Radhanath Swami reveals that spiritual life can present temptations that distract us from our goal. One should not practice spiritual practices for either monetary gain or for worldly popularity. The real bliss of spiritual life will be missing from our lives if we succumb to pursuing ephemeral goals of wanting prestige and power in this material world.

Radhanath Swami narrates examples of great saints who strictly avoided worldly fame lest it distracted them from their spiritual goal. One such example that Radhanath Swami quotes is of a nineteenth century saint Gaura Kishor Das Babaji who performed his meditation and prayers in a dirty public toilet so that people would leave him alone and not trouble him for material blessings. Radhanath Swami warns that these examples are not to be imitated but we can take inspiration on how many great souls abhorred glorification and material power. Another example Radhanath Swami often speaks about is a fifteenth century saint Bhugarbha Goswmai. To avoid material distractions, Bhugarbha Goswami would perform his worship to God in a cave. Because of this, he received the name Bhugarbha (bhu means “earth,” garbha means “cave” or “hidden place”).

Radhanath Swami reveals that the time and age we are living in beset with unlimited temptations and distractions that threaten to pull away a sincere seeker from his or her spiritual quest. Therefore we need to guard against these negative forces and practice spiritual life sincerely. On the basis of revealed scriptures, Radhanath Swami presents that the senses which include the mind are so strong and so impetuous that they forcibly carry away the intelligence even of a man who is endeavoring to control them. “That’s what yoga is about. It is not simply about having a healthy body or living many years. Yoga is about controlling the mind and the senses” says Radhanath Swami and this requires us to be focused against all obstacles, distractions and temptations. Radhanath Swami assures that this can be done if we simultaneously focus our mind on God.

But I often wonder that it is difficult to fix my mind on God. The solution Radhanath Swami offers is simple; association of like-minded seekers. Association can help us overcome temptations on the path of spiritual life. Even if we occasionally slip from our spiritual standards, the association of strong and sincere spiritual aspirants helps us come back on track. Temptations are unavoidable but how we respond to them depends on how much we have taken shelter of God. This shelter becomes strong in the association of strong devotees.

Naga Babas, “the naked ones”, belong to an order founded by Dattatreya, a long time ago, in human history. The group was finally organized into a sect by Adi Shankara in the 5th century AD. The Naga Babas see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma, or what is popularly called as the Hindu religion.

As a practicing spiritualist I often wonder if it’s possible for all to practice these rigid austerities. More importantly I often asked myself if these kind of austerities are needed at all. I once asked Radhanath Swami if we are disqualified from spiritual life if we cannot practice strict austerities. Radhanath Swami gave me lot of hope by saying that spiritual life is not about austerities or denial but rather it is a life of acceptance- acceptance of God’s grace. Radhanath Swami reveals that austerities can be influenced by different modes in nature. One in the mode of ignorance performs austerities that are grossly harmful to the body. One influenced by the mode of passion performs austerities with a fruitive desire for monetary gain or for some recognition and popularity. Radhanath Swami urges that our austerities should be in the mode of goodness- that which helps us sync with nature and connect to God.

Radhanath Swami says performance of austerities is inevitable. A student who wants to do well in his exams relinquishes his play- this is a type of austerity. Similarly, Radhanath Swami says, a spiritual seeker forsakes worldly pleasures for spiritual pleasures. This giving up of some material or bodily gratification may seem painful in the beginning, but the result is a sweet experience. Radhanath Swami specifically urges that while performing austerities if we remember God, the remembrance of God will fill our heart with a certain kind of spiritual happiness that cannot be equaled by anything material. Therefore Radhanath Swami is clear in his exposition of the need to perform austerities. He says austerities are useful to the extent they increase our favorable remembrance of God.

Radhanath Swami has also time and again elaborated that austerity means putting aside our selfish ambitions for a higher purpose. As a master at developing vibrant spiritual communities, Radhanath Swami implores practicing spiritualists to keep aside their selfish, material ambitions and unite for a higher cause to help others. This is a great austerity, says Radhanath Swami but we have to do it for it pleases God and helps us advance in our relationship with God.

