Richard (now Radhanath Swami) met an extraordinary saint, Neem Karoli Baba, in Vrindavan. The Baba was affectionately addressed as ‘Maharaji’ by his followers. He taught that by chanting the names of Krishna and Rama everything desirable is accomplished. His solution for avoiding the addiction of criticizing and finding faults with others is very simple, “Love everyone, serve everyone, and feed everyone.” Radhanath Swami learnt that Neem Karoli Baba was a siddha Purusha, a perfected being. It had been documented that sometimes he could be in two distant places at the same time.
One of Radhanath Swami’s most endearing qualities is his humility, and I can therefore understand his natural liking for Neem Karoli Baba, who also exemplified this precious quality. I once heard that a certain sadhu who had heard that Maharajji was a great saint, decided to test him. He went to Maharajji’s house in the village and asked for food. Maharajji served rotis (flat bread) but the sadhu threw them into the fire and angrily got up and walked away. Maharajji was unperturbed in his service; he begged forgiveness from the sadhu for his offense and then requested him to wait for some time. Neem Karoli Baba then personally cooked rice, vegetables and sweets for him. Seeing this great soul’s humility, the sadhu was moved, and fell at Maharajji’s feet and begged forgiveness. He truly practised, “Love everyone, feed everyone and serve everyone.” Radhanath Swami once fondly recollected Neem Karoli Baba’s instruction on remembering God, “Keep God in your heart the same way as you keep money in a bank”.
Radhanath Swami describes his soul-searching discussions with Ram Dass, a celebrated disciple of Neem Karoli Baba and the author of the classic ‘Be Here Now’. Ram Dass was formerly Richard Alpert, a professor at Harvard University, and along with his friend and colleague, Timothy Leary had popularized LSD as a means of expanding consciousness. Radhanath Swami saw Baba Ram Dass’s deep affection for his guru and was touched by their exchange of spiritual love.
Radhanath Swami writes about Ram Dass in his autobiography as a friendly person with whom a sense of brotherhood grew as they shared the realizations and inspirations they had gained in their spiritual journeys. Radhanath Swami also learnt that in 1967, Ram Dass (who was then Richard Alpert) travelled to India, where he met the American spiritual seeker Bhagavan Das. As he guided Alpert barefoot from temple to temple, Bhagavan Das began teaching him basic mantras and asanas , as well as how to work with beads. After a few months, Bhagavan Das led Alpert to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba. Maharajji soon became Alpert’s guru and gave him the name “Ram Dass,” which means “servant of God.” Under the guidance of Maharajji, Ram Dass was instructed to receive teaching from Hari Dass Baba, who taught in silence using only a chalkboard. While in India, Ram Dass also corresponded with Meher Baba; however, he remained primarily focused on the teaching of Hari Dass Baba.
Among other things, Hari Dass Baba trained Ram Dass in raja yoga and ahimsa. It were these life-changing experiences in India that inspired Ram Dass to write the contemporary spiritual classic, Be Here Now, in which he teaches that everyone is a manifestation of God and that every moment is of infinite significance.
Radhanath Swami was meeting many saints in India as well as western seekers like himself who impressed him with their sincerity.
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........
So much to learn from everyone around only if we have a seeker’s heart like Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Thank you for sharing such wonderful personalities and wonderful lessons that were drawn from all such exchanges.
View CommentWorld is an image of ones own consciousness. Because of having a simple heart full of love, Radhanath maharaj can see everyone loving and humble.
View Commentwonderful experience, regards, rajesh
View Commentits very important to understand the fact that we all need to keep the Lord in our hearts as always, haribol, bhakti
View CommentIndeed India is the land for true spiritual seeks, we can learn so much if we have open heart, like Radhanath Swami & Ram Das.
View CommentRadhanath Swami loves & respects everyone as a part & parcel of the Supreme God. That is a sign of a pure devotee.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a true spiritual seeker. His search for truth has taken him to different guides who were seekers in their own merit. All this has been wonderfully conveyed through the book ‘The Journey Home’ written by Radhanath Swami. Please visit http://www.radhanathswami.com for more details.
View Comment“Keep God in your heart the same way as you keep money in a bank”. This is an amzing quote of Neem Karoli Baba as remembered by Radhanath Swami. Thank you Radhanath Swami for such a nice meditation.
View CommentIts amazing how the website contributors are able to take such precious extracts from Radhanath Swami’s book and put it up in such an interesting manner with so many inputs and realizations. Thank you for this nectar. This is truly food for the souls hankering for more of Maharaj’s pastimes.
