An entire chapter in The Journey Home describes Richard’s struggle at the Indian immigration. It had taken him six long months to hitchhike across Europe and the Middle East to reach there. And now, with the denial of entry into the land of his dreams, India, would all of his efforts go in vain?
Shaken, I walked back some distance along the road behind me and sat in the shade of a large neem tree. As I gazed out across the flat green Punjabi countryside, my mind reeled. Where to go? What to do?
How long I sat there stunned, I do not know. But when awareness of my surroundings broke through again, I knew that I would not turn back. (From The Journey Home)
Richard, now Radhanath Swami, didn’t turn back; he was determined to push ahead and he finally got through. This determination to never give up despite heaving obstacles has been the constant theme of Radhanath Swami’s life. Focusing on the negative side of things weakens that determination, and so Radhanath Swami never sees the negative, he is always positive.
Those who head Radhanath Swami’s various welfare projects get to work closely with him; and they too evolve, in time, to a state of seeing everything in a positive light. But how does that happen, practically? It all begins when you face Radhanath Swami to report about your project’s progress. You love him, you want to please him. And if you are sensitive enough, you quickly grasp—and even if you aren’t, it won’t take you too long before you understand—that reporting of any negative development in a negative light displeases him. Although he doesn’t openly express his displeasure, that subtle feeling that you displeased him nonetheless gets transmitted across to you, almost magically. Inevitably, you are confronted with a mammoth task: to report unpalatable stuff, sometimes tons of them, in a positive light! It’s a massive strain, and it all seems an artificial exercise at first. After all, you wonder, why not call a spade a spade? Still, you take on the ordeal, fearful that you’ll displease your beloved Swami. And finally, you somehow manage to get things right—everything reported in a positive perspective. With time however, after a few such reporting, you find that it’s getting more and more natural to do that. And before you realize, you even begin to see things, people and events, in the same way—everything positive. With the Swami’s help, a sacred treasure is thus unearthed.
Being positive not only helps us, it’s a great service as well. Recently, one of my friends posted on Facebook, “Reading news is depressing.” Negative energy surrounds us on all sides. In that darkness, even a candle light, one person with a positive outlook to life, can surcharge the ambience with hope. Isn’t that service?
The ultimate secret of that positivity lays in seeing the merciful hand of God acting through everyone around and through every aspect of life.
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Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“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........
Thanks for posting this article on Positive thinking.
View CommentWe need to always carry a positive attitude, following in the footsteps of Radhanath Swami Maharaj. The perseverance to fight and never willing to give up despite all odds will surely take one to a great level in spiritual life.
View CommentThe ultimate secret of that positivity lays in seeing the merciful hand of God acting through everyone around and through every aspect of life – Wonderful inspiring words!
View CommentThanks for sharing this wonderful article
View CommentVery heart-touching story in life of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. It reflects to the fact that if we are sincere, serious and without ulterior motives, we will get success.
View CommentCompletely new perspective of how Radhanath Swami expects the report to have positives and how devotees have to put even most of the negative aspect also in a positive way to him in their reports by genuinely finding positives from it. It goes to show how Radhanath Swami imbibes positivity to them. Inspiring and a great takeaway point for us where we should always take the positive from any situation. Thank you very very much for sharing.
View CommentNice explanation by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on seeing things in positive perspective.
View CommentWonderful! Thanks for sharing all such incidents which shows the inner qualities..
View CommentAll great devotees right from Srimati Radharani always on the look for positives in every one. Even Lord Jagannath is looking admiringly the positives in every one with wide open eyes. HH Radhanath Swami is no exception. Seeing positivity in every thing is a divine quality.
View CommentBeing positive not only helps us, it’s a great service as well.one person with a positive outlook to life, can surcharge the ambiance with hope. Isn’t that service?
View CommentNice explanation by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentThanks for sharing the secret of positive outlook,”The ultimate secret of that positivity lays in seeing the merciful hand of God acting through everyone around and through every aspect of life.”
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami’s entire life is full of positives despite so many challenges and difficult situations. Millions of lessons can be learned and applied from his life teachings.
View CommentSwamiji’s life has been so instructive for everyone…
View CommentAll glories to Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentI got so much out of this article, it is written so nicely.
View CommentThanks for this wonderful article by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentWe need to learn from Radhanath Swami to see positive in everything.
View Commentnicely explained by HH Radhanath Swami.
View CommentWonderful article…..
View Commenthope giving article
View CommentThank you for these transcripts.
View CommentVery inspiring article.
View Comment“If we are sincere, serious and without ulterior motives, we will get success.” The journey of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a testimony for this.
View Comment“This determination to never give up despite heaving obstacles has been the constant theme of Radhanath Swami’s life”. One can learn a lot from this determination of HH Radhanath Swami.
View CommentWonderful! Thanks for sharing
View Commentvery inspiring…
View CommentDetermination is one of the favourable quality for progress in Krishna consciousness. That one can develop with the association of Maharaj.
View CommentWe can develop this spirit of feeling always positive through constant hearing and association of exalted devotees like HH Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Ki Jai….
View CommentVery inspiring.
View Commenta nice article which inspires everyone
View CommentPositive attitude develops automatically when we follow the footsteps of great souls like HH Radhanath Swami.
View CommentNice meditation by HH Radhanath Swami. Being positive always opens the doors for kingdom of God.
View CommentThank you for sharing this wonderful article :).
View CommentThank you for sharing this wonderful article and beautiful article :).
View Commentbeing positive not only helps its a great service as well.-nice realisation
View CommentAll glories to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentNice explanation by Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentThank you for sharing this wonderful and beautiful article :).
View CommentThank you for this inspiring article. We can be positive only when we have Lord’s blessings
View CommentEach action is sanctioned by Krsna who never commits any mistake.One who accepts everything that comes up on him as the mercy of Krsna is an optimist, having full faith in Krsna.All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
View CommentI have also heard a senior monk in the RadhaGopinath Monastery saying that depression is a sign of Atheism, which is very very true. Thank you for this beautiful article
View CommentSo true of being positive and never look at anything negative side- which drains you out with no result, just frustration.
View CommentBeing 100% positive always is the trade mark of all genuine spiritual practitioners and HH Radhanath Swami exhibits this quality 100% all times.
View CommentAmazing answer by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj!
View CommentSeeing the hand of God in every activity and every aspect is the hallmark quality of HH Radhanath Swami.
View Comment“The ultimate secret of positivity lays in seeing the merciful hand of God acting through everyone around and through every aspect of life.” Thank you Maharaj for these enlightening words.
View CommentThe ultimate secret of that positivity lays in seeing the merciful hand of God -thanks for sharing this.
View CommentBeing positive is the one of the many exalted qualities of HH Radhanath Swami.
View Comment