A fascinating look at India’s remarkable impact on Western culture; this eye-opening popular history shows how the ancient philosophy of Vedanta and the mind-body methods of Yoga have profoundly affected the worldview of millions of Americans and radically altered the religious landscape. What exploded in the 1960s; following the Beatles trip to India for an extended stay with their new guru; Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; actually began more than two hundred years earlier; when the United States started importing knowledge--as well as tangy spices and colorful fabrics--from Asia. The first translations of Hindu texts found their way into the libraries of John Adams and Ralph Waldo Emerson. From there the ideas spread to Henry David Thoreau; Walt Whitman; and succeeding generations of receptive Americans; who absorbed India’s “science of consciousness†and wove it into the fabric of their lives. Charismatic teachers like Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda came west in waves; prompting leading intellectuals; artists; and scientists such as Aldous Huxley; Joseph Campbell; Allen Ginsberg; J. D. Salinger; John Coltrane; Dean Ornish; and Richard Alpert; aka Ram Dass; to adapt and disseminate what they learned from them. The impact has been enormous; enlarging our current understanding of the mind and body and dramatically changing how we view ourselves and our place in the cosmos. Goldberg paints a compelling picture of this remarkable East-to-West transmission; showing how it accelerated through the decades and eventually moved from the counterculture into our laboratories; libraries; and living rooms. Now physicians and therapists routinely recommend meditation; words like karma and mantra are part of our everyday vocabulary; and Yoga studios are as ubiquitous as Starbuckses. The insights of India’s sages permeate so much of what we think; believe; and do that they have redefined the meaning of life for millions of Americans—and continue to do so every day. Rich in detail and expansive in scope; American Veda shows how we have come to accept and live by the central teaching of Vedic wisdom: “Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.â€
#560493 in Books Desmond Tutu 2005-04-26 2005-04-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .44 x 5.50l; .32 #File Name: 0385483716160 pagesGod Has a Dream A Vision of Hope for Our Time
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very Inspiring...But Not For Hellfire Damnation ChristiansBy gailI loved this book! It really helped me! I've often had many anger issues; and this book really helped me put things in perspective. I really loved his analogy that one day we'll see each other as we really are--beings of light; and we'll see how beautiful we are. We'll no longer see skin color or weight gain or other physical blemishes.I had seen Desmond Tutu on a Prime documentary...I forgot what it was called now. He had seemed like a very joyous person. This book supposedly reiterates a lot of what he has said in other books. This was the first book of his that I have ever read. However; I personally don't think it hurts to repeat these messages.Desmond Tutu is a progressive Christian. Though he believes many messages in the bible are good; he also seems to believe that as the bible was the interpretation of people of God's words; that some of the messages are incorrect. Tutu's God is a loving; compassionate God. He embraces everyone regardless of race; gender; and sexual orientation. Tutu's God is one that wishes freedom and equality for everyone. People who take the bible literally are probably going to object to many of his views.The man's vision is infectious. With all the things that go on in the world; it is easy to lose hope...to believe that is just how things are; so what is the point? Yet; Tutu shows many examples that things are improving despite all the horrible things that are still happening. He gives a message of hope that our dreams are very possible. It may not happen in our time; but it will happen...and that it is worth fighting for. The dream is beautiful and worth believing in. I have felt renewed. My anger has diminished profoundly with this idea.I would love to meet this man and thank him for how much he has helped me!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. REAL Hope From a REAL Man of GodBy wandering monkI have been a prolific reader most of my long life; and I've never read a book I would truly consider; "Life changing;" until I read Desmond Tutu's "God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time." And it appears I'm in good company. If you scope the book cover; you will read glowing recommendations by Nelson Mandela; Jimmy Carter and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I have never read a man of God who could explain so many deep; urgent Spiritual truths using such plain; understandable words. Time and time again I have looked up from this book; with the light-bulb clicked "ON" above my head; and called across the living room to my wife; "No-one ever explained it like this to me before!" Yes; this book by Desmond Tutu has changed my life forever - and I'm not even all the way through! If you're serious about your spiritual walk; no matter what your religon; I have no doubt this work will deeply affect you; if you give it a chance. Imagine what could happen if every head of state and every religous authority had a copy of "God Has a Dream" placed in their hands!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Biblical essence boiled down into 144 quite readable pagesBy Donna AnastasiArchbishop Tutu had a wonderful; welcoming writing style that flows almost like poetry. Each chapter starts with the phrase "Dear Child of God" and the reader is given a tremendous reminder of his or her full worth. A central theme throughout is that none of us is excluded whether we know it or not; accept or reject it. We; all of humankind; are family. And treating one another not just as equals; but as family is God's Dream.Other themes in this book are the nature of God; our relationship with God; and why God needs us to fulfill His dream. Suffering and growth is another topic. Also weaved into this work is the concept that we are built to be free; it's in our DNA; this not only allows us to choose God and therefore have a true relationship; but also means that every unjust regime will eventually "in the fullness of time" be toppled. This is discussed with the backdrop of Tutu's experiences living through and overcoming Apartheid.All of this fits neatly into a small; 144 page package. I'm on my second reading (right in a row) of Tutu's fine work; and I know that with a selected few other's this will be a book I keep reading throughout my whole life.