As a practicing spiritualist it is an uplifting experience to see God’s creation and marvel at the preciseness and beauty of it all. There are many simple and graphic examples of the artistry of the Lord’s creation. We see that among the lower forms of living entities, social organization is very smoothly maintained. For example, in a bee colony the drones nicely take care of the queen bee, while the workers collect a great amount of honey from flowers all day long. Similarly, the loving relationship between a mother and her baby is quite clearly visible even in very small forms of living entities. During monsoon season in tropical countries, when there are torrents of rain, the small ants run to find shelter, carrying their eggs on their heads. The spider makes its wonderful webs with great architectural skill to serve as a shelter and to catch its prey for survival. Silkworms spin hundreds of yards of fine threads to form cocoons for their shelter during the pupa stage. Inside a tiny seed, smaller than the size of a mustard seed, the whole potency of a big banyan tree is present. Seventy separate chemical reactions are involved in the process of photosynthesis in a plant. These are just a few examples of the wonderful organization in nature which reveals a wonderful intelligence behind it all. These arrangements are made by God, who is creating, maintaining and guiding all living entities, small or big.

Radhanath Swami has often given the example of the giant Sequoia tree. One of the smallest seeds has packaged within it the biggest living thing on earth – the giant sequoia tree. It grows over 300 feet high. Four feet above the ground its diameter may be 36 feet. One tree may contain enough wood to build 50 six-room houses. The twofoot- thick bark is flavored with tannin that repels insects, and it’s spongy, fibrous texture makes it almost as fireproof as asbestos. It’s roots cover three or four acres. It lives over 3000 years. Yet the seeds that a sequoia tree rains down by the millions are not much bigger than a pinhead surrounded by tiny wings. A puny man standing at a sequoia’s base can only gaze upward in silent awe at its massive grandeur. Does it make sense to believe that the shaping of the majestic giant and of the tiny seed that packages it was not by design?

Radhanath Swami speaks in many of his classes that we can see and appreciate God’s wonderful creation at the atomic and molecular level also. Networks of atoms are so fantastically arranged that even a slight change in the positions of a few atoms or a little variation in the geometry of a molecule, can cause the colour of a substance to change from orange to red, a mild pleasing odour to become repellent and pungent, and a flavour to change from sweet to bitter. On one extreme, we find from the infinitely large to the infinitesimally small, from galactic clusters to atoms, the universe is characterized by superb organization. Indeed, the universe is so precisely organized that man can use the heavenly bodies as the basis for his timekeeping. A well designed time piece is obviously the work of a intelligent scientist. Then what about the far more complex design and dependability that exists throughout the universe?

With such simple and daily observable examples, Radhanath Swami appeals to all to accept the benevolence of God.

Radhanath Swami has always emphasized on the need to respect all life, especially on the need to protect environment. I was personally inspired by Vandana Shiva who was born in the Himalayas and grew up in the mountain forests, with her father who was a forest conservationist. In the 1970s, when logging of the mountain forests intensified, the women of her region rose to stop the deforestation. They said they would hug the trees to prevent the logging. In Hindi, Chipko means to hug [or stick]. Vandana joined the movement as a volunteer and spent every vacation working with the Chipko till the ban on logging in 1981.

Quoting from the Vedic scriptures, Radhanath Swami reveals that if we protect the environment and the forests, these forests in turn protect our lives. Quoting the Buddha, Radhanath Swami says, “In protecting oneself, others are protected; in protecting others, oneself is protected”. It’s important that we have reverence for all of God’s creation and live in harmony with nature. Radhanath Swami also clarifies that the nature of life in this world is that one living entity is food for another living entity and violence in some form is unavoidable. However Radhanath Swami insists that as human beings- the most evolved of all species- it’s our responsibility to ensure that minimum possible damage is done to the environment. Radhanath Swami says that civilized human life means a life of gratitude and and we can express our gratitude to Mother Nature by respecting all life.

Hearing Radhanath Swami’s words of wisdom I am reminded of Sufi teachings, a branch of Islam that teaches the need for all of us to respect life and feelings of others. The basis of Sufism is consideration of the hearts and feelings of others. “If you haven’t the will to gladden someone’s heart, then at least beware lest you hurt someone’s heart, for on our path, no sin exists but this”, said Javad Nurbakhsih, a master in the Sufi order. It’s amazing how all religions essentially teach us the same lesson; to live in harmony with nature and respect all life. Mahatma Gandhi’s words also ring in my ears, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Radhanath Swami explains the root cause of the abuse of nature is the selfish pursuits of man. “It’s the pollution of the heart that has to be cleaned first before we clean up the pollution of the environment” says Radhanath Swami. As long as human endeavor is directed to meet only our needs, strife and crisis is inevitable. We need to begin looking at the needs of others. He loves to quote Gandhi who said, “There is enough in this world for every person’s need but not sufficient for even one person’s greed.”

