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From ‘absorber’ to an ‘observer’
December 24, 2010  |  radhanath-swami

Richard (now Radhanath Swami) began to question the values that the American society championed. He was disturbed by the injustices meted out on the Afro-Americans. Deep questions about life were troubling him, and he sought solace in music. Songs filled with emotions and feelings stirred Richard’s soul and he felt relief hearing folk music, Blues, B.B.King, Ray Charles, George Harrison and Johnny Rivers. A burning desire arose in Richard to seek a purpose beyond the wealth, fame and fads of the society.

Radhanath Swami was blessed with the ability to question the very fabric of the society he was living in. most however get carried away the waves of societal norms having little or no time and inclination to honestly examine if the values championed by the society are really beneficial to all. Unfortunately most are ‘absorbers’- they get pulled by what’s in vogue. Very few like Radhanath Swami are ‘observers’- the ones with the ability to stand apart and examine the direction in which their lives are heading. We can learn from Radhanath Swami’s teenage life the need for us to closely examine our own heart; are we pursuing selfish hedonism or are we desiring to add value and substance to our lives and other’s lives. The razzle-dazzle of modern lifestyle has left very few with a desire to seek meaning to life. Exposure to passive entertainment has made our senses dull, and reduced us to mere ‘absorbers’.

Radhanath Swami says that spiritual practices not only soothe the mind, they also bring clarity of thought and sharpen the intelligence. A spiritual practitioner is thus empowered to withstand the aggressive negative energy unleashed by the modern society; he/she can also be an instrument of positivity to many. Radhanath Swami assures that spiritual practices help us become proficient swimmers; we can first learn to swim in the ocean of this world and then also help others from drowning. Radhanath Swami’s own personal example of tireless services to people from all walks of life gives us hope that spirituality works. Radhanath Swami reasons that a ship is surrounded by water on all sides, and this water has the potential to sink the ship in minutes. However the challenge for the ship is to remain in the ocean and yet not allow the water to enter the ship. Similarly, Radhanath Swami appeals to all of humanity to face the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. “This is possible”, says Radhanath Swami, “if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”

Even as young Richard, Radhanath Swami abhorred worldly prestige. Now with deeper realizations, Radhanath Swami compares and contrasts seeking worldly prestige with the desire to love God. Quoting ancient scriptures of the East, Radhanath Swami says worldly power and fame is like broken pieces of glass in comparison to the priceless diamond of love of God. “Everything material pales in comparison to the treasure of love of God”, says Radhanath Swami.

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58 Comments


  1. radhanath swami is so pure in his thoughts, words and actions that he has been attracted and liked and followed by thousands of followers world wide, across the globe,

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  2. Radhanath Swami was real true seeker who steady after lot’s of obstacle.

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  3. It is really amazing statement from Radhaanth Swami that Everything material pales in comparison to the treasure of love of God

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  4. wonderful article, a must read for all, haribol, bhakti

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  5. Very truly mentioned that HHRNSM is leading by an example himself with so much of tireless selfless service that he does for people from all walks of life and it strengthens ones faith in spirituality, thank you Maharaj, haribol, rajesh karia

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  6. Thank you for sharing such an wonderful meditation.

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  7. Thank you very much for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “Facing the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. This is possible only if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”

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  8. Radhanath Swami’s purity enables him to introspect from an outside-inside perspective, and see what the Lord would like us to do.

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  9. Very nice analogy of ship and ocean. Maharajah is so merciful he gives us the solution too, how to remain in this world but not allowing the problem of life to affect us or degrade our consciousness.
    “if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”

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  10. Sheetal Maheshwari

    Radhanath Swami’s life itself reflects how he has been able to survive all the difficult circumstances due to his spiritual strength.

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  11. Thank you maharaj

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  12. Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Maharaj’s perspective, even though we see the same things, is so different and enlightening.

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  14. Very nice article…..the current education system teaches one to be an absorber rather than on observer…….what a pity……

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  15. Radhanath Swami lists a few of the immense benefits of spiritual practices – like a sharp clearer mind, that is unruffled and has the ability to tackle the onslaught of the modern day and age.

