The Film
America’s First Guru is a compelling new documentary film by National Film Award (India) winning filmmaker Raja Choudhury, Producer David Fraunberger, and acclaimed Executive Producers Mat Tombers and Surja Bose.
The film helps audiences rediscover the nearly forgotten Indian monk who was Indian wisdom’s first and greatest ambassador to America.
America’s First Guru tells the story of Swami Vivekananda, the first Indian Yogi to bring the deeper aspects of Hinduism, Vedanta, and Yoga to the West in 1893.
The film explores his life, his epic journey to America to attend the first World’s Parliament of Religions, his impactful three-year stay (and a second, year-long visit), the charisma that attracted thousands to him – particularly women in the pre-suffragette era, New England and Mid-West Transcendentalists and Unitarians, authors, religious scholars, and artists, and the impact he had upon the American psyche and popular culture over the next century.
Swami Vivekananda had a focused dream: he would teach the perennial wisdom of India to the West, and in return, he would lift up the poor and downtrodden in India with American know-how and money. The legacy he left behind reshaped American spirituality in the 20th century, revolutionized the Indian freedom movement, and fueled the desire to become truly free in India.
Filmed in New York, Thousand Island Park, Ridgeley Manor, Chicago, Pasadena, Kolkata, and the tip of southern India at Kanyakumari and featuring interviews with leading thinkers and authors on the subject, the film will be presented to PBS audiences through WTTW Chicago.
A Unique Story
“Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy – by one, or more, or all of these – and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details.”
The film explores and uplifts several themes that are pertinent to contemporary society:
First Indian Guru in America: He was the first Indian Swami or Monk to initiate Americans into the Sanyasi tradition of India, teaching Indian Wisdom from an Indian Voice, as an Indian Yogi and Swami.
First Teachings and Book on Yoga in America: Every American who undertakes meditation or yoga today owes something to Swami Vivekananda. He introduced Yoga to America and published the first book on Yoga in the United States, Raja Yoga, in 1896, which became the seminal guide for early Western seekers.
The Interfaith Movement and Universalism: The 1893 World Parliament of Religions initiated the Interfaith Movement, and Swami Vivekananda is remembered as a founder and beacon of light. His beliefs on universalism, universal acceptance, unity in diversity, and “all religions are true” can profoundly impact tolerance, inclusivity, and understanding in civic society today.
Women’s Liberation and Emancipation: When women had few rights in America or India, his universal message attracted many women to his teachings. He was also the first yogi to initiate women into monastic life. Many prominent American women were instrumental in introducing Swami Vivekananda to audiences in the United States.
Creative and Social Expression: The Vedanta Society of America became a safe intellectual and empowering haven for women, artists, gays, authors, rebels, and consciousness seekers that later informed and led to the 1960s counterculture and New Age generations’ interests in meditation and spiritualism.
Mission & Impact
At a time when the world seems to be regressing towards nationalism, racism, religious intolerance, and increased collective traumas, it is important for us to seek out stories and beacons of universalism, humanism, love, and hope to remind us of our human potential and our common destiny as universal beings.
First Indian Guru In America
He was the first Indian Swami or Monk to initiate Americans into the Sanyasi tradition of India and the first to initiate women as well.
Indian Wisdom in an Indian Voice
He taught Indian Wisdom to Americans as an Indian Yogi and Swami and not as an Apologist.
First Teachings & Book on Yoga in America
He published the first book on Yoga in America called Raja Yoga in 1896 that became the seminal guide for all early western seekers.
The Interfaith Movement Began in 1893
The Parliament of Religions initiated the Interfaith Movement and Swami Vivekananda, who was the star of the conference, is still remembered as a founder and beacon of light.
Women's Liberation and Emancipation
At a time when women had few rights in America or India, his universal message attracted many women to his teachings and he was also the first yogi to initiate women into the monastic life.
Creative and Social Expression
The Vedanta Society of America, became a safe intellectual and empowering haven for women, artists, gays, authors, rebels and the new consciousness seekers that led to the New Age and Activist Generations later.