Richard visited Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, the beautiful Lord who appeared in the role of a man to teach by His own example. He was ideal in all respects-as a son, husband, student, friend, brother and a king. All of these attributes of Lord Rama were meant to teach us the responsibilities we have in our relationships and to endear our hearts to love the Lord.
Seeing many temples, palaces and thousands of pilgrims at Ayodhya, Richard felt he had entered a royal kingdom. Richard was however shocked to discover the actual site of Lord Rama’s birth to be an abandoned mosque, enclosed by coils of barbed wire fencing and patrolled by soldiers armed with rifles. Richard learnt that a Moghul conqueror had built a mosque in the place where Lord Rama’s magnificient palace stood, and since then Hindus and Muslims had battled over ownership of the land. Finally government had seized control and military guarded the site.
Richard recalled similar tensions brewing in Jerusalem at the disputed Dome of the Rock, which is held as sacred by Muslims, Jews as well as the Christians. In his travels looking for God, Richard had discovered unique beauty in all of the world’s religions. But he realized that hateful aggression in the name God is also a sad reality of this world. It is the way of those attached to external forms without understanding the essence. The essence is one, unconditional love of God. The symptoms of any true follower are faith, self-control, love and compassion. Richard watched in wonder a soldier in full military attire offering worship to the painting of Lord Rama at the disputed site.
Many people feel that the world would be better off without religion. Their sentiments can be understood considering that the modern times have seen large-scale violence in the name of religion. But is religion the only cause of violence? The last century witnessed people fighting over practically every issue, including nationalism, regionalism, language, even sports. Most of the wars in recent times, and throughout history at large, have been fought due to greed for wealth and power. Religion is just used as a convenient scapegoat by the powers that be to conceal their grossly materialistic motivations. If religion had been the singular cause of violence, then the countries where atheism was the national ideal should have been free from violence? Facts hardly agree with this conclusion, as can be seen from the history of the East bloc countries.
Another common question that arises is does the human being really need religion? The universally accepted goal of life is the quest for happiness. When man neglects or rejects religion, then, consciously or unconsciously, his conception of his own self becomes “a lump of chemicals which has by chance come alive”. The quest for happiness then degenerates into a savage struggle for carnal enjoyment. Such a conception of life is individually frustrating & globally disastrous.
The fundamental need of the individual is love; everyone wants to love and be loved. Radhanath Swami explains that real religion and spirituality imparts an individual with the vision to see the cosmos in the proper perspective and to live in harmony with it. Quoting the non-sectarian Vedic texts, he says that actual self is anti-material; our material body is animated by a spiritual particle called the atma or the soul. The supreme spiritual being who animates the entire cosmos is called the Paramatma or the Supersoul. And the relationship between the two – the soul and the Supersoul – is explained to be that of loving service, somewhat like that between a son and a father. This loving relationship exists eternally in the highest realm called the spiritual world. When the soul refuses to be in harmony with the will of the Supreme, this relationship is temporarily obscured. The soul is then placed in the realm of matter, which is the place where all of us currently reside. Radhanath Swami further explains that genuine spirituality is meant to awaken the soul to his original spiritual identity. This is affected through a harmonious combination of philosophy and religion, which constitute the two rails on which spirituality runs. The philosophy aspect of spirituality involves the study and understanding of matter, spirit and the controller of both – the Supreme. And the religion aspect involves the following of certain rules and regulations, which bring about the actual realization and experience of the spiritual realm.
Richard also read English translation of the Ramayana, containing the life and teachings of Lord Rama. He began to slowly find his heart irresistibly drawn towards personal qualities of the Lord. Reading about the loving exchanges between Rama and His devotees drew Richard’s mind closer to the path of devotion.
“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.
Its a well known historic fact that often religion is used by certain interested parties to achieve their personal selfish goals leading to huge violence and hatred among common people.Thanks to Radhanath Swami we can clearly understand the true meaning of religion.
Radhanath swami Maharaj had done one of the greatest deed by putting down his autobiography in writing, which is at present and will encourage people for all ages to come in future.
Though inspiring article!
Hope the so called leaders of today’s world can understand this simple funda
In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that we should forsake all religion and surrender to Him. If we could only use religion for a greater understanding of God instead of a tool to control people, the world would be such a loving place. Thank you Maharaj for giving us this understanding.
