Meditations on The Journey Home – Lesson from Chapter 1
A spiritual quest almost ended even before it began. On the first night at Luxembourg, Frank, the only one amongst the three travelers who had money for the trip, was robbed. Frank was distraught and immediately resolved to go back to the comforts of his home. Richard and Gary however were determined to push on. As Frank bid goodbye, Richard pondered over the mysteries that awaited them on this journey.
I often remember Radhanath Swami’s journey, and can’t help wondering how one could travel with no money or a planned destination. My few travels within or outside India are always well-planned, and the trip is always preceded by some important phone calls to ensure there’s someone to pick me up at the destination. Money is undoubtedly the most important factor for travel. If I have no cash, then a traveler’s cheque or a credit card is a must; and then the clothes, food, and plenty of other concerns.
Was Richard a happy-go-lucky teenager, with no qualms about responsibilities? After all, that’s what drove most of the youth whom he met during his travels. But Richard was clearly different. He was making friends from the world over, but felt distracted. He related to museums, spiritual books, and canals more than the hundreds of hippies he met during his travels. Unlike many others of his generation who travelled with no fixed goal, and enjoyed recklessly, he mused over where his life was heading, and prayed for a direction. While most were out on a pleasure-seeking trip, Richard felt a misfit; he was seeking solitude while in the midst of the American and European counterculture.
A spiritual-philosophical perspective helps us make sense of Richard’s unusual feelings. A fish out of water wouldn’t be enticed with the best I-pod, succulent cakes or designer outfits. He’s desperate to be back in water. Likewise, a soul trapped in the human body and its related complexities maybe lured by exciting relationships, attractive cinemas, and promising career growths. However the soul always hankers for more than all that this world can offer. The soul’s water is the spiritual realm where he reunites with his loving Lord, and renders uninterrupted service to Him. This loving service and remembrance of God is the most natural position of freedom for the soul. Richard felt like a fish out of water, and longed to be in the sea of divine union with the Lord of his heart.
It is this desperation that helped Richard march forward in his journey and find the lost love of his life. Today Richard is Radhanath Swami, and he makes the same appeal to spiritual aspirants; call out to God desperately and seek spiritual happiness, rather than be content with the momentary pleasures, that this world has to offer. He often explains from the Bhagavad Gita, the ancient Indian book of wisdom, that the human mind is fickle, and if let loose, knows no peace. As we unleash our passion to acquire different pleasures, the mind points out the as yet unacquired delights. And the more elusive they are, the greater the passion to possess them. The enjoyment of all things material follows the law of ‘diminishing marginal returns’- with each successive pleasure derived from an object or person, the taste reduces in greater proportion. A drastic gap occurs in the expectation of pleasure, and the actual enjoyment experienced. To fill the gap then, the mind desperately urges us to spend more, buy more, and go wild. In the ensuing race for happiness, the mind’s demands remain eternally unfulfilled. It’s like scratching an itch- the minute relief is accompanied by a greater itch, and the more you scratch, more the itch. Repeated scratching only causes agonizing pain, and bleeding.
Richard desired to be free from the dualities of hankering and lamentation, and desired to be reinstated in his natural position of happiness, by loving and serving God.
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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........
Dandvat Pranam,
After reading your book tears came into my eyes. What god wanted from you at that stage of your life when everybody engrossed in self gratification is heart rendering. I totally believe that in this world lord is only the protector and protects me in every stage of life. I will follow your instructions in life to totally depend on the lord whatever the situations I may face. I pray at the lotus feet of lord that you may get a long and healthy life to direct us in our spiritual endeavour.
Your Servant,
View CommentJagdish Dumaswala (Kolhapur)
A touching picture showing one in search of real pleasures.
View CommentRichard Slavin went on his travels completely dependent on God and searching for God. No money, no acquaintances, just his strong desire to follow his inner callings. It is clear that if one lets off the petty shelters of money or high education or high birth and just take shelter of God, then ones life becomes the most exciting adventure. That is what Richard went through and that is what can happen with each and everyone but only when we submit ourselves to God’s plans. Otherwise our ordinary lives dont deserve even an article but the life of Radhanath Swami deserves many many books to be written and read.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s journey teaches us how on the path of search of God there will be obstacles but if we are determined and sincere then we can pass the tests put forward. In every role whether one is working for a employer or one is a student he is tested for his sincerity which is reflected in one’s performance.
Radhanath Swami through his experience is revealing to his world his quality of sincerity and determination. Its very rare to find people like Radhanath Swami. People in general hanker for material oppulence and are willing to go all out but here Radhanath Swami is going against the wave by giving up all everyone hankers for and willing to sacrifice even his life to achieve the real treasure which is Love of God. Simply Amazing. Radhanath Swami teaches through example.
View CommentAt the youthful age of 19-20 years, the kind of depth Radhanath Swami shows in contemplating and concluding on the pleasures of this world is very exemplary. This kind of learning is not seen in many people who have led a full life of 70-80 years & they die in great distress as they never understood the world or the goal of life.
