Radhanath Swami writes that his parents Gerald and Idelle Slavin were emblems of gratitude, kindness, generosity and dedication to the family. While they gave the best to their children, they were also careful not to spoil them, and always encouraged Richie and his brothers to be always thankful for all that was given to them. Radhanath Swami’s grandfather William Bill Slavin in particular left a deep impression in little Richie’s life; his unassuming and quiet way of harmonizing his old-world traditions with life in America fascinated little Richard (now Radhanath Swami)
The values and principles that parents live by has an effect in molding the character and personality of the children. One can see this principle wonderfully exhibited in Radhanath Swami’s character. Radhanath Swami, following the footsteps of his parents has repeatedly emphasized on gratitude, both in his talks as well as in his personal life.
In one brilliant talk, Radhanath Swami offers a penetrating analysis on the importance of cultivating gratitude. He reasoned that we can be happy only if we are simple and grateful. “We can be simple and grateful only if we don’t expect anything from anybody” says Radhanath Swami. We may find this difficult, but this seems to be the only way we can be happy. What happens when we expect something from somebody? Either the expectations will be met or the expectations may not be fulfilled. What happens if the expectations are fulfilled? Radhanath Swami reveals, “If you are a sincere spiritual practitioner you will be grateful for some time but the nature of this world is that the more expectations are fulfilled, more our expectations increase and eventually a gap between expectations and reality arises and it increases; we then remain forever dissatisfied. And when the expectations are not fulfilled, we go through negative emotions; we become angry, defiant, depressed and artificially indifferent to things and people around us.” Radhanath Swami then spoke on the virtue of being grateful and not expecting favors from others, “When we don’t expect anything from anybody we will be grateful for anything we get. Naturally then we will be simple and satisfied. Therefore just be simple.” Radhanath Swami went on to further analyze the word ‘just’. He said, “If I ask you, ‘sir please give me just one million dollars’ wouldn’t you be shocked? You would because you intuitively know that the prefix ‘just’ is incongruent with the amount of one million dollars. But if I say ‘give me just one dollar’ you won’t be shocked. This means the word ‘just’ is used to indicate that which is very easily available. Therefore when great saints and wisdom books implore us to ‘just’ be simple, we should know that they are not asking for something big but that which is very easy to cultivate.”
Reflecting on Radhanath Swami’s words of wisdom, I feel how unfortunate that most often we complicate our lives so much that we find it difficult to be simple and grateful. I hope to imbibe this quality of simplicity and gratitude that Radhanath Swami holds sacred.
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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........
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing the importance and value of gratefulness.
View CommentThank you-I learned very valuable lesson from the teachings of Radhanth swami maharaj
View CommentWe feel extremely grateful to this team to providing us these nectarian teachings of Radhanath swami
View CommentThank you for such an enlightening and empowering article on being “just simple and grateful”.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is giving us the key to happiness
View Commenti feel swamiji is speaking everything for me. it really is applicable to my life.
View Commentwonderful analysis of ‘just’ because of our complicated expectations and worries these qualities of surrender and simplicity ‘just’ do not come. Thank you very much Maharaj.
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What an beautiful explanation for living a angst and anxiety free life. Only Gratitude in life can help us live an more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Hare Krishna
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches these qualities of simplicity and gratitude by his personal example.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is teaching, how gratitude is key to real happiness
View CommentVery nice explanation from Maharajah how to simple and grateful.
View Comment“We can be simple and grateful only if we don’t expect anything from anybody”
Amazing!“We can be simple and grateful only if we don’t expect anything from anybody” says Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThank you for sharing a wonderful message in the words “We can be simple and grateful only if we don’t expect anything from anybody”
View Commentthank you HHRNSM for sharing such an important episode of your life with all of us, haribol, rajesh
View CommentHHRNSM is so humble and pure and with this episode of his life he has enlightened so many of us and it shall help us change our perception in life, haribol, bhakti
View CommentA lesson that I will work harder on now that it has become more clear to me. It’s such a important lesson.
View CommentVery nice reminder from Maharajah
View Comment“when great saints and wisdom books implore us to ‘just’ be simple, we should know that they are not asking for something big but that which is very easy to cultivate.”
Such an important principle!! I simply pray that these words of Radhanath Swami have an impact on my consciousness.
View CommentSimplicity is always fearless. radhanath Swami is like a personification of simplicity. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
How beautiful is this experience.
Hare Krishna
View CommentReally penetrating analysis on importance of cultivating gratitude – Thanks a lot for bringing out these wonderful instructions.
View CommentWhat a wonderful formula given by H.H. Radhanath Swami to become happy – Just become simple & grateful.Thank you Maharaj.I wish to follow this formula.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us the power of gratitude
View CommentSwamiji’s family is an ideal example for us. They lived so close to each others heart, shared joys and sorrows,lived with highest qualities. My parents are no more but we can imbibe the teachings for our children.Thank you very much.
View CommentSomething to learn for me to, Maharaj is a real life example. In marathi language it is called as ‘Bole tisa chale tyachee vandavee paule’- meaning who walks the talk shud be respected and worshiped
View CommentThanking you maharaj, for teaching us the power of gratitude & will follow this formula.
View CommentThank you Maharaj!
View CommentThank you very much for sharing
View Commentsimply wonderful-these act as lubricants of life, even in material life.
View Comment