This book was recommended to me by someone I recently met at a Hare Krishna Temple visit. I enjoyed it, and was surprised to find out the role The Beatles played in bringing Hinduism to the West - specifically, the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra (Maha Mantra).The Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) started in NYC (Lower East Side) and developed further in San Fransisco until most of us in the West, at the very least, tolerated the ideas of Hinduism. The roots, of course, started in India.
Based on traditional Hindu scriptures, this movement worships Vishnu, and avatars, Rama and Krishna - it's called Vaishnavism.
My favourite moments were the conversations with George Harrison and the story of how he wrote the popular song My Sweet Lord (listen to the end, that's the Maha Mantra) as a gift to his guru friend, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (the founder). George claimed, despite his drug experimentation, riches and fame, and general abundant life, that chanting gave him a high beyond measure. Quite the claim!
I haven't tried chanting, but I am definitely curious to try this practice and Hinduism in general. Some call it a cult movement - but, like everything else, moderation is the key.
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