The Rise of Eastern Spirituality in the West: A Study of Factors Contributing to Its Development

Abstract

This article explores the factors affecting the rise of Eastern spirituality in the West, post-Second World War, including psychologization, countercultural, and non-religious spirituality, as well as the confluence of the New Age Movements, which began gradually at the end of the 19th century and expanded significantly in the mid-20th century. It also examines the cultural environment in the West during that time that contributed to this growing interest in Eastern spiritual traditions. As we know, humans are not content with simply living their lives; they want to understand the meaning and purpose of their existence, which involves the intellect, psychology, and environmental changes around them. In the Western case, psychological development played a key role in spiritual and mystical attraction, leading to non-religious spirituality. It finally became the cause of its tendency toward Eastern spirituality.