East Meets West:
How Eastern Wisdom Changed Western Spirituality

a 5-week Wednesday class on Zoom
with Philip Goldberg

For more than a century, ideas from Eastern spiritual traditions have shaped how people in the West understand spirituality. These teachings influenced movements like Unity and helped give rise to today’s “spiritual but not religious” paths.

In this five-session class, author and teacher Philip Goldberg explores how Eastern wisdom made its way into Western culture — and why it still matters. We’ll look at how teachings from India and other Eastern traditions were introduced through books, teachers, and spiritual leaders, then adapted by artists, thinkers, and everyday seekers.

You’ll learn the original meaning of key spiritual ideas that are often misunderstood today, such as karma, non-attachment, and mindfulness. We’ll also explore different types of meditation and spiritual practices, and how they can be used in everyday life in healthy, grounded ways.

What You Will Learn

• How Eastern spiritual ideas first entered Western culture
• Why these teachings resonated so deeply in America
• The role of books, teachers, and cultural leaders in spreading Eastern wisdom
• How Eastern and Western spiritual ideas overlap—and where they differ
• What “Perennial Philosophy” means and why it matters
• Key differences between meditation, mindfulness, and yogic practices
• The four main yogic paths and how they support spiritual growth
• How Eastern teachings shaped modern spiritual movements, including Unity
• How to thoughtfully integrate these teachings into daily life or spiritual leadership

Practical Takeaways

• A clearer understanding of spiritual concepts you may already use
• The ability to spot common misunderstandings and spiritual oversimplifications
• Language you can use to explain these ideas to others with accuracy and care
• Tools for choosing spiritual practices that truly fit your life
• Greater confidence in blending wisdom from different traditions
• A deeper appreciation for experience-based spirituality

Whether you’re a seeker or a spiritual leader, this course offers profound understanding and practical tools for living a more awakened life.

Philip Goldberg (no stranger to us at Unity of Albany) is an acclaimed author and teacher who explores how Eastern spiritual traditions have shaped Western culture. His books, American Veda and Karmic Relief, are trusted guides to understanding modern spirituality with depth and clarity.

Official individual Registration info below.

However, Unity of Albany plans of offering this at the church as group Zoom session on Wednesday evenings, preceded by Meditation at 6:30 pm

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Register now at eagles-soaring.org

• Full Rate: $200 – Recommended for those with financial stability.
• Reduced Rate: $175 – Available for those facing financial constraints.
• Scholarship Rate: $150 – For those who require additional support.