Richard (now Radhanath Swami) began to question the values that the American society championed. He was disturbed by the injustices meted out on the Afro-Americans. Deep questions about life were troubling him, and he sought solace in music. Songs filled with emotions and feelings stirred Richard’s soul and he felt relief hearing folk music, Blues, B.B.King, Ray Charles, George Harrison and Johnny Rivers. A burning desire arose in Richard to seek a purpose beyond the wealth, fame and fads of the society.
Radhanath Swami was blessed with the ability to question the very fabric of the society he was living in. most however get carried away the waves of societal norms having little or no time and inclination to honestly examine if the values championed by the society are really beneficial to all. Unfortunately most are ‘absorbers’- they get pulled by what’s in vogue. Very few like Radhanath Swami are ‘observers’- the ones with the ability to stand apart and examine the direction in which their lives are heading. We can learn from Radhanath Swami’s teenage life the need for us to closely examine our own heart; are we pursuing selfish hedonism or are we desiring to add value and substance to our lives and other’s lives. The razzle-dazzle of modern lifestyle has left very few with a desire to seek meaning to life. Exposure to passive entertainment has made our senses dull, and reduced us to mere ‘absorbers’.
Radhanath Swami says that spiritual practices not only soothe the mind, they also bring clarity of thought and sharpen the intelligence. A spiritual practitioner is thus empowered to withstand the aggressive negative energy unleashed by the modern society; he/she can also be an instrument of positivity to many. Radhanath Swami assures that spiritual practices help us become proficient swimmers; we can first learn to swim in the ocean of this world and then also help others from drowning. Radhanath Swami’s own personal example of tireless services to people from all walks of life gives us hope that spirituality works. Radhanath Swami reasons that a ship is surrounded by water on all sides, and this water has the potential to sink the ship in minutes. However the challenge for the ship is to remain in the ocean and yet not allow the water to enter the ship. Similarly, Radhanath Swami appeals to all of humanity to face the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. “This is possible”, says Radhanath Swami, “if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”
Even as young Richard, Radhanath Swami abhorred worldly prestige. Now with deeper realizations, Radhanath Swami compares and contrasts seeking worldly prestige with the desire to love God. Quoting ancient scriptures of the East, Radhanath Swami says worldly power and fame is like broken pieces of glass in comparison to the priceless diamond of love of God. “Everything material pales in comparison to the treasure of love of God”, says Radhanath Swami.
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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........
radhanath swami is so pure in his thoughts, words and actions that he has been attracted and liked and followed by thousands of followers world wide, across the globe,
View CommentRadhanath Swami was real true seeker who steady after lot’s of obstacle.
View CommentIt is really amazing statement from Radhaanth Swami that Everything material pales in comparison to the treasure of love of God
View Commentwonderful article, a must read for all, haribol, bhakti
View CommentVery truly mentioned that HHRNSM is leading by an example himself with so much of tireless selfless service that he does for people from all walks of life and it strengthens ones faith in spirituality, thank you Maharaj, haribol, rajesh karia
View CommentThank you for sharing such an wonderful meditation.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “Facing the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. This is possible only if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s purity enables him to introspect from an outside-inside perspective, and see what the Lord would like us to do.
View CommentVery nice analogy of ship and ocean. Maharajah is so merciful he gives us the solution too, how to remain in this world but not allowing the problem of life to affect us or degrade our consciousness.
View Comment“if we helplessly call out to God through heart felt prayers, begging for the mercy to be able to serve him purely with absolutely no desire for any selfish pursuits.”
Radhanath Swami’s life itself reflects how he has been able to survive all the difficult circumstances due to his spiritual strength.
View CommentThank you maharaj
View CommentThank you for sharing.
View CommentMaharaj’s perspective, even though we see the same things, is so different and enlightening.