On hearing Anandamayi Ma’s explanation of suffering, I wonder why God gives us tests and sufferings in this world; why can’t he make it easy for us and carry us back to His loving kingdom easily. Radhanath Swami says in spiritual life sufferings are important because they purify us of the material contaminations of the heart and they provide us with the strength to progress towards God. If we do not go through suffering at all, we would take spiritual life cheaply, says Radhanath Swami.

In her poem “There Is a Reason for Everything,” the poet Helen Steiner Rice wrote:

“Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow;
He tests us not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow.
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm;
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form….
So whenever we are troubled
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirits strong. “

Radhanath Swami’s best friend, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, on whose insistence Radhanath Swami wrote ‘Journey Home’ also described God’s grace beautifully. Bhakti Tirtha Swami went through external sufferings in the form of cancer and amputations etc, especially during the last phase of his life. But he accepted these difficulties with grace and dignity, teaching all of us how to accept sufferings in this world. With heart felt gratitude to God for his sufferings, he composed the following:

“I asked for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve….
I prayed for favours, and God gave me opportunities”

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said:

“No, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.”
I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed.”

Radhanath Swami says that such heart-felt sentiments open our eyes to the understanding of why are sufferings and tests necessary: they help us to grow deep and take full shelter of God.

Radhanath Swami has often explained that these supernatural powers are side benefits of yoga; they are not the goal of a yogi. The authority on yoga has been Patanjali who has given ‘yoga sutras’ in which he mentions a lot of yogic siddhis or powers that one could obtain by systematic practice of yoga. These include psychic knowledge of the past and future, understanding the sound of animals, and telepathic insights into the thoughts of another mind. Powerful yogis can also make themselves invisible and attain physical strength comparable to that of an elephant. There have also been yogis described with the powers of levitating the body, entering consciously into the body of another person, and also have special powers by which they could live without eating or drinking. Besides psychic healing of the mind, yogis can also become as minute as an atom or expand oneself into space and become as large as any entity.

Radhanath Swami says these yogic powers are a distraction for the serious practitioner and are a trap because they lead us away from the goal of spiritual life. However they do increase our faith in higher powers. Recently the media carried the story of Mr Prahalad Jani, the 83 year old man who has defied medical science. A team of reputed doctors and scientists from Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) presented a report after carefully observing him for a period of fifteen days. The report calls him a ‘miracle man’; Mr Jani hasn’t eaten or drunk anything for the last sixty years. Dr Sudhir Shah, an eminent Neurophysician based in Ahmedabad, India has confirmed this case to be of a supernatural stature; a classic yogic siddhi. Just as the yogi at Dev Prayag baffled medical doctors, Prahald Jani too has left the medical science completely clueless, says Dr Shah. Prahald Jani claims there are many like this living in the forests of Himalayas.

The Vedic literature describes that there are yogis who possess the powers to manipulate laws operating in material world. These mystic powers are called siddhis, and are broadly of eight types: Anima: becoming small like a particle Laghima: becoming lighter than a soft feather Prapti: getting anything from everywhere Mahima: becoming heavier than the heaviest Ichitva: creating something wonderful or annihilating anything at will Vasitva: controlling all material elements Prakamya: possessing such power as will never be frustrated in any desire Kamavasyita: assuming any shape or form one may even whimsically desire The Vedic literature is filled with supernatural events and feats which according to modern scientific paradigm, were considered miraculous and therefore impossible and imaginary. Due to innocent faith in the feats of modern science and stubborn pride, which assumes that science is the only means of providing information about the cosmos and its phenomenon, unfortunately, educated persons were generally unwilling to accept the Vedic system of knowledge. But this one sadhu clearly shows that there are higher laws and phenomenon.

Radhanath Swami chanced to meet a few of them and almost all of them sought to go beyond mere exhibition of powers; they wanted to reach the abode of God. Yoga is to reunite our souls with God and not to increase our powers and continue to live in this world.

