Raja Choudhury
Immerse yourself in the timeless wisdom and revolutionary teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the dynamic Indian monk and spiritual trailblazer whose message of universal acceptance and interfaith unity reshaped the West and continues to inspire the world today.
Beyond the inspiring story beautifully captured in the film America’s First Guru, this study guide invites you to answer Swami Vivekananda’s enduring call for spiritual transformation.
You’ll receive exclusive 12-month access to stream America’s First Guru as well as the 12-part study guide at any time through your Shift homepage!
Swami Vivekananda’s groundbreaking address at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions introduced Vedanta and yoga to the West, inspiring a new path to spiritual awareness and mindfulness.
His teachings challenged the traditionally restrictive views on women in spiritual life, emphasized self-realization and inner divinity, and promoted service as worship, interfaith unity, and universal acceptance — shaping the foundation for the spiritual diversity we cherish today.
You’re invited to take the next step in your own spiritual journey by applying Vivekananda’s wisdom to your life in a very real and tangible way. Join the film’s director, Raja Choudhury — a spiritual teacher, award-winning filmmaker, and beloved Shift faculty — for this 12-part video program offering a practical roadmap for integrating Vivekananda's teachings on self-realization, inner peace, and social action.
With these 12 videos, you’ll dive deeply into Vivekananda’s teachings, embodying his practices to cultivate inner peace, a deeper connection to your divinity, and a compassionate, loving outlook on life and service.
Guided by Raja Choudhury’s teachings and reflections, this transformative program weaves together practical wisdom, reflective teachings, and useful insights and inspiration from interviews with renowned spiritual leaders — including Samrat Chakrabarti, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Saravadevananda, Ruth Harris, and others.
Along with exclusive film clips and inspiring conversations, you’ll uncover a clear path toward liberation, purpose, and spiritual awakening, empowering you to live his timeless teachings every day.
During this 12-part on-demand video series, you’ll:
- Delve into the core principles of Vedanta, the ancient Indian philosophy that emphasizes the oneness of all existence
- Explore your true nature as Raja offers guidance through 12 sessions of inquiry and reflection
- Uncover the transformative power of Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless action
- Study Vivekananda’s interpretation of Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, including ethical principles, physical postures, breath control, and concentration techniques
- Open your heart to the divine through Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion
- Explore the ancient practice of Raja Yoga, the yoga of self-control, breathwork, and meditation
- Focus on the inherent divinity within you as you explore Vivekananda's concept of freedom
- Discover Vivekananda’s vision for a universal religion that transcends dogma and embraces the unity of all faiths and the divinity of all souls
- Critically analyze Vivekananda's ideas in the context of today’s challenges as you receive a call to action
- And much more…
Create Your Own Learning Experience
Video Sessions Available On-Demand to Watch at Your Convenience
Access the interviews, teachings, and film clips through streaming video via any connected device.
Dive deeply into these 12 videos all at once or savor the journey over 12 days — you can tailor your learning experience to whatever works for you.
Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, these pre-recorded videos are available to you 24/7 so you can create an experience that fits your schedule — as you create your own transformative journey.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Exclusive Access to Streaming the Film America’s First Guru
Enjoy 12 months of streaming access to Raja’s documentary film and experience the remarkable story of the Indian monk who first brought Vedanta, yoga, and meditation to the West in 1893, delivering a hopeful message of connection and transcendence that’s even more relevant today.
12 On-Demand Video Recordings
Each video will be available for you to stream in a high-quality format and you can watch anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
12 Audio Recordings
The audio version of each video will also be available for you to stream so you can listen anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
12 Transcripts of Videos
You’ll receive the entire transcript after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the insights and information you found most impactful.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each video session. Here, you can discuss the session content and interact with others to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
Your Video Journey Details
The Awaken Your Inner Freedom Bonus Offering
In addition to Raja’s 12 transformative videos, you’ll receive 12 months of streaming access to America’s First Guru, the acclaimed documentary film that inspired this video series.
America's First Guru
Documentary Film Directed by Raja Choudhury
What if one speech could change the spiritual landscape of a nation — and even the world? Enjoy 12 months of streaming access to Raja Choudhury’s film and experience the remarkable story of the Indian monk who first brought Vedanta, yoga, and meditation to the West in 1893, delivering a hopeful message of connection and transcendence that’s even more relevant today. This movie is a must-watch for anyone and everyone pursuing, or interested in pursuing, personal transformation, mindfulness, and inclusivity in spiritual exploration.
