The master's thesis examines Indian religious and spiritual movements in contemporary Western society with a critical and analytical perspective on their altered forms in a non-native environment. The work is based on the understanding that Indian spiritual movements have gained popularity in the West through two main avenues: the influence of immigrants from Eastern lands (the influence of the East on the West) and the impact of Westerners residing in the East (the influence of the West on the East). The content focuses on the development of changes, their causes, roles, meanings, influences, and highlights their adaptation and acceptance in Western environments. Its insights are formed through the study of interdisciplinary literature and empirical case studies. The main research question pertains to the reasons for the popularization and commercialization of Indian spiritual movements, using transcendental meditation (TM) in Slovenia as an example. The thesis emphasizes that TM, as a distinct and independent form of spiritual content or movement, does not actually exist because as a standalone spiritual practice, it is only possible in the West, where it is not embedded in broader religious concepts. Therefore, it embodies characteristics of New Age spirituality, which has evolved from counterculture in the 21st century to become part of mainstream (capitalistic) culture and has been, from its inception, a technique adapted to the demands of Western, consumerist, and commodified society. Considering that TM in today's society is often perceived as an individual practice with personal motives and is shaped by the individual experiences of practitioners, primarily for personal development and empowerment in modern society, TM is also positioned outside the category of commercialization.
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