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1	The Ashram of Swami Jyotirmayananda: Examining Authority, Transmission and Identity within the Guru and Disciple Relationship Ramlakhan, Priyanka 20 March 2014 (has links) The wave of gurus in America brought with them cultural transformations particularly in how they interpret Hinduism, how their teachings have adapted in engaging a Western audience, and the sustainability of their religious communities, thus changing the landscape of contemporary Hindu spirituality. The traditional model of the guru and disciple relationship according to Yoga and Vedanta is undergoing a transformation allowing for greater autonomy of the disciple to make decisions in how they appropriate the authority of the guru. This thesis examines the guru and disciple relationship within the institutional organization of the Yoga Research Foundation, founded by the contemporary guru, Swami Jyotirmayananda. Research of Jyotirmayananda’s unique following of Western disciples illuminates the nature of his authority through the establishment of his order and methods by which disciples navigate identity formation and experience religious transmission. guru disciple jyotirmayananda sivananda yoga vedanta shishya yoga research foundation miami American Popular Culture Arts and Humanities New Religious Movements Social and Behavioral Sciences