My observation has been, for a Guru to become “iconic” or “with adherents” or “attracting seekers” in the United States, the “successful” gurus and savants I have had the privilege of meeting were, in all cases, not divine incarnations or manifestations, nor Gods, etc., even inclusive of some who may “indirectly claim”, but are generally spiritually possessed, ranging from what some in the West would call “occultists” to "pure devotees". It is true, some mostly exhibited the demeanor to teach philosophical content based on Hindu or Vedic tradition, but most of these were not as “successful” in gathering “Western Hindus” as the “spiritually possessed” and “occultist” types.
These “successful” Gurus or savants and such, which do well in the United States, have transpersonal ability – they can cross over into the perceptions from one type of personality to the next with relative ease. While Vedanta can empower such savants with such ability, the teachings themselves most successful in “gathering devotees” or “Western Hindus” in America is without question Bhakti.
Bhakti is par excellence a natural genre for Americans. One can give or derive different reasons for this, but my 50 plus years of Hinduism can make no other conclusion. I *suspect* the reason for this is, within the path of Bhakti, an American does not have to “reject” as part of “proving to be Hindu” because total rejection of current beliefs in religion or morals is not necessary since most Americans actually already have a mindset towards Bhakti yoga, I am convinced of this and it does not matter WHICH religion they were mixed up with, Hindu Bhakti is a natural for America and Americans.
Within Bhakti, Americans actually do not “die” from the “world” – in fact the opposite, they turn their world into the realm of the Gods and enjoy everything around them, even the most simplest of things. It is like becoming an artist when yet still a child, the wonder of things is projected but also absorbed in the Bhakti world which includes the world around one.
For Americans, action is important. That is why to be a successful Guru from India in America, it isn’t a question of the “faith of the worshippers” but the “actions of the worshippers” who are engaged and fervent when dipped in the nectar of devotion, this is a SURE ATTRACTION for Americans. Actionable devotion, and very important the singing of bhajans. It isn’t a “philosophy” of alteration of the current condition – it is an ALTERED STATE in itself in real time. ALTERED in the sense that the REALITY of the fervent leelas are an ALTERNATIVE to the boredom of just philosophy with no action.
Action AWAKES Energies. Americans are not interested in words, unless it is a story that takes one from one place and places you in another and then engages actionable AWAKENING. Americans EXPECT this from an Indian Guru or Savant. Not that they want to dictate the terms, but a successful Guru certainly will GET THEIR ATTENTION if using this ABILITY.
Americans like to MEET others. This includes, of course – Gods. It is not so much "Neti Neti"—"not this, not that", but rather "who is coming for dinner?"... THAT is the way for an Indian Guru or Savant to be “successful” in America. Americans are not so much interested in the “unknowable” but rather they want to get PERSONAL. Having “a relationship” or fun etc. “I am the light of lights” needs to be translated into American as “I want to DANCE in the Light”, or “I am the sun” needs to be translated into “I want to KISS the Sun!”.
Then you WILL be a “successful” Indian Guru in America.
In America, the “Everything is God” needs to be translated as “You can have God even in the Ridiculous. It’s ok. In fact, the Ridiculous is God.”
Now I know what I am saying might be controversial. But it might be helpful to Gurus from India who want to be "successful" in America. Part 1.
These “successful” Gurus or savants and such, which do well in the United States, have transpersonal ability – they can cross over into the perceptions from one type of personality to the next with relative ease. While Vedanta can empower such savants with such ability, the teachings themselves most successful in “gathering devotees” or “Western Hindus” in America is without question Bhakti.
Bhakti is par excellence a natural genre for Americans. One can give or derive different reasons for this, but my 50 plus years of Hinduism can make no other conclusion. I *suspect* the reason for this is, within the path of Bhakti, an American does not have to “reject” as part of “proving to be Hindu” because total rejection of current beliefs in religion or morals is not necessary since most Americans actually already have a mindset towards Bhakti yoga, I am convinced of this and it does not matter WHICH religion they were mixed up with, Hindu Bhakti is a natural for America and Americans.
Within Bhakti, Americans actually do not “die” from the “world” – in fact the opposite, they turn their world into the realm of the Gods and enjoy everything around them, even the most simplest of things. It is like becoming an artist when yet still a child, the wonder of things is projected but also absorbed in the Bhakti world which includes the world around one.
For Americans, action is important. That is why to be a successful Guru from India in America, it isn’t a question of the “faith of the worshippers” but the “actions of the worshippers” who are engaged and fervent when dipped in the nectar of devotion, this is a SURE ATTRACTION for Americans. Actionable devotion, and very important the singing of bhajans. It isn’t a “philosophy” of alteration of the current condition – it is an ALTERED STATE in itself in real time. ALTERED in the sense that the REALITY of the fervent leelas are an ALTERNATIVE to the boredom of just philosophy with no action.
Action AWAKES Energies. Americans are not interested in words, unless it is a story that takes one from one place and places you in another and then engages actionable AWAKENING. Americans EXPECT this from an Indian Guru or Savant. Not that they want to dictate the terms, but a successful Guru certainly will GET THEIR ATTENTION if using this ABILITY.
Americans like to MEET others. This includes, of course – Gods. It is not so much "Neti Neti"—"not this, not that", but rather "who is coming for dinner?"... THAT is the way for an Indian Guru or Savant to be “successful” in America. Americans are not so much interested in the “unknowable” but rather they want to get PERSONAL. Having “a relationship” or fun etc. “I am the light of lights” needs to be translated into American as “I want to DANCE in the Light”, or “I am the sun” needs to be translated into “I want to KISS the Sun!”.
Then you WILL be a “successful” Indian Guru in America.
In America, the “Everything is God” needs to be translated as “You can have God even in the Ridiculous. It’s ok. In fact, the Ridiculous is God.”
Now I know what I am saying might be controversial. But it might be helpful to Gurus from India who want to be "successful" in America. Part 1.
Judging upon your essay, I suppose they are not typical for Hinduism. Why not bringing up the criteria for a successful guru in India for comparison?