In search of spiritual renewal, the counter culture movement looked to the East. Important figures included Alan Watts (1915-1973), who interpreted Eastern philosophy for the West and the Indian mystic Meher Baba (1894-1969), who claimed to be the incarnation of god on earth.

The Eastern spiritual principles of karma and reincarnation held a fascination for many hippies. The idea of an enduring and essential ‘self’ stood in stark contrast to the ‘throwaway’ consumerist culture of 1960s America.

refers to the spiritual processes of reincarnation.

As a consequence of those processes, a person’s ‘seed atom’ has a higher spiritual agency, independent of any earthly authority. It is ultimately free of, and immune to, all and any earthly interference.