Saying ‘No’ to temptations
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Saying ‘No’ to temptations.
Remembering the catholic saints, Tibetan Lamas and yogis of India who had relinquished worldly pleasures in their passion for enlightenment, Richard yearned to follow their footsteps.. Temptations that threaten to pull us away from our spiritual quest are not bad. Radhanath Swami says they are opportunities to help us come closer to God…
Read MoreSeeing the beautiful plan of god
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Seeing the beautiful plan of god
The ability to see God’s plan behind everything that happens in our life is very difficult; especially when things don’t work according to our plans. Radhanath Swami says it requires humility to accept that we are not the doers and God is all good. To have faith in God’s goodness in trying circumstances opens the door of unlimited grace.
Read MoreCan bodily pleasures give lasting happiness?
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Can bodily pleasures give lasting happiness?
Great sages of the past have declared that material pleasures do not satisfy the deep needs of the soul; they give fleeting pleasures and even that fades away after some time. One of the common themes of Radhanath Swami’s discourses has been that our original nature is spiritual–different from the material body that we presently inhabit. The soul must be satisfied because that’s our real identity.
Read MoreHappiness by watering the root
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Happiness by watering the root.
Radhanath Swami says The propensity to serve is natural; however when we seek to gratify the self rather than serve God and God’s children, our attempt is akin to watering the branches and twigs of a tree, rather than the root of the tree.
Read MoreA voluntary life of poverty
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – A voluntary life of poverty
As Richard (Now Radhanath Swami) and his friend pondered on the mysteries that awaited them, Richard realized he had almost nothing but strangely he felt free and happy sitting on the bank of a canal or a river. As a young seeker, Radhanath Swami too depended on the grace of Lord who took care of him as he wandered through various cities and countries of this world. He had no money but the burning desire to know God kept him going.
Read MoreThis world is a dangerous place
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – This world is a dangerous place.
Richard’s (Now Radhanath Swami) father echoed the sentiments expressed in the religious scriptures of India. The Vedic texts declare this world to be filled with dangers at every step. Radhanath Swami often explains on the basis of the scriptures that if we take shelter of God, the hurdles of this world reduce to the size of a small puddle of water created by the hoof prints of a calf.
Read MoreFrom ‘absorber’ to an ‘observer’
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Offering meaningful prayers.
Challenge for the ship is to remain in the ocean and yet not allow the water to enter the ship. Similarly, Radhanath Swami appeals to all of humanity to face the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. “This is possible”, says Radhanath Swami
Read MoreOffering meaningful prayers
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Offering meaningful prayers.
Radhanath Swami explains that there are essentially four levels of approaching God. The final goal of a true spiritual path is to help the practitioner reestablish his/her dormant, uninterrupted and unmotivated loving service to God. Love is the highest aspiration of a seeker of God.
Read MoreThe Triple ‘P’ formula to overcome obstacles
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – The Triple ‘P’ formula to overcome obstacles
Radhanath Swami is sharing with us the magic formula for success- the Triple ‘P’ formula- patience, perseverance and prayer… Once Radhanath Swami gave an interesting example in his talk; in the confrontation between the rock and the stream who wins? It’s the stream who wins, not through strength but through perseverance…
Read MoreIs Radhanath Swami carrying past life impressions?
Radhanath Swami Fan Blog – Is Radhanath Swami carrying past life impressions?
Considering Radhanath Swami’s later discovery of his guru in India and his appreciation for mother India, I can’t help asking if he has past life roots in India. This raises the question of reincarnation. Is it really possible for a person to take birth again; is there life after death?
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Table of Contents
Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“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........