I haven’t met Kailash Baba but can vouch for the love and affection of Radhanath Swami. His affection attracts the love of our hearts. Earlier I had a misconception that spirituality means one has to be tough and devoid of emotions. In Radhanath Swami’s association I realized spiritual life is full of rich emotions and feelings. These feelings Radhanath Swami has expressed not just to human beings, but even to insignificant animals.

Once, Radhanath Swami visited Nasik, a center close to Mumbai. He was impressed by the temple and also surprised to see that there were turtles in the beautiful fountain in the temple. However Radhanath Swami was worried that turtles are not like fishes; they cannot be in water all the time. They need a place to rest. Radhanath Swami insisted that the devotees make a small island in that pool so that the turtles can rest. “They shouldn’t be uncomfortable” said Radhanath Swami as he enquired the details about the turtles. The other members watching were amused that here is a person who is busy and sought after all over the world and involved in many projects; yet he was doing serious service for mere turtles. Before leaving Nasik, Radhanath Swami also told the President to inform him when something was done for the turtles.

Radhanath Swami’s exchanges with Kailash Baba are sweet to say the least. I wonder how two individuals who don’t share a language can speak to each other. I got a glimpse of it when I served some of Radhanath Swami’s guests who came from Vrindavan, a holy place of pilgrimage in the Northern India. Under Radhanath Swami’s leadership annual medical camps are held in these villages; the villagers thus have a loving relationship with Radhanath Swami. When one family from this village was at temple I served them and once arranged their meeting with Radhanath Swami. They spoke for a long time in their native language while I translated for Radhanath Swami. After I finished, the family and Radhanath Swami simply shared smiles and laughter. Then for a long time there was no talk but only smiles and laughter. I wondered what was happening but the family and Radhanath Swami seemed to be completely comfortable. Then they said something which I couldn’t understand. I told them to repeat because I needed to translate for Radhanath Swami. They said, “Not needed. He has understood.” I was shocked to see Radhanath Swami switch on the fans; they had apparently told him that the room was getting hot. Again they sat together smiling and laughing for what appeared hours. I finally asked the elderly family from Vrindavan, “How did he (Radhanath Swami) understand when you said a few things in Hindi when I myself was finding difficult to understand your dialect?” The elderly man replied, “Son, you won’t understand. Your guru, Radhanath Swami speaks the language of love, and love knows no barriers.”

Radhanath Swami’s exchanges with Kailash Baba are also in the language of love- richer than all the languages of the world put together!

I was once talking to Mr Ashok Parekh, a leading Stock Market consultant on why he accepted Radhanath Swami as his spiritual master. He narrated an instructive experience with Radhanath Swami. When he was a new member of the congregation, one day he heard some dirty rumors and scandals attributed to Radhanath Swami. Mr Parekh was aghast; how could his worshipable teacher be accused? He did further investigation and found out who the perpetrator of the rumor was. He then decided to confront Radhanath Swami with these accusations. He was shocked to see Radhanath Swami maintain his composure and not once in the whole conversation did Radhanath Swami speak badly about the accusing team. It was obvious that they were a group of cheats who had political ambitions and wanted to discredit Radhanath Swami for their own selfish pursuits. When Mr Parekh presented the allegations, Radhanath Swami humbly yet assertively denied them. When Parekh said, “but Maharaj this person is speaking about you.” immediately, Radhanath Swami said, “He is a wonderful person. He is also a nice devotee and sincere member of the congregation. However what is saying is totally baseless.” Ashok Parekh further probed Radhanath Swami and after an hour long meeting, he was completely transformed to see the exalted spiritual qualities of Radhanath Swami. Not only was Ashok Parekh convinced of Radhanath Swami’s impeccable spiritual integrity, he was witnessing a rare phenomenon; not one hint of revenge or maligning the character of the accusing party by Radhanath Swami. Radhanath Swami was walking his talk. He genuinely loved even those who were trying to destroy his character.

Radhanath Swami is convinced that we should hate the disease but not the diseased. Behind the veil of all negativities is a pure soul, part and parcel of God. Radhanath Swami also encourages us to take shelter of prayer when we see someone not confirming to the expected behavior.

