This sense of disillusionment set the stage for a pivotal turning point. Harrison began looking outside the Western paradigm for answers, seeking a path that offered genuine peace and self-realization. ## The Sitar and Ravi Shankar Harrison’s spiritual awakening began through music. During the filming of the 1965 movie *Help!*, he encountered a sitar on the set. Intrigued by its complex, hypnotic sound, he purchased his own instrument and used it to record the groundbreaking track "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" on the *Rubber Soul* album. This musical experimentation led him to Indian classical maestro Ravi Shankar. Their meeting in 1966 was transformative. Shankar did not just teach Harrison how to play the sitar; he introduced him to the spiritual heritage of India. Shankar showed him that music could be a form of prayer and a direct connection to the divine. Under Shankar's mentorship, Harrison traveled to India to study the instrument, immerse himself in yoga, and read sacred texts like the *Bhagavad Gita*.

## The Rishikesh Pilgrimage and Transcendental Meditation In 1967, Harrison introduced his bandmates to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM). The Beatles, along with their partners and several other artists, traveled to the Maharishi’s ashram in Rishikesh, India, in early 1968 for an intensive meditation retreat. ### The Creative Explosion in Rishikesh The retreat in Rishikesh was one of the most creative periods in the Beatles' history. Away from the distractions of their celebrity lives, they wrote dozens of songs, many of which would populate *The White Album*. For Harrison, the experience solidified his commitment to daily meditation. While some of the other Beatles eventually grew disillusioned with the Maharishi, Harrison’s belief in the power of meditation remained unshaken.

## Bhakti Yoga and Krishna Consciousness Following the Rishikesh retreat, Harrison’s spiritual path deepened as he embraced Bhakti Yoga—the yoga of devotion. In 1969, he connected with the devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement. He developed a close relationship with the movement's founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ### "My Sweet Lord" and Solo Success When the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Harrison released his landmark triple album, *All Things Must Pass*. The album’s lead single, "My Sweet Lord," became a global phenomenon. The song was a bold, joyful expression of his faith, seamlessly blending the Christian exclamation "Hallelujah" with the Sanskrit "Hare Krishna" mantra. Harrison designed the song to show that different religions ultimately praise the same divine source, aiming to make chanting the mantra accessible to a mainstream audience.

### Philanthropy and Bhaktivedanta Manor Harrison’s devotion was not just musical; it was practical. In 1973, he purchased a large estate in Hertfordshire, England, and donated it to the Hare Krishna movement. Named Bhaktivedanta Manor, the property became a major temple and spiritual sanctuary, which still operates today. His belief in selfless service (Karma Yoga) also led him to organize the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. This historic event was the first major benefit concert of its kind, raising millions of dollars for refugees and setting a precedent for future global charity concerts. ## Living in the Material World

Throughout his life, Harrison struggled with the tension between his spiritual aspirations and the realities of being a global celebrity. His 1973 album, *Living in the Material World*, directly addressed this conflict. He spent much of his later life at his estate, Friar Park, finding solace in gardening, which he viewed as another form of meditation and connection to nature. Despite the challenges of navigating the music industry and surviving a violent home intrusion in 1999, Harrison maintained his spiritual practice. He viewed life as a school where the ultimate goal was to prepare the soul for the transition of death. ## The Final Transition and Lasting Legacy When George Harrison passed away from cancer on November 29, 2001, he did so with his family and close friends chanting around him. In accordance with his wishes and Hindu tradition, his body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in India.

Harrison’s legacy extends far beyond his contributions to the Beatles' catalog. He was a pioneer who helped demystify Eastern spirituality for the Western world. By sharing his personal journey openly through his music and interviews, he helped normalize practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, leaving behind a spiritual blueprint that continues to inspire seekers today.