Hell, well I wasn't quite sure where to post this. The Buddhism board, the hippie board, History board...I guess any of those would have worked but time is kind of a critical factor here so I came to RT in hopes more people that have something to contribute will glance over this... I'm writing a paper for my "Religions of the World," I came up with my own topic.... The influence of Eastern religions on the Counter Culture of the 1960s. I'd like to ask folks here who are some people, some things they've done, or stuff they've wrote that pertain to Buddhism and Hinduism but not limited to those two Eastern religions. Or really any event of the hippie movement that clearly is associated with Eastern religious concepts.... Also I'd welcome opinions about any of this to maybe include in my paper. I guess this is sort of cheating, but I really just want ideas and reminders of anything related to this that I could include in my paper. I've started off with the hippie movements root in the Beat Generation, with Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Kerouac being ripe with Eastern influence.... Thanks?
I don't know if you're considering India to be Eastern- If you are definitely check out the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Transcendental Meditation, and The Beatles. When The Beatles went to study with him it really helped to legitimize meditation among the Counter Culture of the 60's.
Yes, I was thinking about putting that in my paper. Thank you. But it helps totally to have the correct terminology.
Many inner-city blacks back in the 1960s embraced Buddhism through the practice and discipline of martial arts. It was a way to strengthen their mind and body Hotwater
Ram Dass had an enormous influence among my friends in the Boston Area. His book, "Be Here Now" certainly expanded my mind, altho I ended up a Buddhist, not a Hindu. Remember that Ram Dass started out as Richard Alpert, a scientist who worked closely with Tim Leary.
I agree with Kevin H. When the Beatles hooked up with the Maharishi, the 60s became inundated with Eastern mysticism, everything from incense to young people reading Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha". Today, even 2 or 3 notes of sitar music carry me back to swaying in a candle-lit , incense and weed-filled room, wearing colors of saffron, indian sandals and "flower power" was fueled with the same idealism as Buddism. To say Eastern religion influenced the subcultural phenom. of the 60's is an understatement. And it was quite lovely...
