Richard (now Radhanath Swami) wasn’t even a teenager when he enquired from his Rabbi the meaning of the prayers he was being taught. The Rabbi was overwhelmed by this sincerity and tears welled up in his eyes.
Most people don’t pray. Many who do aren’t aware of the meaning and goal of these prayers. Radhanath Swami is teaching us even as a young boy that we should invest our feelings and emotions into the prayers we offer. A prayer session should not be an empty ritual; it’s also not to be a parrot-like repetition of some chants or verses; instead we are supposed to offer our heart to God. Although the scriptures of all religions teach us the art of praying, many followers have focused on the externals of these religious rituals. As a result, the world has seen wars and conflicts based on externals of religion. Radhanath Swami has focused on the essence even as a young boy.
Radhanath Swami explains that there are essentially four levels of approaching God. At the lowest level is the practitioner who approaches God out of fear. A little higher motivation is to worship God so that He bestows blessings and pleasures on us. The third level is a little higher religious system which invites its followers to worship God out of a sense of duty and obligation. While the fundamental elements in each religion play the card of fear and reward, the authentic spiritual paths emphasize on serving God out of duty.
However the goal of a genuine spiritual path is to take its followers a step higher, to the fourth level. 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. Radhanath Swami has always held sacred the aspiration of a spiritual seeker to love God and not want anything material in return. This kind of prayers, Radhanath Swami says fills the heart with the highest spiritual bliss-pure and free from any material contamination.
Radhanath Swami implores spiritual practitioners of all faiths to offer prayers to God out of love and a desire to serve. Only when our prayers are devoid of any selfishness will we find deep inner contentment and meaning to life. Little wonder then that Radhanath Swami reminisces the Rabbi’s teaching from the Talmud, a book on Jewish law written by Rabbis thousands of years ago, “It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.”
“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.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story about Radhanath swami’s childhood. I liked this prayer –
It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.
Thanks you so much Maharaj for enlightening us.
I really appreciate the appeal radhanath Swami has made to spiritual practitioners of all faiths to offer prayers to God out of love and a desire to serve. That is the real request.
Radhanath Swami always on several occasions pleades his followers to offer nice players to lord
a wonderful mood of prayers to give strength to fulfill will of lord not ours.
Very simple guidance for all of us to follow on the essence of prayers
““It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.” All Glories to Radhanath Swami.
It is a real challenge to offer prayers without motivation. Radhanath Swami’s words of wisdom and realization are priceless.
following the footsteps of radhanath swami will surely bring the transformation in the lives of the followers,
thank you for sharing nice thought provoking article.
Prayers are very important to mould ones character…..its true most of the people today dont know how, when & most important, what to pray…..but after reading this article, all this doubts are cleared…..thanks for this wonderful article……
Radhanath swami has always given us the highest- prayer for selfless unmotivated love for God.
Prayers have tremendous power to solve all our problems
Radhanath Swami teaches an invaluable lesson: the meaning of prayers and how to pray in the right spirit.
Thank you Maharaj for enlightening us.
Very nice blog
RADHANATH SWAMI is rightly showing us how to get into the right attitude of prayer. Thank you Maharaj.
Real religion is centered around prayers to engage one into the selfless service of the Lord.
Very instructive article……thanks
“It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.” Amazing!
All glories to HH Radhanath Swami. Swamiji always focuses on the essence and he compares ritual to be like a postal envelope without any letter inside. I pray that I can pray properly for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do God’s will, rather than to pray for Him to do my will
Beautiful point raised by Maharaj”The final goal of a true spiritual path is to help the practitioner reestablish his/her dormant, uninterrupted and unmotivated loving service to God.”
Prayers are the best means to connect to the divine
This is very instructive & enlightening…Thank you so much
Thanks for giving the real perspective of praying………
HH Radhanath Swami teaches us a wonderful lesson:- Praying is so important but even more important than that is praying in the right attitude.
Than you Maharajah for teaching us the true meaning of “Prayers”.
“Only when our prayers are devoid of any selfishness will we find deep inner contentment and meaning to life”.
Nice. Thank you for sharing. The prayer in end is definitely noteworthy and describes the true mood.
Very instructive and enlightening.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing such a wonderful experience.
we can easily see how a special person Radhanath Swami Maharaj was even before coming to India. He was so much attracted to prayers and till the day he says it is the source of his strength.
Radhanath Swami inspires many people to sincerely to Lord to do the needful for everyone. Through prayers we can get the sublime truth in our lives and Radhanath Swami is a live example who has done so.
Thank you Swamiji for explaining so nicely the way to pray.
Thank you for this beautiful explanation of meaningful prayers
Very nice understanding
Maharaj in many of his lectures tells us how to pray to Lord.
Really prayers helps a lot. Radhanath Swami’s teachings are the best to yield the best results. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
This statement from Radhanath Swami’s book had the most profound impact on me.
wonderful article on the importance of prayers, thank you Maharaj, haribol, bhakti
HHRNSM in this article has very beautifully explained the importance of prayers in ones life and the mood in which one must offer prayers to the Lord as they say ” prayers always work its only the mood in which we pray”, thank you Maharaj, haribol, rajesh karia
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What a beautiful and profound understanding.Sincerity and steadfastness can help us take Bhakti seriously.
Hare Krishna
“It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.” I pray to Guru and Krishna that one day I will be able to follow this principle completely.
“It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.” I pray that I may be able to come to this level one day before leaving the body.
Radhanath Swami many times tells that prayer is not a ritual or some mechanical chanting of mantras. Rather it is a deep meditation of expression of our love for God.
‘Only when our prayers are devoid of any selfishness will we find deep inner contentment and meaning to life.’ Thank you Radhanath Swami for giving us higher ideals to aspire for.
it is very inspirational to see how Radhanath Swami Maharaj was interested & emphasized in the prayers which were completely selfless.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for taking me beyond selfish prayers
Radhanath Swami is wonderfully explaining the import of offering heartfelt prayers to the Lord.
Amazing article – It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.
The preaching of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj to spiritual practitioners of all faiths to offer prayers to God out of love and a desire to serve. This is just wonderful. Otherwise, the prayers become a business dealing.
Thank You Very Much Dearest Maharaj…this is really inspirational…