In Europe and America the yearly increase of interest in subjects like meditation, yoga, and Hinduism goes on steadily, mostly among young academics and elderly ladies. All this is mixed up with half-related subjects, some of doubtful nature. Mantra yoga and hatha yoga are the most popular; but small numbers of really serious questers after the highest truth and higher spiritual experience also exist, and among them some find their way to Advaita. Here the writings of Vivekananda, Mahadevan, and Radhakrishnan have been the strongest influence. The idea of reincarnation has become fairly familiar and, even if not accepted, is now discussed tolerantly and sympathetically. In some ways, all this has developed along with a certain cheapening which may distort the old traditions of Hinduism and lessen the respect for its swamis or gurus. Nevertheless, it has made many texts and commentaries available for the seeker. Such books as the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the sayings of saints like Ramana Maharshi are now printed, for the first time, in the principal Western languages. As a ticket-holder of the Vatican library, I am amazed at the gathered past hundred and fifty years' texts.
-- Notebooks Category 15: The Orient > Chapter 1 : Meetings of East and West > # 64