What Graduates of Raja Choudhury’s Courses Are Saying…
I had a basic understanding of Kundalini energy, but this course greatly exceeded my expectations. It’s awakened a much higher interest in working with the material than I could have EVER imagined. Raja’s presentation of material and style is masterful to a level I have never experienced before.
Cape Coral, Florida
Raja gives everything of himself; I have never seen such dedication to students. The information and daily practices are life-changing. I learned a form of meditation that makes me want to set time aside and practice — it’’s deep and beautiful and exciting! Wow!
Worcester, Massachusetts
Raja is a teacher who wants to help others find the bliss that he himself has found, and his enthusiasm is genuine and infectious. I appreciate his involvement with the students and the level of support he has given us, with his availability to answer questions and have discussions. I have enrolled in the advanced course and I am very much looking forward to intensifying my practice.
It is my fortune to have found Raja as my teacher, who ever so lucidly explains the philosophy and the practice, one step at a time. What set it apart was his deep engagement with the students, from patiently solving our custom queries to lovingly coaching, connecting, and reassuring us. Truly said, when a student is ready, the master arrives. The journey has just begun. I feel fortunate and safe being taught and lovingly guided by Raja.
I am 83, and was very physically weak and discouraged from several serious illnesses when I began the course, and had come close to leaving my body. My deceased beloved, who has been a spiritual advisor to me, recommended I take the course with Raja to help bring Spirit back into my body, as there were a few things that felt important to me to do before leaving this plane of reality. Raja’s teachings have helped me begin to do that, and I am deeply grateful! I will continue to work with the wealth of teachings he has shared in the course, and expect to be able to progress further as I do.
San Diego, California
Join the Global Community
Join an international community of seekers who are also answering Swami Vivekananda’s enduring call for spiritual transformation depicted in the film America’s First Guru.
Your Satisfaction Is 100% Guaranteed!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you don’t absolutely LOVE Awaken Your Inner Freedom — or don’t feel that it meets your needs — please submit your refund request form within 2 weeks of your date of purchase and we’ll happily issue a refund.
More Praise for Raja Choudhury
Having a trusted and knowledgeable spiritual teacher like Raja is essential when delving deeply into esoteric teachings, especially when there is an abundance of material to learn and practice. Raja’s joyful and easy demeanor makes learning fun, and reminds us that the spiritual path doesn't have to be staid and serious. The live sessions were visually stimulating and the guided practices were eye-opening (pun intended). This course was truly a pleasure.
This course — and teacher Raja — is for serious seekers, with no games, hidden agendas, or any secrets. Today I’m standing and knocking on the door of heaven with higher vibration, frequency, and energy with the wisdom and absolutely divine knowledge of Raja.
Seattle, Washington
My intuition has become stronger, especially in understanding other people from their perspectives. Also I feel more peaceful, hopeful, and life seems to be better overall. Raja is a wonderful, honest, and generous teacher.
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Raja Choudhury
Raja Choudhury is a National Film Award (India) and Webby Award-winning filmmaker, speaker, and spiritual teacher who has been creating acclaimed documentary films, online programs, and major events in the U.S., UK, and India since 1993.
Trained as an architect at London's prestigious Architectural Association, he entered the world of digital media by creating the highly acclaimed VID Zone music video kiosk network in 1993.
His filmography includes celebrated works such as I Believe about Dr. Karan Singh, Spirituality in the Modern World featuring Ken Wilber, and The Modern Mystic about Sri M of Madanapalle. He also directed The Quantum Indians, an exploration of the lives of Saha, Bose, and Raman that won the National Film Award of India in 2014.
Raja’s other notable films include Guruji Amritananda and Yoga Harmony with Nature, India's official film for the first International Day of Yoga. His most recent acclaimed film, America's First Guru, is currently showing on PBS in America and will soon be seen internationally.
Raja is a TED speaker on “Indian Wisdom for Today's World” and a TEDx speaker on “Yoga 3.0.” Since 2018, he has taught over 4,000 students through The Shift Network in courses covering Kundalini Shakti, the Third Eye, Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra.