With Spiritual Teacher, Filmmaker & Speaker
Raja Choudhury
Join us for the exclusive Documentary Premiere of “America’s First Guru” — and Discover the Forgotten Legacy of Swami Vivekananda.
Experience this incredible story of connection and transcendence from the Indian monk who first brought Vedanta, Yoga, and meditation to the West in 1893 and delivered a hopeful message that’s even more relevant today.
More than 100 years ago, America welcomed a son of India — Swami Vivekananda. And he helped bring Hinduism and Yoga to our country. And he came to my hometown of Chicago. And there, at a great gathering of religious leaders, he spoke of his faith and the divinity in every soul, and the purity of love.
— President Barack Obama
What if one speech could change the spiritual landscape of a nation and even the world?
Discover how in 1893, this spiritual trailblazer, a young, dynamic monk from India, Swami Vivekananda, captured the hearts and souls of America with a revolutionary message of universal acceptance and Interfaith unity that still resonates today.
Vivekananda’s powerful address at the World’s Parliament of Religions and his ongoing work afterward, introduced Vedanta and the practice of yoga to the West, positioning yoga not only as a physical practice but as a path to spiritual awareness and mindfulness.
He challenged and transformed the nation’s views on the role of women in spiritual life, the power of self-realization and inner divinity, service as a form of spiritual worship, interfaith unity, and universal acceptance, helping to lay the foundation for the spiritual diversity we see today.
You’re Invited!
Be among the first to experience America’s First Guru , a groundbreaking documentary that reveals the untold story of how Vivekananda’s insights, inspired by Indian wisdom and the Vedanta philosophy, opened the doors for yoga and meditation to flourish in America and around the globe... And how he inspired crowds with his call to see ourselves as “heirs of immortal bliss” and imagine a world free of fanaticism.
This movie is perfect for everyone who is pursuing or interested in pursuing personal transformation, mindfulness, and inclusivity in spiritual exploration.
Event Highlights:
Following the 1h. 28 min. film, join an exclusive Q&A with the film’s director, Raja Choudhury — a spiritual teacher, award-winning filmmaker, and Shift faculty whose powerful insights and pioneering work have touched the hearts of thousands. Raja will share insights into Vivekananda’s life, the making of this compelling film, and the enduring relevance of Vivekananda’s message in today’s world.
5 Powerful Takeaways You’ll Experience During This Special Documentary Premiere:
- Rediscover Your Inner Bliss
Learn how Vivekananda’s call to “heirs of immortal bliss” can inspire a renewed sense of self-worth and inner peace in your daily life. - Cultivate Universal Acceptance
Discover how his message of inclusivity and interfaith respect provides tools to embrace and celebrate diversity in a world that needs unity more than ever. - Awaken Your Spiritual Potential
Connect with Vivekananda’s teachings on self-realization, opening a path for personal transformation and growth. - Transformative Insights for Modern Challenges
Understand how his wisdom and philosophy provide valuable lessons to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and compassion. - Bring Mindfulness to Everyday Life
Explore the practices Vivekananda introduced to the West, such as yoga and meditation, and see how they can enrich your spiritual journey today.
You’ll also hear about Awaken Your Inner Freedom: A 12-Part Journey with Swami Vivekananda that can help you Integrate the timeless wisdom from Swami Vivekananda into your life with guided teachings, reflections, and insights to inspire your personal path to true liberation and purpose.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness the story of the Indian monk who brought spiritual wisdom and unity to America — a message of transformation and love that continues to inspire.
Sign Up Now
Reserve your free seat now and be part of a movement that celebrates interfaith understanding, spiritual resilience, and a timeless message of peace and harmony.
Free Video Event
What People Are Saying About Raja Choudhury...
About Raja Choudhury
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Raja Choudhury, a spiritual teacher, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and TED speaker, aims to disrupt human consciousness and awaken each of us to our true evolutionary potential using his deep knowledge of Kundalini Shakti, Tantra, and Indian wisdom seen through the lens of neuroscience and modern psychology.
In the past five years, he has emerged as one of The Shift Network’s most popular new teachers, initiating and guiding more than 4,400 students into the mysteries of Kundalini Shakti, Shiva-Shakti Tantra, Karma, and the Third Eye. Raja’s own shift occurred in 2006 when, while a creative director in New York, he underwent a life-changing Kundalini awakening that rewired his system and opened up a new Universe for him.
Raja started his professional life as an architect after graduating from the acclaimed Architectural Association School in London, then went on to become a Webby-winning digital creative director in New York, where his awakening occurred. Since then, Raja has created numerous documentary films on wisdom and consciousness, including Spirituality in the Modern World with Ken Wilber and Traleg Rinpoche... Yoga: Harmony with Nature (the official international film for the first International Day of Yoga)... The Quantum Indians (winner of the 2014 National Film Award of India)... The Modern Mystic... and Guruji Amritananda.
Raja gave a TED talk in Bangalore on “Indian Wisdom for Today’s World” in 2012 and a TEDx talk in 2015 on yoga. His videos on Shakti, Mantras, Kundalini, Shiva, the Third Eye, and meditation are popular on YouTube. In his own spiritual quest, he was initiated first into Kriya Yoga in 1998, and went on to take deep initiations into Raja Yoga, advanced Kriya Yoga, and then finally, Sri Vidya and Maha Vidya Tantra. Raja is also a student of Trika, Qigong, sacred geometry, neuroscience, history, esoteric traditions, and the mind. His teachings are a syncretic blend of Eastern and Western philosophies and techniques.
