Meditations on The Journey Home – Lesson from Chapter 1
Richie (now Radhanath Swami) had habits that were unconventional by middle class American standards. He refused to sit in chairs while eating and preferred to sit on the floor, which his parents forbade. A compromise was settled for; Richie would stand at the dinner table. He got his new clothes washed again and again, until they looked old, before he agreed to wear them. He scraped his new shoes with rocks till they looked worn out. Richie idolized the poor and having better things than others embarrassed him. Once at a country club dinner, he disrupted everything and ran away from the table on discovering that the busboy serving was his classmate.
A spiritual seeker leads a simple life, by minimizing his or her personal needs, while maximizing his confidence in God. In India, the sadhus, the spiritual mendicants, live in the forest, with mother earth serving as a chair, table and bed. They wear ragged clothes, and give away their belongings, and subsist on madhuakri, daily meager begging for food. It is a voluntary life of denial of material comforts; not for nothing but for a higher purpose- fixing the mind and energy on service to God. Even as a young child, Radhanath Swami had an inclination for being simple. Radhanath Swami explains that a Sadhu’s primary characteristic is his dependence on God, and of possessing a humble service attitude, fixed in the consciousness that he is the servant of God and all living beings. As little Richie, Radhanath Swami also displayed the characteristic of being conscientious. He ran out of the club so as to not hurt his friend; even as a child Radhanath Swami was sensitive to others’ feelings.
A genuine seeker of God is not impressed by the externals of a spiritual path. He delves deeper into the meanings of rituals, and explores the inner secrets of outward worship and prayer. This natural drive to seek deeper meanings prompted Richie to ask the Jewish rabbi for the meaning of the prayers that he was tutoring Richie in. The Rabbi became emotional; not every seven year old begs to know the meaning of prayers offered to God. In India most children learn to pray when they are young, but seldom does a child seek to know the how’s, why’s and what’s of a prayer. Richie’s honest enquiry deeply satisfied the Rabbi, and he explained from the Talmud, “It is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties and doubts in order to do His will, rather than pray for him to do our will.”
Before I read ‘The Journey Home’ I had been disillusioned with religious rituals, and had reasons for being cynical. I can’t forget a friend’s wedding I attended some years ago where the priest called upon the bride and the groom to perform holy rites, while the guests watched smoke rise from the sacrificial fire. The hall reverberated with the loud chanting of Sanskrit mantras (hymns) by the priest sanctifying the marriage. Suddenly there was a protest; one of the guests- a Sanskrit scholar himself- heard carefully the chanting of the mantras, and was upset at the insensitivity of the priest who’d been blabbering hymns not connected to a marriage ceremony; he even offered rapid mantras meant for a funeral service! A bigger shock for me was the callousness of the marriage party; they politely quietened the complaining guest and let the function go on unchanged. I left disappointed at the sham of a sacred wedding where no one understood or cared for the significance of the rituals.
At a time when we witness increasing religious intolerance, global terrorism (justified in the name of God), and corruption by the clergy of different faiths– all originating from superficiality in understanding and practice of religion- Radhanath Swami’s concern to go beyond the externals of religion comes as a breath of fresh air.
“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.
Excellent
Hare krsna
PAMHO
AGTSP
It is personally inspiring me a lot to take the book for reading more throughly and by this i am able to glorify Maharaj a lot………
Thank you very much…………..
YS
Kripashankar
Wow. Radhanath Swami had certainly set high standards for himself. It’s so difficult to imagine that as a young boy he had all these characteristics of a spritual seeker who has now become one of the most respected spiritual leaders of recent times. Kudos to him and his family.
This book is Simply Outstanding piece of art!!
I am simply inspired to see the deternmination of Radhanath Swami. People in todays age are determined to earn wealth, fame, fortune etc. which is all temporary but here Radhanath Swami shows the real path. Jesus Christ said seek and you shall find.. We can see in the example of Radhanath Swami how the Supreme Lord reciprocates with Radhanath Swami one of the sincere seeker of God.
amazing to know the qualities a great personality has
Great stuff. thanks for this
Its so inspiring to know that Radhanath Swami displayed all symptoms that a spiritual seeker should have (as described in spotless scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam).
All Glories to H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Can such modesty be practiced willingly by each one of us, and if we decide to do so , it brings to fore our weakness to do so.
Its so inspiring and will be an eternal source of inspirition for all of us who want to get pure devotional service.
Hare Krishna
The symptoms shown by Radhanath Swami when he was 7 year old indicate that he was not an ordinary person. His autobiography “The Journey Home” proves it beyond doubt that he is not a sadhu seeking self prestige, money, name, fame, or followers.
The world very badly needs such great souls to save its current run to self destruction
Actually Radhanath Swami doesnt need to possess anything material. He has the greatest wealth with him – love for God and other jewel like qualities like simplicity, compassion, humility which are seen in a genuine deevotee of the God
“A genuine seeker of God is not impressed by the externals of a spiritual path.” Very True ! Radhanath Swami is truly a Spiritual Seeker !
Excellent post!
Purpose behind activity is forgotten totally. Radhanath Swami teaches to act with the knowledge of purpose. All glories to Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami ensures that he does not embarress any one, that is one of his qualities.
Radhanath Swami has nicely touched upon the difference between being ritualistic and being spiritualistic.
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Wonderful artcile. Thank you for sharing qualities of a genuine spiritual seeker dependence on God, possessing a humble service attitude, fixed in the consciousness that he is the servant of God and all living beings, and delving deeper into rituals
very inspirational article, thank you Maharaj for such a wonderful gift you have given to all of us, regards, rajesh karia
nice article, bhakti
Great souls like Radhanath Swami are always in the same mood of humility and servitude for others. Being simple and accepting ambarrasment is not a hindrance for them to progress on the spiritual paths they have given their lives for.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for making us focus on the essence of religion.
I’m very grateful to His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj for teaching the essence of spiritual life by his own example.
Very nice teachings from HH RNSM life
Thank U
Thank you Radhanath Swami for infusing fresh hope in the lives of aspiring spiritual seekers.
HH.Radhanath swamiji has shown qualities of a Sadhu when he was a child.Feeling embarassed if somebody has less than us is a great quality.Thank you for sharing such nice meditation with us.