Spiritualism is not a preoccupation of the human mind in India; rather, it is a legacy as well as a continuing tradition. Spiritual qualities have made significant contributions to Indian culture, channeling the energy of the Indians throughout the years. As a result, spiritually inclined Indians have been able to keep their Indianness, which would not have been possible otherwise. It was also conceivable since Indian life is characterized by a temperament that is strongly associated with spiritualism. These spiritual roots are now visible in the west too, especially among the Americans. American Travelers who come to India by booking international flights to India from USA have always had an eye on the Indian spirituality & consciousness as they are fed up with the materialistic things & fast paced-hectic life.
The concept of Spirituality:
India has a strong spiritual history from the Vedic era. The Indian scriptures, which span a wide range of human emotions and aspirations, have also made a significant contribution to Indian spiritualism. As a result, India has long had a revered standing around the globe. The growth of Indian spiritualism may be traced back to the Vedic era, which was spiritually coded, and the same spirit was nourished by great spiritual philosophers such as Yajnavalkya, Maitereyi, Gargi, and Nachiketas.
As a result, the Indians produced numerous philosophical and spiritual ideas and provided the world with the greatest number of spiritual systems in the form of philosophical ideas such as Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Yoga, and Vedanta. The Vedas give Indians spiritual orientation by teaching them the fundamentals of a spiritual and moral existence. As a result, the Vedic rishis should be recognized as the world’s first spiritual masters, as their mantras reverberate with the seed of spiritualism, and the Indian country as the spiritualism’s cradle. Spiritualism is not a mental fixation in India; rather, it is a legacy as well as a continuing practice.
How the Idea of Spirituality enlightened the Americans :
Americans who always take pride in their culture & history, always want to compare things whether it is today’s technology or delivering the best travel offers worldwide. But soon their consciousness & awareness regarding the real purpose of life rose when they meet Indian spiritual leaders & philosophers.
The long line of Swamis, Gurus, and Yogacharyas who migrated to the West, beginning with Swami Vivekananda in 1893, has been the principal route of distribution. Most Indians are aware of his electric appearance at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. The World’s Parliament of Religions, a gathering of practitioners of many religious traditions held in Chicago in 1893, was the first time the American public learned publicly about Hinduism. It was during this period that the American public first saw and heard individuals of “Eastern” religions, such as Hindus and Buddhists, on their soil.
But his legacy was cemented in the years that followed, when he collected pupils, composed classic texts, delivered hundreds of talks (many of which were recorded into books), and founded the Vedanta Society, a teaching institution that still serves Americans today.
Other instructors followed, notably Ramakrishna Mission swamis who taught Vedanta to thousands of Americans, including some of our country’s most distinguished intellectuals. In 1920, Paramahansa Yogananda arrived and rapidly became known as “the first superstar guru of the twentieth century,” according to the Los Angeles Times. He was the first Indian diplomat to make America his home and worldwide headquarters. His Self-Realization Fellowship is still going strong, and his memoir, Autobiography of a Yogi, has inspired and enlightened millions since its release in 1952.
Scientists such as Nikola Tesla, Erwin Schrodinger, Robert Oppenheimer, and Fritjof Capra spread Vedic concepts, while psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Richard Alpert (who became Ram Dass) promoted East-West integration in the study of the mind and consciousness. In medicine, doctors like Dean Ornish accomplished the same thing, helping to legitimate meditation and other yogic practices.
Hollywood Celebrities’ devotion to Indian Spirituality:
Another big reason of interest for Americans who are curious about visiting India by international flights to India from USA is to discover inner peace & purpose through spirituality. The number of Hindu superstars in Hollywood might surprise you. Several well-known actors, musicians, public leaders, and athletes practice Hinduism in their daily lives and spiritual beliefs. Some of these celebrities were born into Hindu families, while others converted once they were older.
Who is the most well-known Hindu celebrity? Julia Roberts changed from Christianity to Hinduism while filming the 2010 film Eat, Pray, Love. Many well-known Hindus are musicians. In the mid-1960s, George Harrison switched from Christianity to Hinduism. M.I.A., Kal Penn, Russel Brand, Hugh Jackman, Miley Cyrus, Will Smith, and Jerry Garcia are among the other well-known practitioners of Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma.
Westerners traveling to India in search of spiritual enlightenment:
For those early Westerners who delved deeply into spiritual matters, India offered a very distinct spiritual experience with the best travel offers to this majestic country. They began to learn about the master’s works and stories. These are frequently astonishing anecdotes that speak to the science of spirituality as studied by beings that have gained a degree of human ability that is yet little understood. The facts and experiences revealed in the seminal book Autobiography of a Yogi (which I believe every individual in the world should read) began to pique the interest of genuine seekers of enlightenment. People commonly knew that Steve Jobs often carried this book with him.
India has long been a breeding ground for spiritual science, as practiced via meditation and a variety of other means. I can confidently state that India IS the birthplace of meditation.
It’s no surprise that individuals from all over the world have flocked to what must have appeared to be an exotic and strange region in quest of cosmic consciousness.
Some people discovered it. Many people did not.
The reason behind the increase in foreign Immigrants in India:
You can see the rationale in history going back about 50 years.
Many rockstars and celebrities visited Rishikesh during the flower power era (the hippie age, the rock and roll era) in quest of calm and to practice meditation. The Beatles, Mia Farrow, and Mick Jagger are among them.
As a result, Rishikesh became the hub for Meditation & Yoga. Tourists all around the world especially from America land in India with the USA to India air tickets to indulge themselves in meditation & spirituality. As a result, its renown expanded and grew.
Other variables that contribute include the pleasant weather and allure of the foothills of the great Himalayas, as well as hikes and trails.
In terms of rivalry, Mathura and Vrindavan are up against Varanasi, which has a mystical allure for foreign tourists interested in Hinduism. Given that the majority of tourists have an insatiable appetite for it, Varanasi easily wins, leaving only a little trickle of tourists in Mathura and Vrindavan. A trip to India with international flights to India from USA would be incomplete if you did not see the beauty and wealth of these architectural marvels.
Conclusion:
Many observers have observed that some Americans adopt dharmic concepts without recognizing or even acknowledging the source. Those who care about the Vedic tradition must be aware of the issue and take action to address it. One of the reasons that developed American Veda was to address this issue. Fortunately, millions of Americans regard India and its traditions as sacred, and they are grateful to the rishis who understood and conveyed the everlasting truths of Sanatana Dharma to the world. They acknowledge the critical need to carefully adapt Vedic and yogic information to prevent its dilution, perversion, or distortion in America. We can guarantee that the Vedic transmission that began two centuries ago continues to bless the American people by remaining vigilant. In exchange for this wonderful gift, I hope America can provide something of worth to India.
Also Read: 8 Important Religious Sites Of Indian Religions