After a pleasant learning experience of Vipassana meditation under S.N.Goenka, whom Richard found to be a man of honesty and integrity, Richard decided to go to Calcutta to seek the blessings of Mother Teresa. At Kali Ghat, on the bank of Ganges he entered a temple of Mother Kali, a compassionate energy of Lord Shiva. Inside the temple Richard was shocked to see a black goat being butchered as an offering to Goddess Kali. Richard nauseated and struggled to make sense of the striking contrast between the bloodshed he just witnessed, and the peaceful sages he lived among in the Himalayas who follow the same Hindu religion. He met a former priest of the temple who had quit his duties, unable to take the nightmarish experience of seeing innocent goats being mercilessly slaughtered. The former priest explained to Richard that in every religion people interpret scriptures and follow practices according to their level of realization. The Vedas are like a desire tree wherein we can find a path to fulfill whatever we seek. He also pointed out to Richard that Goddess Kali is a vegetarian. Richard realized he now needed a guide in spiritual life
“Up until this day, I had been thinking that examining many paths would broaden my understanding of spirituality. But this incident gave me a deeper understanding that, without a mature guide, apparent contradictions in every tradition could seriously bewilder me”.
The Hindu religion allows killing of animals as a concession for those who cannot give up meat eating altogether. It isn’t a license or a recommended path. There are many restrictions to eating of meat, and a sincere practitioner evolves to a stage of finally giving it up for the service of God. While killing the goat, the butcher chants mantras, hymns which translate literally as, “my dear goat, I shall kill you now but in your next life, you shall become a human and I shall be a goat, and then you kill me.” Offering such prayers regularly makes a practitioner think about the meaning of these prayers and he eventually realizes the futility of killing animals. He then evolves to a higher level of spirituality where he abandons meat eating.
To understand the rationale behind such apparently contradictory teachings in Hinduism, the Vedas- the sacred book of the Hindus- recommend studying spirituality under a bonafide, practicing teacher. A genuine teacher can not only help the student develop his relationship with God, he also resolves contradictions and confusions that a student may experience during his spiritual quest. Some people may be averse to taking guidance from a spiritual teacher but for developing material skills like dancing, martial arts, learning tennis or athletics they accept a coach or a guide. In other words, in order to gain mastery in any field, we agree to become an apprentice under an expert who is advanced in that field. Since we accept a teacher in every walk of life why not accept a teacher in spiritual life? Spirituality is also a science that is best learnt under a teacher who is self realized.
Although it’s recommended we accept spiritual guide, we should do so only after due testing; otherwise we may be cheated. For example, a person who accepts medicine from a quack is unintelligent and is inviting trouble and suffering. One should consult only a qualified doctor, who has graduated from a recognized medical college, has good clinical experience, and can help in curing the ailment. One cannot test the genuineness of a spiritual authority by the language he speaks, by his physical appearance or by his nationality. Just like the genuineness of gold can be determined by certain specific tests, there are also tests to determine the genuineness of a spiritual authority. He should be sense controlled, shouldn’t be teaching meditation for material benefits, and he himself must follow his guru sincerely.
Radhanath Swami, who has followed his guru for the last forty years, says, “The most important qualification of a Guru is he has awakened the truest desire to serve God eternally.” Following his guru’s footsteps, Radhanath Swami also aspires to eternally serve God as the servant of God’s servants.
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........
the self practice of spiritual life by radanath swami is very inspiring,
View CommentThere are so many scriptures whose teachings may seem conradictory to us. Interpretation by our own strength can often lead us wrongly. We have to understand from a bonafide authority. That authority is the Guru who is in a bonafide lineage of saints and follows his guru sincerely. It is told that spiritual life is like a razor’s edge, a wrong move can be damaging. But the Guru shows us the right & safe path always. What greater fortune can one have than having a Guru as Radhanath Swami!
View CommentContradictions create dounts in the heart of a seeker and a true spiritual master can guide his student, Thank you Radhanath Swami foe being such a genuine spiritual master.