Whether religion is for violence or peace is a raging question in the world today – Radhanath Swami clearly explains and lay out what real religion stands for.
in fact there is no mention of hindu religion in scriptures which is the basis of spiritual understamding, yet we fight on being a hindu. The mohammedans use to call the people of wholived along Indus river as hindus. religion is a matter of faith. having faith in the love of god and serving him unconditionally which is the nature of soul by default.
great blog thank you
@Sandeep
very true, we have to always remember that all the souls and part and parcel of Krishna. but when we meet a muslim we should be careful as well so that we save our soul. because nowadays many islamists are cultivating the wahabi mentality in their community.
very inspiring
If religion had been the singular cause of violence, then the countries where atheism was the national ideal should have been free from violence? Facts hardly agree with this conclusion, as can be seen from the history of the East bloc countries.Nice argument from Radhanath swami.
All Glories To H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
If only the modern day philosophers and self acclaimed pundits were to understand this reality they would not attribute lot of devastation and misery of the third world countries to religion.
But unfortunately also, a lot of so called practitioners of religion have some time or the other used religion to incite sentiments and achieve ends.
Hare Krishna
This is an amazing article! Radhanath Swami so clearly and carefully explains the need for spirituality and its inherent constituents – religion and philosophy. Beautiful!
Vested interest in any and everything is practiced today on every scale and order, religion is no exception, in-fact it just becomes a driving force – lets prove our religion is better than yours seems to be a common agenda some exhibit it with violence others with their sentiments.
Radhanath Swami is seen encouraging persons from all faiths to practice taking Gods name and rendering devotional service to him.
Hope all the religious leaders sit down together & understand the real truth from Radhanath Swami soon
Very beautifully explained by Radhanath Swami – What is true religion , why is it needed & how it is to be practiced ?
Just like we feel thirsty, we feel the need to be loved. Water fulfills the need of thirst; religion is to fulfill the need for love.
If only people of various religions understood that the essence is one – unconditional love of God.
this is a sad reality of today’s world that in the name of the religion some people fight the wars although the actual intention is some monetary gain or control. This observation to Radhanath Swami Maharaj about the Ayodhya is very much the confirming reality.
but despite that Radhanath Swami Maharaj has always taken out positive lessons out of everything and progressed, that’s very amazing to see.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a perfect peace messenger.
Maharaj is explaining the real essence of religion and spiritualitiy.
Such an amazing articles. Really an eye opening for todays leader. Thanks Maharaj. very clear distinction between religon and spirituality
Its true “The fundamental need of the individual is love; everyone wants to love and be loved. “. if one understand this simple fact it can bring real peace to the world.
Maharaj gave apt insight that it is not religion which causes violenace but indeed is the blackness of the heart of people due to greed and hatred, who use religion as a mere tool
Thank you for such a nice article.
Radhanath Swami’s learning mood which he showed during his voyage is remarkable and inspiring.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for putting light on such a burning issue
H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj has so nicely explained about the unfortunate incidents happening in the name of religion. All religious leaders should understand this. Unfortunately, religion is being used as a tool in the hands of leaders for accomplishing their own selfish goals.
Radhanath Swami has so nicely explained what is true religion and what we should imbibe in us and what we should not.
So amazing !
yes , religion is meant for peace but people are mis interprating it.
On his spiritual journey , Radhanath Swami saw both sides of the story, i.e. faith and devotion of religious people and strife and hateful aggression because of immature followers of religion. But, it’s remarkable that he always chose the bright side. It’s a lesson for all of us.
Radhanath Swami has very accurately explained to us what is real religion.
Thankful i discovered , this website, will be sure to take a note of it so i can check-out regularly.
Ascribing all violence to religion, or to consider religion to the most prominent cause for violence are both false… thank you Radhanath Swami for clarifying this concept so vividly.
Everyone of us is looking for everlasting love, our mind jumping from one object to another, and this love can be felt at soul level only. when we loose our connection with religion or spirituality, we think ourselves this body only, this leads to everlasting frustration.
Religion is the only aspect of our life that distinguish us from animal, if we loose it, we are no better than animal.
Radhanath Swami so nicely describes what is true religion and what is the cause of rift between various religions and why do people in general do not want to follow any religion. This article so relevant today when there are still disputes happening over the same place.
Thank you Radhanath Swamiji for nice understanding.
Such enlightened realization of Radhanath Swami should help this world today
Nice article – very thought provoking. The essence of true religion is one, unconditional love of God. The symptoms of any true follower are faith, self-control, love and compassion.
The preacher of words of krishna is always alert in his action like here Radhanath swami maharaj.
Hari Hari
Hari Bol
Radhanth Swami has very deep understainding of spirituality.
It is the fundamental need of everyone to love and loved by others. Which can be satisfied in true religion. True religion is to love and serve lord and his children, Radhanath Swami Maharaj exemplifies this through his actions, words and thoughts by always meditating how each and every living entity of the world can become god conscious so that one can get his lost love and peace can be established in this world……
Religion is not the reason of the war, great article.