View CommentVery nice article…..the current education system teaches one to be an absorber rather than on observer…….what a pity……
View CommentRadhanath Swami lists a few of the immense benefits of spiritual practices – like a sharp clearer mind, that is unruffled and has the ability to tackle the onslaught of the modern day and age.
View CommentMaharaj ki jay! Thank you for sharing!
View Commentvery nice article.
View CommentIts very difficult to maintain humility for someone who has so many disciples and followers around the world yet he is so humble which shows how deep his love for God and his devotees is.
View CommentVery nice article…..thanks
View CommentVery nice & Instructive….Thank you for sharing
View CommentVery wonderful article. Thank you very much.
View CommentVery nice indeed.
View CommentThank you Maharaj!
View CommentThank you Maharaj for sharing such wonderful realizations.
View CommentThe sincere desire to find the Ultimate Truth comes across clearly as ‘The Journey Home’ unfolds amazing narrations by Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami was blessed with the ability to question the very fabric of the society he was living in: So true!!
View CommentThank you so much for this amazing article.
View CommentGreat souls like Radhanath Swami come into this world to remind all of us about the imperishable regime of the Supreme Truth. Any attempt in that direction may bring realizations in our lives if we are sincere, serious and without ulterior motives.
View CommentAspire to be an observer than be an absorber.
View CommentLet us all aspire for GOD’ merciful glance which is compared to a diamond and the only object worthy of one’ aspirations.
View CommentRadhanath swami relentlessly talks about developing good qaulities to attract the mercy of the lord to be empowered to serve the lord.
View CommentEverything material is valueles in comparison to the treasure of love of God. H.H Radhanath Swami could face so many difficulties due to his spiritual resolve.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us, how to pray helplessly to the Lord.
View Commentwe are molded in our society in a way that whatever the trend in society we have to accept without much inquiry. And we accept them just to be acceptable to the society for e.g Smoking, drinking stc otherwise we are considered out cast. But Maharaj has shown thru his example that we should not accept things coming in our life blindly without examining the values.
View CommentEverything material pales in front of love of God – powerful from Radhanath Swami.
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
How beautifully stated.If only we were to practice this, we can bring stability to our endeavours on the path of Bhakti.
Hare Krishna
View Comment“Very few like Radhanath Swami are ‘observers’- the ones with the ability to stand apart and examine the direction in which their lives are heading” – I was really touched to read this and hope to become an observer instead of merely an absorber of the modern day negative propaganda.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj not only wards away the negativity of modern life but also teaches and inspires others to do so through his words, example and contagious faith.
View CommentVery appropriate analogy of ship not drowning in the water. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThanks to HH Radhanath Swami’s spiritual wisdom which has saved many many thousands….HIS words touch the heart and bring transformation. Very grateful to the Lord for bringing HIM in our lives.
View CommentHHRNSM is leading by an example himself.
View CommentH.H Radhanath Swami is preaching all humanity to face the problems of this world by remaining in the world but not allowing the problems to affect us or drown our consciousness. All glories to Maharaj
View CommentThank you for sharing this personal experience that Radhanath Swami encountered and his deep realizations.
View Commentit is so much important to be an ‘observer’ rather than an ‘absorber’
thank you for bringing out this nice lesson from the life of Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View CommentVery beautiful post.
View CommentThis observance is required in today’s society also where people are just missing the actual happiness in life.
View CommentThe likes of Radhanath Swami are extremely rare. In today’s society while everybody is being thought how to live for one self, be lean and mean, grab things from competetion etc, he had an opposite consciousness of selflessness. Wanting to understand the essence of everything and not get carried away away with temporary gains.
Extremely wonderfully demonstrated by his own life of selfless service.
View CommentThank you for sharing this from Radhanath Swami’s book.
View CommentBy mercy of seers like Radhanath swami, surely we can elevate from absorber to observer
View CommentH.H Radhnaath Swami is like a ship helping thousands of people to cross over the material world.All glories to Maharaj.
View Comment