Meditations on The Journey Home – Lesson from Chapter 1
Although Richard was losing all interest with the counterculture movement, he still wanted to give one last try to see if it did give any happiness at all.
“… Still, like a man on the verge of death may struggle for one last chance to survive, I was about to dive into the excesses of my generation like never before. ”
One part of Richard was retreating and questioning the basis of leading an indulgent lifestyle, yet another part of him felt a desperate need to prove to himself that he could enjoy like the others. He enjoyed but felt miserable, and saw himself fighting an inner force that was pulling him away from a life of sense gratification.
“… A force within me was dragging me away from it all. Battling against that inner force, I was determined to be victorious, to experience firsthand the unrestricted pleasures glorified by society. Was it the Lord in my heart I was fighting? Yes , I silently boasted, and I’m winning the battle . But late at night, when I came back to the river, gazing down into the current, I felt ashamed. I was winning but I felt lost.
During this period it was a tug of war-God was pulling Richard away from the life he knew to a life of spirituality, while his mind refused to let go the attachments to this world. For many pursuing a hedonistic goal, there is apparently no struggle of choice. For sincere seekers of truth however, the struggle with the mind is worth the effort because rich spiritual realizations come when we say ‘no’ to the lower urges and ‘yes’ to the call of conscience and prayer. Richard’s sincerity of purpose gave him a feeling of emptiness, amidst the abundant pleasures that lay before him.
One evening he sat in silent meditation and felt an oceanic peace, in comparison to which all earlier attempts at sense pleasure seemed irrelevant. Then with sincere reverence he entered a church and was struck by a particular Biblical passage where Jesus instructed his followers, “Come out from among men and be separate.” Richard felt a substantial realization awakening in his heart, “Why should I waste my life trying to fit in with the social fashions of my peers? Why not try to live on my own terms? And hopefully, someday, on God’s terms?”
It is this aspiration to live our lives on God’s terms that surcharges the soul with a volcanic eruption of ecstasy. Then everything else pales into insignificance. When a spiritual aspirant endeavors to dovetail his consciousness with that of the Supreme, he lets off binding inhibitions, and instead experiences a life of unrestricted freedom. Radhanath Swami explains that a prisoner within the prison walls has restricted freedom, whereas one freed from the jail has the whole world to explore. Similarly the mind traps us with the chains of dualities- desire and hate; happiness and misery; likes and aversions. When we respond to the call of God within, we are freed from the chains imposed by the uneducated mind, and experience spiritual love. If a seeker tolerates the mind’s ramblings during this intense period, he shall soon see the mind cooperating in his spiritual quest.
The Vedic scriptures reveal that God resides in the heart of every living entity as the super soul, a silent observer of our activities and desires. When we cultivate a desire to turn to Him, He immediately arranges situations to facilitate a loving relationship. Cultivating a spiritual desire removes the multiple layers of dirt from the heart, and helps us see God’s hand clearly in our lives. Amidst the thousands of confusing and contradictory voices of the mind, the call of Lord in the heart becomes clearly audible to one who seeks to serve rather than exploit. Radhanath Swami uses an analogy to make this point: A radio may simultaneously catch transmissions from many stations and as a result, the broadcast may be inaudible. As we attentively fine tune the radio, the sound is clearer. Similarly the many voices of mind make it impossible to hear the Lord’s voice in the heart. However, by cultivating the right desires and aspirations, we clear disturbances and make our heart a fit receptacle to catch God’s message of love.
Table of Contents
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........
Truly…..only those who question today’s ways and goals of hedonistic society can inspire the youth to take to the right path…..the spirituality. I sincerely thank the author for writing this book and teaching the entire world through his own example.
View CommentGreat one & more i seek sheltar in the pictures: http://radhanathswami.org/Radhanath_Swami_Gallery.html
View CommentHare krishna,
View CommentRarely somebody accepts the path of perfection and rarest person distributes it out of compassion, radhanath swami is one of those who is distirbuting the same to all fallen souls
Radhanath Swami provides a vivid description of his amazing introspection in these passages. He writes “I was winning but I felt lost” ….amazing penmanship.
View CommentTruely amazing. More about Maharaj’s book on
View Commenthttp://thejourneyhomebook.com or http://radhanathswami.iskcondesiretree.info
Truly inspiring
View Commenthttp://www.radhanathmaharaj.net/content/cooperating-higher-purpose-radhanath-swami
I am very much inspired by the autobigraphy of Radhanath maharaj. To read the book please visit http://thejourneyhomebook.com
View CommentI am very much inspired by Radhanath Swami’s realisations shared in this passage of his book, and grateful to ‘Radhanath Swami’s fan’ for squeezing even more juice from them. We are familiar with what the body feels like when it is dying of thirst. Knowingly or unknowingly, our thirsty souls are being quenched by this flow of nectar.
