Season 1

From the psychological insights of Buddhism to Hinduism’s guidance on religious living, Smith and Moyers discuss what defines Eastern religions, their enduring popularity in America, and how a single flash of insight inspired Smith to develop his synthesized view of faith.

Decades before cities were dotted with yoga studios, a young Huston Smith appeared on black-and-white TV, shed his shoes, and introduced the lotus position to the American public. A yoga practitioner for over 60 years, Smith explains how the mental, physical, and spiritual sides of human life find a home in Confucianism and Taoism.

While Smith’s exploration of world religions delivered him to the farthest reaches of the globe, he did not neglect spirituality close to home. Sharing personal stories of his own family’s blend of faiths, Smith discusses the meaning of prayer and speaks of the challenges in achieving spirituality today.

Now more than ever, an understanding of Islam outside the newspaper headlines is crucial. Smith and Moyers examine the heart of Islam, one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, and Smith explains how the ancient religion dovetails with his own faith.

Modern America teems with spiritual seekers trying to incorporate a moral, inspired path into their everyday lives. Smith shares his hope that people will recognize the vitality in all spiritual traditions, using his own remarkable explorations as an example of how all religions can, in essence, be practiced as one.