Radhanath Swami is emphatic about how our consciousness by nature is eternal, full of knowledge and full of joy. In a real joyful state based on truth, there can be no contamination. Real joy and love only wants to share themselves with everyone else. The nature of love is to give; the nature of envy and greed is to take. The real pleasure is in giving the love of our hearts. That love is already in our hearts. But our consciousness is impure. We are not aware of who we are. Radhanath Swami recommends that through the process of purification, our consciousness becomes clear; it becomes transparent. Through the transparent consciousness, we can experience God at every moment. It is this pure state of consciousness that Radhanath Swami wants us to aspire to attain. “And when you perceive that God at every moment, you realize, not that your feel, or you believe or you think, but you realize that whether someone calls that God Allah or Jehovah or Krishna or Rama or Buddha—God is the supreme object of love and the source of all that exists.”

Radhanath Swami echoes the same message as Tat Walla Baba; there is suffering in this world because we have forgotten our relationship with God. Our situation is like that of a young, rebellious and lost child who has abandoned his billionaire parents and lives in the ghettos, and languishes in poverty. Just like a father would be concerned that his child returns home to him, God also eagerly awaits our exercising our free will to return to him. A charitably disposed person may come and give the lost child food, clothes, television; this is compared the scientific advancement and sense gratification Another man may come and pep the child with inspirational talk and encourage him to be positive. This is akin to the mental speculation and ‘positive’ attitude theories that address the pain of sadness only superficially. Another man may encourage the child to perform some ritual puja or go to a tantric baba for happiness. This is compared to another type of superficial solution, namely rituals and religion performed superficially. None of the three well-intentioned benefactors have done complete justice to the lost child. A fourth person appears on the scene and takes the child to his billionaire parents. Such a person provides food, clothes and shelter to the child on the way home; he also encourages him with sweet words. Similarly the  solutions offered by the society for a person seeking happiness, is temporary; a person remains dissatisfied even after the help offered by these agents just like a child will be miserable even after a  bath, for he isn’t in the shelter of his loving parents as yet.

Radhanath Swami is a wonderful guide and teacher of spiritual life. A teacher of God consciousness encourages all to seek happiness through connection to God. just like a child is excited and happy on his way to his father, similarly a human being is spiritually surcharged and  blissful as he is endeavouring to go back home to his eternal parent- God- even as he continues to render his duties in this world. Our existence in this world then becomes a springboard for an eternal life in the spiritual world.

Richard is now learning the science of God consciousness more deeply and seeks to meet more sages and holy men.

Richard is growing in his spiritual quest and maturing with time. Radhanath Swami says unless we have this desperation to grow in our spiritual lives, advancement on the spiritual path is difficult. Radhanath Swami assures that as we seek to grow in our spiritual lives, we become mature in our realizations. And this will happen if we invest our time and energy in spiritual activities of hearing and chanting God’s names and serving selflessly. For a seeker of divinity, his search helps him mature. This can be understood with an example of a young, immature boy and girl. When they become physically mature, they see each other in a different light. Previously they had thought members of the opposite sex to be foolish, uninteresting and no good for playing with. Upon physical maturity they develop a different outlook—they become attracted, even infatuated. New, previously unknown desires arise in them. The same is true for a seeker of God who becomes mature. He or she will find new or previously unknown desires enter his or her mind: “Oh I wish to really serve God! Oh I really wish to satisfy Him and when, oh when, will I develop my relationship, my loving fulfilling relationship with the Lord?” Often God helps His devotee to mature by sending him a challenging situation which all of a sudden changes his perspective on life. At such a time new perspectives and desires arise in the mind. Radhanath Swami went through challenging situations and tests that helped him take shelter of God desperately. His realizations grew and prayers matured.

Radhanath Swami tells an interesting story to drive home the point of being intense in searching after truth. One day Socrates was wading into the public bath in Athens. Following him, a young man tapped Socrates on the shoulder and said, “Socrates, can I be your disciple?” Socrates continued walking, giving no response. “Socrates, can I be your disciple?” the young man repeated. Again Socrates gave no response. A third time the young man pleaded, “Socrates, can I please be your disciple?” Suddenly, Socrates wheeled him around, grabbed the young man’s head and thrust it under the water. He held the struggling man under until the bubbles started surfacing. Finally, when there was virtually no hope left, Socrates pulled the young man up out of the water and said to him, “Young man, when you desire truth as much as you desired air, then you can be my disciple.”

It is this kind of desperation that Richard was now developing in his quest. And when he would get to that level of desperation, ‘The Journey Home’ reveals, he meets his master and his path is revealed to him. Until then he continues to wander…