One word came to my mind when reading this meditation, which I would like to share: CHOICE.
We have free will. No one can take it away from us. It is the one thing fully under our control. What are we doing with it from moment to moment?
We can use that free will to attract God’s love and mercy through our attentive love, service, and devotion…or abuse it, by misidentifying and settling for the less fulfilling gross and subtle pleasures of the body and mind.
Sometimes we try so hard to convince ourselves that we are happy as we are, or that we will eventually, one day, be happy in this world through our persistent endeavours and plans. We’ll keep searching…keep trying new things and one day we’ll find it.
Why should we wait? Constant happiness is the birthright of the soul. The opportunity to be happy is available NOW if we are eager to learn how to access it! But like an inheritance, it is our responsibility to claim happiness.
There is a saying: ‘It is as sure as death.’ Meaning…it is guaranteed.
If we CHOOSE to act in our real and natural identity of the soul, as a SERVANT of God and all His parts and parcels…happiness is guaranteed 100%.
If we CHOOSE to act independently from the will and purpose of the all-loving, supremely sweet and kindest well-wisher that is God, we are guaranteed to end up confused, frustrated and unhappy 100%.
Radhanath Swami once said: there must be war before there can be peace.
We may have to battle out our choices and struggle to consistently choose the good of the soul over the demands and dictations of the distracting mind and body, but as someone once said: ‘Where there is a will there is a way…and where there is no will there are excuses!’
Sometimes the truth hurts but we can ask ourselves: if for example we were eating an unhealthy diet e.g. fries and burgers every day and someone told us…you know there are alternatives; why don’t you try fresh fruit and vegetables, home-made vegetarian pastas, pizzas, soups, curries, breads and rice preparations? They tell us we will feel more energetic, experience less disease and add years on to our life.
We could protest and say we have no choice but our usual diet, that we don’t need a new diet, what’s the point?! Or we could be a bit brave, admit we could be missing out on a more beneficial healthy way of living and give it a try!
What is there to lose in exercising our free choice intelligently?
View CommentAmny a times we find ourselves in situations where life seems to be a losing battle. By hoping & praying to God we get the direction & courage to face the battles in Life
View CommentVery inspiring…
View CommentMaharaj is like the brilliant shining SUN who can dispel all darkness in our hearts…He is like the soothing MOON who can give us shelter from the blazing fire of material existence. He is like the lovely rainfalls which can wash away our bad karmas…!! Jai Guru Maharaj..
Radhanath Swami’s perseverance & determination to overcome the temptations of material life serves as a shining example for everyone who desires liberation from the endless, miserable cycle of birth & death
View CommentAmazing, shows the grit of the person who is actually looking for the Supreme person.
View Commentthe journey home shows how the mission of lord chaitanya is being carried out by the supreme will of lord and how HH radhanath maharaj is teaching all of us by his own example
View CommentEvery human being has to read book because he has written for us and our duty is to read spreak his message. HH Radhanth Swami Maharaj hi jai…
View Comment‘Seriousness’, ‘sincerity’ and ‘no ulterior motive’ are three things which can take us ahead on path of pure devotion: says Radhanath swami..This is exactly is reflected in His own life..as seen in transparent and honest journey of his life..and that is why He has achieved Real success on path of pure devotion. This is preaching by actions…and this inspires all sincere seekers of ultimate truth. Thanx for your exemplary life, Swamiji.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s ‘THE JOURNEY HOME’ is breathtaking. It is such an intense autobiography of a true seeker that it has had a tremendous impact on me. And every fresh reading leaves me with new perspectives. Im eternally grateful to Radhanath Swami for sharing this heart warming story with all of us.
View Comment“I was winning but I felt lost”……Radhanath Swami aptly describes the dilemma we face in our materialsitic life
View CommentRadhanath Swami is ably describing the quandary that even we come across with many a times… and Radhanath Swami could come over it…..he choose spiritual path…
View CommentIt is inspiring to see how Radhanath Swami came across these situations but as he was following the voice of his heart and thus he could get through it…
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami is very special persone.
View CommentWhat a wonderful thought and meditation. For most spiritualist like myself we have a hard battle to leave the unnecessary things of this world. Where as great saints like Radhanath Swami had to force himself to try and see if there is any pleasure – he found none.