View Commentnicely said
View CommentVery True.
View CommentGuru is a must to make a substantial spritual progress. If one tries to understand everything by oneself that will lead only to more and more bewilderment as at many times people just do what they do without understanding that why they do it.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for presenting such nice points for us to contemplate.
The whole gamut of vedic scriptures seem to be full of contradictions to someone reading it without the help of a teacher. The knowledge is called a great secret though anyone can buy the books because only by accepting a bona fide teacher and practising the philosophy the secret is revealed
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami Maharaj wonderfully explains that “The most important qualification of a Guru is he has awakened the truest desire to serve God eternally.”
View CommentWhat better guide can there be – Following the instructions of Spiritual Master
View CommentRadhanath Mahraj very genuinely explained the quality of true Guru which is “He should be sense controlled, shouldn’t be teaching meditation for material benefits, and he himself must follow his guru sincerely”.Jai Gurudev!!!
View CommentWithout the guidance of a bonafide guru like Radhanath Swami, anyone can be utterly confused by the various contradictions in the different strands of religion. We can understand these contradictions only through the deep spiritual realizations of saintly people like Radhanath Swami.
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View CommentFake self-styled gurus misinterpret the religious scriptures for their own vested interests & thus create more confusion in the minds of the common masses. We need to guard against the same by seeking shelter of only a bonafide guru like Radhanath Swami who belongs to a bonafide religious organization like ISKCON.
View CommentFor learning any subject we need Guru and Radhanath Swami by example and by this presentation given a very clear understanding of the subject.
View CommentMost important is that Radhanath Swami has followed his guru and the teachings without faltering – in fact he has gone ahead and definitely contributed positively to the community that his guru has built.
View CommentRadhanath Swami always says we are dasa, dasa anu, anu dasa here also he said,the most important qualification of a Guru is he has awakened the truest desire to serve God
View CommentThere are unlimited contradictions and confusions in life when we just deal with world around us. What to speak about Spirituality? Which is way beyond the grasp of senses and mind? Unless one is guided by a Spiritual master expertly it is impossible to successfully get through the .
Radhanath Swami’s life stands out as a wonderful example of this principle. He had association of so many sadhus, got residence/shelter in the most exalted place on earth Vrindavan – however this did not make him proud to say, ok I have learnt enough, I dont need a Guru! He became more and more eager to find and take shelter of a bonafide Guru.
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Swami Maharj for explaining this topic very wonderfully. The most striking point for me was -> “A genuine teacher can not only help the student develop his relationship with God, he also resolves contradictions and confusions that a student may experience during his spiritual quest.” which I see very rare now a days, There are so many fake gurus who sometimes claim to be god and play with the life of the spiritual aspirants.
View CommentGuru is the transparent via medium through which all the purports of the Vedas are automatically revealed. Guru tattva is worshipped throughout the scriptures. We must be grateful to RAdhanath swami for revealing this concept so beautifully in his book. thank you very much.
View CommentA true seeker of God is qualified to be a Guru.HH Radhanath Maharaj himself is a sincere follower of his Guru Maharaj A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada.The belief comes from trusting the Guru in complete faith and the conviction that he is on the right path following on the footsteps of Guru Maharaj.By his Guru’s mercy HH Radhanath Swami can himself lead others to the path of spiritual perfection.
View CommentWithout a mature Guide we can be bewildered … Radhanath Swami gives the same guidance to his students
View CommentRadhanath Swami by sharing his experiences is giving direction to people who are lost…
View CommentH.H.Radhanath Swami explains here clearly that one should always be under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master to receive the mercy of God .
View CommentGood points. Bookmarking to check back for follow-ups later.
View CommentRadhanath swami makes a brilliant point as to how we need a spiritual guide so that each of us can become sincere servants of God and not be bewildered by apparent contradictions in different religions of the world.
