I often wonder how a seven year old American child could have mannerisms of sadhus, the wandering mendicants seeking God, commonly seen in India. As a young Richie, Radhanath Swami refused to sit on chairs while eating and preferred to sit on the floor. He wore clothes and shoes only if they were old and worn out. These are the typical idiosyncrasies of holy men living in sacred places of India. Richard could relate more to the poor and downtrodden, and was often embarrassed if he had better things than others. 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?
There have been many researchers, psychiatrists and hypnotherapists who began with little or no sympathy for reincarnationist perspectives, but their research unavoidably pointed in this direction, and so, they proceeded with their findings. The work of Dr. Ian Stevenson, Carlson Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia, is particularly representative of this approach. Apart from Dr Ian Stevenson, many other researchers like Satwant Parischa, Gabriel Delanne (1924), Shirley (1932), B L Atreya (1957), Parrinder (1976), McTaggart (1915), Ducasse (1961) and Broad (1962,1971) have taken the subject of reincarnation very seriously and have researched and defended it. Over a 100 books and several research dissertations have been written on the subject of reincarnation since the late nineteenth century. Dr Ian Stevenson’s research of childhood reincarnation cases spans some 30 years. As of 1987, Stevenson had accumulated over 3000 cases of this type in his files and over half of these were of the “solved” type (that is the person’s past life experience had been determined beyond reasonable doubt). Thanks to Stevenson’s work, thousands of cases “suggestive of reincarnation” have now seen their way into print, and his related work is published in such prestigious academic journals as ‘The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease’, ‘The Journal of the American Medical Association’, and ‘The International Journal of Comparative Sociology.’
Through the centuries, a surprising number of intelligent, non-fanatical thinkers have believed in reincarnation. “I am confident,” said Socrates, “that there truly is such a thing as living again, that the living spring from the dead, and that the souls of the dead are in existence.” Ralph Waldo Emerson agreed. “The soul,” he wrote, “comes from without into the human body, as into a temporary abode, and it goes out of it anew…it passes into other habitations, for the soul is immortal.” A select group of 18th-, 19th-, and 20th- century Americans –
Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Tom Paine, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, among others – who
believed that the soul, the energy that animates the body, goes on to a new body when the present body dies.
Numerous scientists and psychologists have believed in reincarnation as well. One of the greatest modern Psychologists, Carl Jung, used the concept of an eternal self that undergoes many births as a tool in his attempts to understand the deepest mysteries of the self and consciousness. “I could well imagine that I might have lived
in former centuries and there encountered questions I was not yet able to answer; that I had to be born again because I had not fulfilled the task that was given to me,” said Carl Jung. Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer often spoke of past lives, rebirth, and the immortality of the soul. He said, “There is no death. How can there be death if everything is part of the Godhead? The soul never dies and the body is never really alive.” Harvard biophysicist D. P. Dupey wrote, “We may lead ourselves down a blind alley by adhering dogmatically to the assumption that life can be explained entirely by what we know of the laws of nature. By remaining open to the ideas embodied in the Vedic tradition of India, modern scientists can see their own disciplines from a new perspective and further the aim of all scientific endeavours: the search for truth”.
Now when I read Radhanath Swami’s autobiography I get a feeling he was just continuing his search from where he had left off in his past life. I am reminded of one of the most celebrated scientists, Benjamin Franklin, who wrote, “Finding myself to exist in the world, I believe I shall, in some shape or other, always exist.”
“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.
True,Radhanath Swami may be continuing his past life impressions but the very fact that he has come in our life is our great fortune and we must make most of it by following his teachings so that we can get out of this viscious cycle of repeated birth and death.
Radhanath Swami is very special gift to this world
Vedic cuture has provided insight into many wonderful aspects of spirituality and rich culture which should be well explored by modern countries. Thanks to saints like Radhanath swami who are progating this important message from Vedas
Truly these are unusual and unexplainable behaviours of Radhanath Swami Maharaj from any common understanding. Also one reason why God would have sent him is to become an instrument of compassion for spreading God’s love to many!!
The occurrences in the life of Radhanath Swami are truly remarkable and point to the hand of GOD directing his life personally.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Some experiences that have been narrated are simply out of this world. We can seek inspiration and want to grow on the paths of spirituality.
Hare Krishna
Surely H.H Radhanath Swami is here again to save we fallen souls. Thanks Maharaj!
Thanks for sharing.
Maharaj is a special gift to mankind…
Yes, without being a spiritually advanced soul right from birth, Radhanath Swami’s life would not have been as it has.
It may be reasonably construed that Radhanath Swami had roots in India in his past life/lives. Whatever may be he reason, we are fortunate that Radhanath Swami has come to us to teach us spirituality and lead us “Back Home”. Thank you Radhanath Swami for your presence and precious insights.
There is no doubt that Radhanath Swami is continuing his journey from his past lives as we read incidents in his book.
nicely arranged article.
The incidences happened in his life it self show that these are not possible for an ordinary man happened by chance. God has some definite plan to send such divine personality to spread His love to all.
good article
he is a transcendental personality
Very convincing on the fact of reincarnation.
Very nice article.
This describes nature wondefully, and surely its from last life; fro the spiritual world
Maharaj’s search for himself makes us search for ourselves…. his questions become our questions…
Maharajah is a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and has come here only to teach and inspire us that we can be happy here, now ,if we practice spirituality sincerely.
Thank you for sharing.
Radhanath Swami’s ‘The Journey Home’ reveals extraordinary facets. Very amazing journey indeed!!
This is really amazing. And it is the truth which is clearly explained in Bhagavad Gita. If one hears to it from a bonafide Guru one understands it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful meditation.
very positive, from the above event it is quite clear that radhanath swami was sent again by the supreme lord for the upliftment of the fallen souls who need direction to go back to their enternal and the original home, to god’s realm,
wonderful,thank you for sharing
Very clearly mentioned about the reincarnation of the soul. Soul gets different bodies according to the desire within it. Radhanath Swami tactfully transforms the desires tom please the Lord.All glories to Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami is a special gift to mankind. He has come to deliver so many fallen souls. That is the only purpose for his appearance in this life time
Thank you for sharing.
Very Insightful article – Reincarnation is a fact well proven by different research and explained perfectly in vedic scriptures.
thanks for this article
He is transcendental personality at least beyond my understanding, but one thing is for sure that he is here just to save many suffering souls in this world.
Prabhupada was asked by a person if he ever visited a fortune teller (jyotish). To this he replied, “Yes, all he said was that this is my last birth”. For a pure devotee who is the eternal servant of Krsna, there is no duality of material and spiritual since they a serving Krsna in either place. They are in this world but not of this world. And they are fixed in their determination to demonstrate the urgency of returning to the spiritual world as the supreme goal we fallen souls must cultivate in this life and the next…
Radhanath Maharaj’s Experiences are simply out of this world. By Just reading about them, we can learn a lot & apply in our lives helping in our krishna consciousness endeavours.
Very nicely expressed …