Radhanath Swami so beautifully explains a very deep and practical point for a spiritual aspirant:
For sincere seekers of truth however, the struggle with the mind is worth the effort because rich spiritual realizations come when we say ‘no’ to the lower urges and ‘yes’ to the call of conscience and prayer
View CommentMaharaj rightly pointed out the fact that its our free will what to do with the every passing moment in our life ,god calls us with different realisation,its on us how to understand these realisation.
“The many voices of mind make it impossible to hear the Lord’s voice in the heart. However, by cultivating the right desires and aspirations, we clear disturbances and make our heart a fit receptacle to catch God’s message of love”.
View CommentIt is the best battle to lose – a battle which the Lord wants to win. Radhanath Swami allowed this to happen early on in his life and that is why we see him where he is today.
View Commentamazing introspection!
View CommentIts easy to move with the crowd… but to stand out following the voice of the soul is a challenge.. a great lesson taught by Radhnath Swami
View CommentVery nice analogy. Radhanath Swami’s life is teaching lessons at every step. Thanks a lot.
View Comment“Why should I waste my life trying to fit in with the social fashions of my peers? Why not try to live on my own terms? And hopefully, someday, on God’s terms?”- Words to be meditated upon for life.
View CommentWonderful and inspiring quote by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj “the many voices of mind make it impossible to hear the Lord’s voice in the heart. However, by cultivating the right desires and aspirations, we clear disturbances and make our heart a fit receptacle to catch God’s message of love.” Isn’t it meaningful…should remember it.
View Commentvery inspiring and motivating, radhanath swami maharaj ki jai!! Regards, rajesh karia
View Commentnice article, thanks for sharing, bhakti
View CommentAlways listening to the voice of the Lord from within is itself an unimaginable task.. and then to follow it requires tremendous determination ..Radhanath Swami is simply great!:)
View CommentLiving life on god’s terms. Now that’s a wonderful choice.
View Comment“For sincere seekers of truth however, the struggle with the mind is worth the effort because rich spiritual realizations come when we say ‘no’ to the lower urges and ‘yes’ to the call of conscience and prayer.”
how true is this for Radhanath Swami Maharaj. He always chose to say ‘no’ to the lower urges, which really requires strong desire to do so.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has very honestly written in his book about the dilemma going on in his mind. This episode helps us to make the right choice when we face such situations. Thank you.
View Commenteach and every experience oh HHRM in the book is a realisation by itself, Maharaj we all are in-debted to you always. Our sincere thanks for this boon you have given us, regards, rajesh karia
View Commentit takes a great visionary only to revolutionize ones living by doing selfless services for the benefit of others, thank you Guru Maharaj, bhakti
View CommentYes, It is so true that Radhanath Swami felt the hedonistic way of life as a binding and thought to get free and live on own terms which may some day become God’s terms.
View CommentAt the same time, we need to learn that if one is not very sincere about the spiritual life but he feels that feeling of trying out various paths and methods, most probably he will land up in the shelter of some cheating way of life or so called spiritual life. That’s why this exploring thing needs so much intense desire to achieve the highest goal in life to really achieve the highest goal without being cheated.
All Glories To H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What an wonderful explanation of what our endeavour should be towards our inner calling.
Hare Krishna
View CommentI find the life of an aspiring spiritualist more adventurous and fascinating than of the heroes of war or the revolutionaries. Their battles are so much tougher, and so much more significant.
View CommentAll glories to H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami in motivating us to have the right kind of desires and aspirations which will help us in the service of Lord Krishna.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has tried to explain that we are just like a bird which is trying to enjoy this material world without knowing that there is a closest friend of him, sitting just besides him, but he is unable to see him due to enjoying mentality. Once we turn towards this closest friend, He at once guides us to self-realization.
View CommentRadhanath Swami helps us how to hear the clear voice of The Lord.All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View Commentthank you for the article. I particularly liked the analogy of radio fine tuning given by to Radhanath Swami. it makes understanding very clear.
View CommentHHRNSM has very beautifully explained in this article the importance of cleansing the heart and hearing the inner voice of the Lord to clear all our disturbances, thank you Gurudev, Haribol, bhakti
View Commentwonderful article from the Journey Home book, thank you Maharaj for such guidance and understanding, haribol, rajesh karia
View Commentvery practical lessons for everyone on the spiritual path…Radhanath Swami drawing out the struggles and success formula
View CommentWonderful realizations! We have to be determined and choose the right path if we want to progress spiritually.
View CommentWhy not try to live on my own terms? And hopefully, someday, on God’s terms?”- Wonderful realization by Radhanath Swami. Hope we can try to live on God’s terms and perfect our lives.
View CommentThanks you it’s inspiring article!!
View Comment