View CommentAmazing statement from Maharajah “The most important qualification of a Guru is he has awakened the truest desire to serve God eternally.
View CommentWe find it very difficult to follow somebody else because of our ego. We like to think we know everything. Hence spirituality teaches surrender to a genuine Guru who is not a CHEATER, but a TEACHER. Radhanath Swami is an excellent example of how his Guru (the self-realized Srila Prabhupada)can make his disciple (Radhanath Swami)advanced in spiritual life.
View CommentVery True ! Radhanath Swami is truly following in footsteps of His Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada & guiding tens & thousands people all over the globe !
View Comment“Up until this day, I had been thinking that examining many paths would broaden my understanding of spirituality. But this incident gave me a deeper understanding that, without a mature guide, apparent contradictions in every tradition could seriously bewilder me”.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has been a genuine follower of his teacher , so he is fully qualified to be a perfect teacher,himself.
Rightly said by Raj …Radhanath Swami has been a genuine follower of his teacher , so he is fully qualified to be a perfect teacher,himself.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s ardent desire in search of God, was given proper direction by his Guru. Also, Radhanath Swami perfected his life’s mission by being a true follower of his Guru and himself guiding millions of spiritual seekers all around the world.
View CommentHH Radhanath Maharaj has wonderfully explained that ” A genuine teacher can not only help the student develop his relationship with God, he also resolves contradictions and confusions that a student may experience during his spiritual quest”.
View CommentIn his book The journey Home , Radhanath Swami has given excellent account of how there are people who profess to follow spirituality , but within the core of their hearts they cheat their followers & also themselves.We must guard ourselves carefully & be fully confident before we accept a Guru.
View CommentRadhanath Swami from his experiences and realizations emphasize importance of having a bonafide Guru.
Thanks for the article which further explains how one should select a bonafide Guru
View CommentCruelty toward any living being is great ignorance. Without being compassionate towards other one cannot be dear to lord.
View CommentMaharaj always stresses on this point
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Guru OR the spiritual master is the one through whom we get knowledge.He is the one who guides us in our life.
View Commentevery living being as children of lord and respect them.
View CommentRadhanath Swami teachings are so profound and self realized, that is because he has sincerely followed his Spiritual Master and taken the instructions of his Spiritual Master as his life and soul.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj carefully distinguishes between the genuine & fake. But still he has retained respect for the fake.
View Commentto praise radhanath swami through words is not enough since words in all the available languages will be less,but to follow in his footsteps will be more appropriate,
View CommentRadhanath Maharaj always mentions that how evertyhing is happening by mercy of Srila Prabhupad. Srila Prabhupad similarly gave all credit to his spiritual master. Without mercy of guru one cannot make any spiritual progress
View Commentwonderful article
View CommentThis meditation by HH Radhanath Swami stresses the importance of Guru and parampara. HH Radhanath Swami’s terachings in this line changes many hearts and take them closer to God.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s new book The Journey Home examines th different spiritual paths but homes in on the most profound. Pure devotion to God without any other motive.
View CommentThank you very much.
View CommentWithout the shelter of a bonafide guru like Radhanath Swami, it is impossible to understand the contradictions between different religious faiths which is currently the root cause of all sectarian violence in the world. The human civilisation is in urgent need of genuine gurus like Radhanath Swami to restore the principle of religious tolerance and bring peace to the world.
View CommentThis article is a very important revelation! We should thank saints like A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Radhanath Swami for resolving contradictions in our spiritual lives and making it so much easier for us to follow.
View CommentRadhanath Swami, in this experiance of his tells us that not only should we take orders and follow our spiritual master but also consult him before taking any decitions in our lives.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is very well pointing out that in every path that we adopt there may be cotradcitions.He is thus guiding us to take shelter of senior authorities in case contradictions arise in our spiritual lives as well and that we try and resolve the cotradictions
View CommentVery nice
View Comment..Maharaj is guided world through this book by sharing experience. Maharaj is great.
View Comment