View Commentan excellent quote keeping god in heart as we keep money in bank. this shows how mech we should treasuring our spiritual life. thank u swamiji
View CommentHumility wins hearts.
View Commentsharings about radhanath swami is always inspiring and soul touching,
View CommentThank you for sharing these experiences from the life of Radhanth Swami.
View CommentThis reminds us of experience of Ambarish Maharaj how he not being at fault was begging for forgiveness. This is a quality which only pure devotees of the Supreme Lord possess.
View CommentThis is a very wonderful meditation. If this one principle loving every one and serving everyone is followed the whole world becomes a Vaikunta. Thanks for sharing this wonderful meditation.
View CommentRadhanath Swami got invaluable association of genuine saints on his spritiual quest…….
View CommentThank you for such a nice article.
View CommentThanks for sharing this wonderful article from Journey home.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is full of all good qualities & great leader who sets an example by himself
View CommentIt is amazing how many good souls Krishna has placed in Maharaj’s path through his spiritual journey. Maharaj was sent by Krishna to propagate his Holy name and teachings and through these wonderful souls Krishna has facilitated this process. My humble obeisances to Maharaj.
View CommentThe land of Bharata is blessed by the appearance of great sadhus like Neem Karoli Baba.
View CommentI like the instruction “Keep God in your heart the same way as you keep money in a bank”. It is someone that every one can relate and understand.Awesome. Thank you.
View Commentthis is a wonderful example of how to live. thank you for sharing such an amazing experience.
View Commentthank you for sharing such a wonderful article
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has the rare quality of appreciating everyone!
View CommentRadhanath swami’s exchanges with great personalities bring various spiritual qualities in the front for general people to meditate. Thanks a lot.
View Comment“Love everyone, serve everyone, and feed everyone.” – This statement shows the humility of Neem Karoli Baba ji and Radhanath Swami who accepted so many teaching like this is really a great soul.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is truly simple at heart. That’s why he could genuinely appreciate the simplicity of Neem Karouli Baba and his followers.
View Comment“Keep God in your heart the same way as you keep money in a bank”.Simply Amazing!!! Thank you Radhanath Swami
View Commentthank you
View CommentLove everyone, serve everyone, and feed everyone. Very sublime teaching to practice.
View Comment“Keep God in your heart the same way as you keep money in a bank”. Wow! What a realization this one is, Radhanath Swamis book ‘The Journey Home’ is full of experiences with persons from all walks of life infact it is like a artists canvas which is a mélange of colours which appeals the eye, in the case of the book it gives joy to the soul.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has learn spiritual principles from all the saints of India.
View CommentHeart touching, thankyou for sharing
View CommentWorld is perceived as an impression of one’s consciousness. Since Radhanath Swami Maharaj is so humle and can love everyone, he could look for only good qualities whomsoever he met.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s sincerity is really very touching…!!!
View CommentServing everyone as everyone is the child of God is the remarkable statement and acting up on is the best process to please the God. Radhanath Swami always remembers such activities from many saints whom he met earlier. all glories to Radhanath Swami.
View Commentthank you maharaj
View CommentThe teachings of Radhanath Swami enables us to appreciate sincere spiritual efforts of different Gurus.
View Commentone sincerer soul attracts other sincere souls.Radhanath Swami Maharaj learned different qualities/things from the different spiritual aspirants he met. And now we are also able to learn it through him.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is the embodiment of the quote, seek and you shall find.
View CommentGreat saints like Neem karol baba are very rare in this world
View CommentVery nice descriptions of sadhu and the loving exchanges they exhibited for us to learn and practice in our lives.
View CommentThank for such a wonderful article
View CommentI liked the point on humility
View CommentLiked the point on humility
View CommentA very important lesson to learn as to what kind of company must a spiritual practitioner seek.If one’s desire for pure devotion is sincere,Krishna leads them to right people and places.Thanks to Maharaj.His experiences are enriching our lives in ‘Bhakti’.
View Commentits really amazing article.We can learn many thing from many people in our lives
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
How spiritual qualities in one follower of spitiuality shall attract another follower is truly exhibited by the above narrative. These qualities are the one also which become a point of attraction for the world at large and and inspiration for many. Such experiences in life of Our Maharaj are and will serve as potent inspiration for generations to come.
Hare Krishna
View CommentThis article shows how sincere and serious Radhanath Swami was in his voyage for seeking the Absolute Truth which he finally got.
View Comment