In contemporary American culture, the word guru has become a catchall term for experts, influencers, and self-proclaimed authorities on everything from business to personal development. Today the term shares an uncomfortable proximity with connotations that are…less than upright. Yet in the Indic traditions from which the term originates, the guru has historically occupied a far more profound role—as someone who takes on tremendous responsibility for their students’ psycho-spiritual growth.

In her T&Q piece—Reduce Until Identity is Challenged—Akshata Rangarajan points out an interesting irony. In a way, what the term guru signifies in modern American culture is almost the exact opposite of its traditional meaning.

What did it traditionally mean to be a guru, and how has that understanding changed as the concept entered American culture? Also, in what ways has America evolved via its interaction with the wisdom traditions of the East? In this interactive session, we'll explore the origins and significance of the guru in Indic traditions and trace the influence of Indian spiritual teachers and philosophies on modern American life, from the cultural impact of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Chögyam Trungpa to the life journeys of industry luminaries like Steve Jobs and Rick Rubin. Through presentation and group discussion, we'll consider what America has gained, lost, and transformed in its encounter with these traditions.