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  16. Maharaj ki jay! Thank you for sharing!

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  17. very nice article.

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  18. Its very difficult to maintain humility for someone who has so many disciples and followers around the world yet he is so humble which shows how deep his love for God and his devotees is.

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  19. Very nice article…..thanks

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  20. Very nice & Instructive….Thank you for sharing

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  21. Very wonderful article. Thank you very much.

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  22. Very nice indeed.

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  23. Madana Kishore Das

    Thank you Maharaj for sharing such wonderful realizations.

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  24. The sincere desire to find the Ultimate Truth comes across clearly as ‘The Journey Home’ unfolds amazing narrations by Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

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  25. sundar ananda das

    Radhanath Swami was blessed with the ability to question the very fabric of the society he was living in: So true!!

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  26. Thank you so much for this amazing article.

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  27. Great souls like Radhanath Swami come into this world to remind all of us about the imperishable regime of the Supreme Truth. Any attempt in that direction may bring realizations in our lives if we are sincere, serious and without ulterior motives.

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  28. Aspire to be an observer than be an absorber.

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  29. Let us all aspire for GOD’ merciful glance which is compared to a diamond and the only object worthy of one’ aspirations.

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  30. Radhanath swami relentlessly talks about developing good qaulities to attract the mercy of the lord to be empowered to serve the lord.

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  31. Everything material is valueles in comparison to the treasure of love of God. H.H Radhanath Swami could face so many difficulties due to his spiritual resolve.

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  32. Thank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us, how to pray helplessly to the Lord.

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  33. we are molded in our society in a way that whatever the trend in society we have to accept without much inquiry. And we accept them just to be acceptable to the society for e.g Smoking, drinking stc otherwise we are considered out cast. But Maharaj has shown thru his example that we should not accept things coming in our life blindly without examining the values.

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  34. Everything material pales in front of love of God – powerful from Radhanath Swami.

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  35. All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

    How beautifully stated.If only we were to practice this, we can bring stability to our endeavours on the path of Bhakti.

    Hare Krishna

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  36. Arjun K Ramachandra

    “Very few like Radhanath Swami are ‘observers’- the ones with the ability to stand apart and examine the direction in which their lives are heading” – I was really touched to read this and hope to become an observer instead of merely an absorber of the modern day negative propaganda.

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  37. Radhanath Swami Maharaj not only wards away the negativity of modern life but also teaches and inspires others to do so through his words, example and contagious faith.

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  38. M Pandu Rangayya Shetty

    Very appropriate analogy of ship not drowning in the water. All glories to Radhanath Swami.

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  39. Thanks to HH Radhanath Swami’s spiritual wisdom which has saved many many thousands….HIS words touch the heart and bring transformation. Very grateful to the Lord for bringing HIM in our lives.

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  40. HHRNSM is leading by an example himself.

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  41. H.H Radhanath Swami is preaching all humanity to face the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. All glories to Maharaj

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  42. Thank you for sharing this personal experience that Radhanath Swami encountered and his deep realizations.

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  43. it is so much important to be an ‘observer’ rather than an ‘absorber’

    thank you for bringing out this nice lesson from the life of Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

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  44. Very beautiful post.

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  45. This observance is required in today’s society also where people are just missing the actual happiness in life.

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  46. The likes of Radhanath Swami are extremely rare. In today’s society while everybody is being thought how to live for one self, be lean and mean, grab things from competetion etc, he had an opposite consciousness of selflessness. Wanting to understand the essence of everything and not get carried away away with temporary gains.

    Extremely wonderfully demonstrated by his own life of selfless service.

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  47. Thank you for sharing this from Radhanath Swami’s book.

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  48. By mercy of seers like Radhanath swami, surely we can elevate from absorber to observer

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  49. H.H Radhnaath Swami is like a ship helping thousands of people to cross over the material world.All glories to Maharaj.

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