Meditations on The Journey Home – Lesson from Chapter 1
Richard and Gary surrendered their lives to the will of God. Not knowing where to go in particular, they decided to travel wherever destiny took them. The duo found themselves at Calais, France, and then at Geneva. Soon a twist of fate bought them to Florence. Through it all, Richard was grateful to God for arranging different situations in their life. After Jim, a friend whom they met at Geneva, lost his money, Gary wondered if it wasn’t bad luck that whoever tried to help them loses everything. Richard insisted there’s a reason for all setbacks, and God had a beautiful plan for them.
It’s difficult to see God’s plan when things don’t go our way. But Richard had faith, and he prayed intensely at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. He also questioned his own motivations for travelling and through serious inner search asked if he was trying to escape responsibilities. The way out for Richard was to offer prayers, and while probing deeply within, he helplessly called out to God, “I don’t really know who you are, but I do believe you hear my prayers. I long for your presence.”
Suddenly Richard went through a spiritual experience-his limbs trembled and body quivered, as Bibilical passages echoed in his mind. His confusions and uncertainties were resolved with a shower of grace from the Lord, as new determination surged in his heart. Now, once and for all, he chose the path of spiritual aspiration with no looking back.
When doubts and uncertainties haunt us and things just keep getting worse, prayers work wonders. Radhanath Swami repeatedly implores us that we should have a prayerful mood and thank God for all situations, even those which are painful. He reasons, “Sometimes we do not understand how a certain situation can be God’s kindness. At such times we should humbly submit a prayer, “Oh God, please give me the strength to see this situation as your mercy although my intelligence fails to see it so”. This way we can attract the Lord’s grace and develop gratitude for all inconceivable situations that God arranges for us in our life”. Once Niranjan Swami, a close friend of Radhanath Swami asked him from where does he draw his strength to practice spiritual life, day in day out, for over the last four decades. Radhanath Swami humbly gave a one word reply, “Praying.” Praying is our talking session with God. I once wondered, if God knows everything that’s there in our heart, what’s the need for us to offer our prayers to Him. Radhanath Swami answered this in a class recently that although God knows us in and out, yet He patiently waits for us to turn to Him. Although our prayers are a distracted performance, yet He derives immense pleasure to see us repose our love in him; just as a loving parent derives great joy in hearing the broken words of his or her infant, attempting to speak. Although the child is incoherent, the parents are joyful; similarly our attempts to offer loving prayers is a baby step in our spiritual life, and God certainly feels happiness at our endeavor.
The best prayers to offer is to beg the Lord to help us surrender to His will. Richard educated Gary on this subject while hitchhiking; a flower grows from a small seed buried in the dirt due to surrendering to the sunshine, similarly we too grow in our spiritual lives when we bask under the shine of Lord’s grace and accept all reversals and success with a quiet grace and gratitude.
“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 thoughts and principles mentioned here are more deeper than any ocean on our planet.
It has those rare Spiritual secrets that could carry us through the rough weathers that every Spiritual sailor has to face in order to reach the shore of Divine Love of God…
My most sincere gratitude to Radhanath Swami for writing the most wonderful autobiography – “The Journey Home” and dedicating his life completely in guiding others on the Spiritual path back to the Kingdom of God
I am usually not a commenter, the reason being that there is so much more to read. I do comment on blogs where I feel like I am part of a community rather than just being there to receive information. the feeling of social togetherness, make me write comments.
True, its very difficult to understand GOD’s plan. But if we have faith like swami ji then we can definitely undrestand GOD’s plan one day.
Strong faith in God clears the doubts within the hearts. Radhanath Swami never loses faith in God. It is really inspiring all.
Such a wonderful point! “When doubts and uncertainties haunt us and things just keep getting worse, prayers work wonders”.It is during difficult situations that our real test comes and how we react to such situations becomes the litmus test.Thank you radhanth Swami for this wonderful instruction.We pray to you that we somehow adopt this humble prayerful mood …”to beg the Lord to help us surrender to His will”
I liked this quote the most of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj ““Sometimes we do not understand how a certain situation can be God’s kindness. At such times we should humbly submit a prayer, “Oh God, please give me the strength to see this situation as your mercy although my intelligence fails to see it so”. Thank you Maharaj!!
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Radhanath Swami is a person who has realized true shelter in God and His Holy Name. By taking shelter of the perfect person, our life also becomes perfect. By following footsteps of such exalted souls as Radhanath Swami, that is the real perfection of our life.
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The qualification to understand Gods plan is to have faith that whatever He does is good for us. Radhanath Swami is the living example of this understanding
its very true that god has different plans for all, very inspiring article, regards, bhakti
we must pray, prayers really work, regards, rajesh karia
it was enlightening to hear a pryer like this. Thank You. “The best prayers to offer is to beg the Lord to help us surrender to His will”.
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What a wonderful statement “Oh God, please give me the strength to see this situation as your mercy although my intelligence fails to see it so”. This way we can attract the Lord’s grace and develop gratitude for all inconceivable situations that God arranges for us in our life. Thank You.
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Thank you very much for reminding to be grateful and prayerful in all situations. Thank you for sharing the mood of prayers while one may be going through some difficulties
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The best prayers to offer is to beg the Lord to help us surrender to His will. Difficult but very important. Thank you maharaj.
Radhanath Swami so wonderfully explains what is a prayer,what to pray, power of prayers.
Radhanath Swami so wonderfully explains what is a prayer,what to pray and power of prayers.
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Wnderful message from Radhanath Swami. It has taught lot of lessons.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for practically demonstrating the power of sincere prayers.
Thank you Maharaj for explaing the power of prayers.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing your wondeful realisations on prayers and taking shelter of God’s will
Liked this one…..
Thank you very much, for this heart touching post.
“The best prayers to offer is to beg the Lord to help us surrender to His will.”
This has rare secrets that could carry us through the rough weather that a Spiritual sailor has to face in order to reach the shore of Love of God.I am grateful to H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj for writing the wonderful autobiography – “The Journey Home” and dedicating his life completely in guiding others on the Spiritual path. Maharaj ki jai.
prayers play a very vital role in a spiritual aspirants life as is aptly pointed out by the author from the meditation on the life of Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
wonderful Radhanath Swami having great faith in prayers towards God. we should also try to develop such faith that at inconceivable situations we should stand steady and thinks it as mercy of Lord for our utmost benefit.
Radhanath Swami’s faith strengthens our faith that firstly when we pray The Supreme Lord is listening and giving us inner strength to tolerate all that disturbes the mind.
Very powerful life example of Radhanath Swami…this book not only teaches the important practices of spirituality like praying but also delves deeper in to the right motivations/attitudes with which we should do it…
Thank you for sharing,What a lesson given by swamiji,which gives us strength in our spiritual life.
Richard insisted there’s a reason for all setbacks, and God had a beautiful plan for them. Always, so wonderful!!!