Meditations on The Journey Home - Lesson from Chapter 2
Inspirations from ‘The Journey Home ‐ Autobiography of an American Swami’
Richard now headed to Rishikesh, and at ‘The Divine Life Mission’ founded by Swami Sivananda, he met his successor, Swami Cidananda Saraswati. Swami Cidananda was from an incredibly wealthy family from South India, and around the age of twenty, heard a calling to serve God. He worked hard, serving lepers, building huts for them. He spoke to Richard on the urgent need to attain God realization, without which this rare human life is a waste. He also emphasised on the need to abandon selfishness, and work hard to remove the weeds of negativities from the heart. He stressed on achieving God realization through mantra japa, recitation of God’s holy names. One evening he described Richard’s travels in great detail, voicing Richard’s intimate thoughts. Richard was particularly awestruck to meet someone with such power, and yet remain so simple and kind.
It’s easy to be simple when we have nothing. When success and fame comes our way, the weeds of pride also creep in, and then to remain firmly footed on simplicity and strong moral and ethical character is a challenge. Swami Cidananda’s simplicity touched Richard’s heart, and he found the Swami to be extremely friendly, respectful and humble.
My first meeting with Radhanath Swami gave me the same feelings. Although thousands flock to hear him, and shower him with lot of respect, when I went to his room, I was pleasantly surprised to see him seated on the floor with a simple mat. The walls had simple mud plasters, and he didn’t even have an attached toilet. Twelve years later I see he continues to stay in the same simple set up. Many times his students insisted that they shift him to a better house, or get an air conditioner for his room. Radhanath Swami refused any of these facilities. His room is at the centre of the monks’ ashram, and the constant noise from the resident quarters of the hundred plus members’ of the ashram can be unsettling. Yet Radhanath Swami not only has no complaints, he is happy in this setup.
Radhanath Swami warns that unless we work hard and serve others, cultivating simplicity of thought and lifestyle, we can’t become dear to God. He emphasises humble menial service to be more pleasing to God than our lofty discourses, filled with pride. “Performing some menial service to men of God is of great spiritual value, much greater than just holding high ranking positions in society”, says Radhanath Swami. His definition of ‘simple’ is simple, yet profound: “Simple means what is inside is outside. We should not try to pretend to be something we are not. We should not act in such a way that people think we are very advanced.”
I find him similar to his description of Swami Cidananda in other ways too. He too had the comforts of a loving American family but left home at the age of nineteen, and heard a calling of God. For six years he lived as a monk in an austere monastery, on a secluded mountaintop that one had to plod a three mile muddy footpath through a forest to reach. The snow-blanketed winters were frigid there and he had no heat. To bathe, he used a rock to break a layer of ice, and then dipped in the icy water. His sanitation system was to climb down a hill with shovel in hand and bury his waste in the mud. He works tirelessly hard even today, at the age of sixty. Like Swami Cidananda, he too stresses on mantra japa, and daily chants a minimum of twenty-five thousand names of the Lord on his prayer beads.
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“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
‘The Journey Home - Autobiography of an American Swami’ Book is an engaging, humorous and heart-warming account of a young nineteen year old’s quest for spiritual enlightenment. The reader follows Richard Slavin (Now Radhanath Swami) from the suburbs of Chicago to the caves of Himalayas as he goes through a variety of exciting adventures; some near-death encounters and many spiritual experiences. Regular reading of this all-time classic has helped me draw spiritual lessons and seek constant inspiration in my own spiritual journey.
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Radhanath Swami’s simplicity & humility are very endearing to everyone. It inspires others to change their ways for the better.
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It remains one of life’s greatest mysteries why and how that works
Yeah, I noticed that too, great article
It remains one of life’s greatest mysteries why and how that works
Great post. Thanks. I just tag your article to my facebook page.
the collection abt HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a great treasure for them who seek a path 2wrds self realization…thank u all very mch 4 making avail this precious jells 2 us…
Like your blog. Sending best wishes from Viena.
very nice article, thanks for posting this, bhakti
very rightly said by HHRM and Swami Civananda that God’s realization is the need of the hour, and how one should involve himself in the benefit of others by doing service, haribol, rajesh karia
To be simple means to be same inside and outside. Great insight. It doesn’t necessarily mean having no means.
Yeah, I noticed that too, great article. How do you think this will change the route of your future writing?
I completely agree, great aricle! I’m glad you went down that route
I completely agree, great aricle! I’m glad you went down that route
It remains one of life’s greatest mysteries why and how that works, life takes us on an extreme route
I feel you are too good to write Genius!Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this.
I feel you are too good to write Genius!Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this.
It is truly amazing to see how great spiritualists think alike.
Exactly, the focus should be on how (communication)technology can let people work more efficient and effective.
Like your blog. Sending best wishes from Viena.
great article, how do you feel this will be affected in the future? I’m glad I stumbled across this website!
Like your blog. Sending best wishes from Viena.
great article, I’m in the process of convincing my friend of all that
Radhanath Swami is such a humble and simple soul that anyone who comes in his contact, gets immediate relief and trust on him, because he is a real saint.
It’s easy to be simple when we have nothing. When success and fame comes our way, the weeds of pride also creep in, and then to remain firmly footed on simplicity and strong moral and ethical character is a challenge.H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj has explained how difficult it is to practice simplicity.
Thank you very much for this simple and profound need to be simple. I will try to imbibe it in my life.
Thank you very much for such a nice article.
Radhanath Swami is a personification of Simple living and high thinking.
Thank you for sharing this article
I remember Radhanath Swami say once, “Bhakti is simple for the simple.”
Funny how a great soul can unravel the knots in the brain so easily. Isn’t it?
Great article! Its inspiring to see how some can live a life of peace and serenity without the troubles of our ever changing outside world.