Radhanath Swami is now giving himself completely to help others realize this in their lives and develop deep Spiritual qualities taking shelter of Vedic literatures(please check http://www.dandavats.com/?p=3854). Timing is running out…
View CommentIts a true story of a saintly person in the quest to reach to the ultimate goal of human life – self realization. It teaches us some many things like surrender, aim for the right things etc..
View CommentBy going beyond the pleasure of this world, we will find REal peace.
View CommentThe story is a complete saga of a great personality’s spiritual quest…….very very inspiring…….thanks a for sharing your experiences
View CommentAn amazing journey and truly an inspiration to millions. A must read for any seeker. Hari Bol.
View Comment” The Journey Home” book is one of the most realistic experiences I have come across in my life. And I thank the author RADHANATH SWAMI for sharing the same with all of us in search of our quests.
Regards, Rajesh Karia
View Comment“The Journey Home” book i ever not red in my life time such a great book. My 2 hands are insufficiant to take his beautiful mercy
View CommentYes, what a perservance and determination to know God. Born in India, I feel shameful, that I never had that thirst and inquisitiveness to know God.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a true God sent man. He is inspiring thousands of people like me thru the simple process of Bhakti.
A very inspiring story!!!
Thank you for gifting us with such a wonderful experience.
View CommentThis is story is very nice. Thank you HH Radhanath Swami for opening your heart in the form of your book “Journey Home”
View CommentFrom all that Radhanath Swami speaks, and writes, one thing which bears prominence is his humility and eagerness to see the hand of GOD in everything and share that same grace of GOD with one and all.
View CommentI thank him for doing the same with me.
The real secret to eternal happiness is very nicely depicted here by Radhanath Swami.
View CommentIndeed, their lies the true happiness only beyond the happiness of this world. Radhanath Swami has achieved this on the dint of his spiritual practices. Radhanth Swami is trying hard to share this wealth of true happiness with others who are seeking it but do not know how to get it
View CommentThis is the real secret. Thanx for reminding Maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s faith and unflinching determination is simply amazing. I can just pray to god to have a drop of it.
View CommentAn out of world personality!!
View CommentThis blog is so terrific, anybody who comes across this one has to get intoxicated. Radhanath Swami is so clear about what satisfies the soul exactly right from his early hood. I work in an IT firm and I could clearly see all the people around me always trying to improve in their position thinking that it would make them happy but that never happens. And they think that they need to achieve more and then they will be happy. We should search for happiness from within and that is what Maharaj is trying to convey in his book THe Journey Home
View CommentRadhanath Swami was and is always determined to walk on the path to Krsna. He is never swayed by illusory inducements of this world. It is no wonder the Lord is reciprocating so wonderfully with Radhanath Swami by rewarding his efforts with thousands of similarly determined disciples and followers across the planet.
View CommentThe position Radhanath Swami is very clearly mentioned here.
View CommentTo be happy eternally, one should follow the foot steps of Radhanath Swami.
This article highlights the desperation with the focused determination of Radhanath Swami in his quest in finding out the real meaning of life.
View Comment“Call out to God desperately and seek spiritual happiness, rather than be content with the momentary pleasures, that this world has to offer” what a wonderful statement by Radhanath Swami. Jay!
View CommentIt is amazing article. It clearly shows the inspiration and determination of RadhaNath Swami Maharaj about his goal of life amidst with hanging across hippies across his trip. He was very determined and looking for some inner solituate and because of his sincere determination he got the same. Really it gives us an hope that although surrounded with so many challenges, if are sincere in searching the absolute, one day will achieve the same by the mercy of Guru and God
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for this.
View CommentTo abandon all material hope and to trust in God
Not to depend on might or money but only the Lord
Eschewing carnal pleasures half the world to trod
His unique safe journey home is reassurance of Lord’s word
View CommentInteresting stuff, I feel somewhat enlightened and annoyed that I don’t know more on this topic, it seems in todays society a lot of what we should know is kept from us!
Interesting page!
View CommentThanks
Laura
the determination that Radhanath Swami Maharaj showed in the beginning despite a setback, is quite appealing. This shows he was desperately behind the meaningful goal of life and hence was not an ordinary person.
View CommentRadhanath’s Swami journey is really something which is very special and makes us feel that how Lord was always with him and whenever he called him out during various precarious situations, He was right there with him to protect his unalloyed devoteee it. Radhanath Swami. I would be very fortunate if I could get a chance to serve him in some way in my life.
View CommentThank you for sharing these amazing experiences from Radhanath Swami’s book – The Journey Home; a must read for nay aspiring spiritual seeker.
View CommentToday we are so caught running behind pleasures in this world and the training starts right from school!
We have no hopes unless, saints like Radhanath Swami help us!
View Commentvery inspiring.
thank you very much.
View Comment