The Nirvana Express: How the Search for Enlightenment Went West

The West's fascination with Indian spirituality, from orientalism to counterculture, is explored in Mick Brown's book "The Nirvana Express," which chronicles the journey of scholars, seekers, charlatans, and saints through bestselling epic poems, murder plots, magic, and the occult.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The captivating tale of the West's enduring fascination with Indian spirituality, spanning from the Orientalism of the British Empire to the modern counterculture, unfolds in this rich narrative. In 1897, an Indian yogi captivated a bemused audience at London's Westminster Aquarium by showcasing yoga poses, marking a significant milestone in the West's exploration of Indian beliefs and practices. Four years prior, Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda delivered a profound speech at the inaugural World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where Annie Besant praised the "exquisite beauty of his spiritual message."

While the Victorians exhibited a mixture of fascination and suspicion towards Indian religious traditions, it was within two generations that a wave of young Westerners embarked on the "hippie trail," journeying to the subcontinent in search of enlightenment. Among them were the Beatles, who sought solace and guidance under the mentorship of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Journalist Mick Brown's vivid account chronicles this eccentric history, traversing through a diverse cast of scholars, seekers, charlatans, and saints. From bestselling epic poems on the Buddha to murder plots, magic, and the occult, The Nirvana Express takes readers on an exhilarating and sometimes troubling expedition through the West's quest for spiritual fulfillment.

Weight: 814g
Dimension: 239 x 164 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805260196