and how they are articulated. Mostly its’ about offering alternatives to prevailing social understandings.Spirituality in the USA, consider sthe expansive range of religious and spiritual identities and actions.However, there are many aspects of spirituality, impact by gurus and much more.

‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ in the USA
‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ is used to Identify a life stance of spirituality that takes organized religion as sole or a valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. Spirituality places emphasis on well-being of mind-body-spirit. There are many people in theUSA who believe in having a holistic approach towards religion by adding the practice of tai chi, reiki, and yoga into it in ways that helps to connect inner self of the individual. A spiritual person to elevate him/her self or connect with a higher power, believes there is more to the world than what is physically seen. He/she practices a regimen to attuning a higher state of consciousness.

Impact of Indian Gurus on Spirituality in the USA
Spread of spirituality from India to west/USA is attributed to gurus like Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda,Yogi Bhajan and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Swami Vivekananda, who’s speech in World's Parliament of Religions of 1893 swayed people towards Hinduism, and spiritualism in particular. He introduced USA citizens to yogic pathways of bhakti (devotion), jnana (intellect), karma (action), raja (meditative practice) and established Vedanta Societies in major US cities.Paramahansa Yogananda, who established the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles introduced US citizens to Kriya Yoga. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi better known as "the Beatles' guru" introduced people in USA to Transcendental Meditation. Yogi Bhajan of 3HO organization used traits of Sikhism to spread the practice of Kundalini Yoga in USA. They alongside Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual guru living in India; have helped spread spiritualism in the USA.

Important Spiritual Centres in the USA
There are many important spiritual centers across the USA.Prominent are El Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico; Shambhala Mountain Center, Colorado; Bear Butte, South Dakota; Amish Country, Northern Indiana; Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC; Festival of Faiths, Louisville, Kentucky; Islamic Center, Long Island, New York; & Temple-Tifereth Israel, Cleveland, Ohio.

Spirituality for US citizens is about different perspective towards life. Most spiritual people seek to connect with higher power/inner self and seek the help of motivator/guru to help them achieve it.

Read more spirituality articles at iam sanjeet veen

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