Part 1, Reinventing the Wheel Summary and Analysis

1 - The author describes her encounter with a Brazilian guru, who professed to offer enlightenment but who revealed himself to believe that karma manifested in atmosphere, rather than in action.

2 - The author summarizes India's history of cultural colonization - first by the uptight British, then by the fast moving Americans, then by refugees from Pakistan following partition.

3 - The author comments on the pervasive influence of American popular culture on India, saying that the greatest rush of interest was triggered when "the kings of rock and roll" (i.e., the Beatles) became interested in and devoted to its teachings and music.

4 - The author comments here that the people and capitalists of India quickly became accustomed to the idea that their spirituality and ways of life were marketable and popular commodities in America.

The...