The West's Search for Spiritual Meaning

Throughout the book, the author's narrative focus is on incidents and circumstances arising from western society's search for connection to the more spiritual aspects of existence. The primary thematic contention arising from this narrative focus is that western society and culture experiences the need that triggers this search as the result of being grounded in various manifestations of capitalism. The author further suggests that capitalism, in its ever intensifying, ever hungry search for economic and material prosperity, has left behind or perhaps abandoned considerations of genuine spiritual well being. In general, she contends, the west sees the less capitalistic east as a source of enlightenment about how to achieve that well being. She also suggests that, in an ironic expression of the same spirit of acquisitiveness that drives capitalism itself, the west is driven to acquire that enlightenment.

It's important to note that...