Global Gurus

In modernity, and particularly since Indian Independence (1947), gurus have become important actors in the public sphere, as politicians, humanitarians, proselytizers, and religious leaders. Often unaffiliated with established sectarian traditions, gurus are a major source of religious innovation globally. One might imagine that authoritarian hierarchy of the guru-disciple relationship would be contrary to individualistic and democratic ideals so revered in modernity. But instead, while there are small populations who are anti-guru activist, there are still considerable populations who are comforted and sustained by clear directives issued by self-appointed religious authorities. My research engages a variety of contemporary global gurus, with a particular focus on celebrity gurus, taking a close look at the power relations therein and how they reveal multiple and alternative ideals of modernity.

My research on global celebrity gurus has been fascinating and consuming. While my knowledge is always expanding, I am reminded that there are hundreds of thousands of gurus in the world, each with their own methods and means of sharing their message. I approach the topic as a scholar of religion, without allegiance to any single guru. I write neither in support of or in condemnation of any guru or guru-related practice. Instead, I aim to uncover the social structures that continue to create space for contemporary gurus in modernity, with close analysis of interpersonal relations and power relations within guru movements. I am interested in the figure of the guru as an innovator in multiple fields, as well as an enduring representative of Hindu tradition.

In the field of guru studies, I have published the following related articles:

Lucia, Amanda. “Lineages, Emerging Exemplars, and Movements.” In A Cultural History of Hinduism in the Age of Independence, edited by Amanda Lucia and Maya Warrier, Volume 6 of A Cultural History of Hinduism, vols. 1-6, edited by Karen Pechilis, in press.

Lucia, Amanda. 2023. “Persistent Fictions: Race and the Global Gurus of the Long Twentieth Century,” pp. 375-395. In Hindu Diasporas, edited by Knut Axel Jacobsen.

Lucia, Amanda. 2022. “The Contemporary Guru Field.” Religion Compass, e12427. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12427

Lucia, Amanda. 2022. “Guru Sex: Charisma, Proxemic Desire, and the Haptic Logics of the Guru Disciple Relationship.” (reprint) pp. 209-238 in Religious Authority in South Asia: Generating the Guru, edited by István Keul and Srilata Raman, New York: Routledge.

Lucia, Amanda. 2021. “The Global Manifestation of the Hindu Guru Phenomenon.” pp. 413-427 in Routledge Handbook of South Asian Religions, edited by Knut Axel Jacobsen. New York: Routledge University Press.

Lucia, Amanda. 2021. “Charisma in Hinduism.” pp. 175-185 in Routledge International Handbook of Charisma, edited by José Pedro Zúquete. New York: Routledge University Press.

Lucia, Amanda. 2018. “On the Global Guru Circuit: From India to the West and Back Again.” The Religious Studies Project. November 15.

Lucia, Amanda. 2014. “Innovative Gurus: Tradition and Change in Contemporary Hinduism.” International Journal of Hindu Studies. 18. 2: 221-263.

I’ve also given the following related public talks:

2020. “The Guru and his ‘Invading Army:’ Nativist constructions of Osho’s Rajneeshpuram in ‘Wild Wild Country,’” European Academy of Religion Conference, Bologna, Italy.

2020. “Post-Soviet Guru Devotion: Pilot Baba and a New Wave of Hippies,” Born Again Selves: New Religious Movements and the Norms of Belief, Erfurt, Germany, (May 6-8)

2018. “Celebrity, Scandal, and the Godmen of Modern India.” Conference on the Study of Religions of India, University of California-Davis.

2018. “Mediating Charisma: The Rise of the Celebrity Guru,” Rise of New Religions in Asia Workshop, Boston University, (March 19-20).

2014. “Innovative Yoga Gurus: Charisma, Devotees, and the creation of NRMs,” When New Religious Movements Get Old, Conference in honor of Eileen Barker, UCR

2011. “Do We Still Need Gurus?” Colloquium Panel with Ivan Strenski, Toby Johnson, and Eric Schwitzgebel, UCR.

Photo credits: Third row left, copyright Karunamayi Ma; Bottom row right: Creative Commons 2.0; All other photo credits: Amanda Lucia.