Meditations on The Journey Home – Lesson from Chapter 1
God has his own ways of testing His devotees, and also revealing to the world their glories. Richard had the deepest spiritual experience of his life so far at the cathedral in Florence. That night as he played on his harmonica alone in the forest, he was approached by a young, beautiful Swiss girl. Irene was attracted to Richard and he too found her charming. As Richard felt deep affection and attraction for her, he realized that once again he was being tested; a choice of a partner with whom he could continue his spiritual search, or pursue a life of exclusive dedication to God.
“…Once again, I found myself at a confluence. There were two streams that could lead me to enlightenment; one that offered the pleasure of a beautiful companion and the other a path I would take alone, offering my whole energy for the Divine. I walked and walked that night in contemplation and prayer. Could I really give up such a chance at earthly love? Gazing into a sky full of stars, I considered Catholic saints, Tibetan Lamas, and yogis of India, who all chose lives of renunciation in their passion for enlightenment. They forsook life’s pleasures to answer the call of exclusive dedication. I longed to follow in their footsteps. I knew it would be difficult, but with God’s help, I decided to try, at least for now.”
Spiritual experiences don’t come for free- there’s a test and a price to pay for spiritual success. Temptations and obstacles come in the life of a seeker and he has to make a conscious preference for God. However God’s tests and plans are for the ultimate good of His faithful devotee. As Radhanath Swami shares, “God’s plans are inconceivable; when he tests a beginner, it’s for his purification; and when he tests an advanced seeker, it’s for his glorification.” Richard was beginning his search, and he passed the test by opting for no distractions in his quest.
While Radhanath Swami personally preferred to follow the footsteps of catholic saints, and yogis of India, and remain alone in his search for enlightenment, he acknowledges family life as a valid path for spiritual accomplishment. Radhanath Swami holds marriage as a sacred principle and encourages his married students to lead a responsible life, centered on service to God. He mentions that in all religions marriage is held as a sacred institution, where the husband and wife help each other in their spiritual lives, and set an example for the society to lead a God centered life. In the Vedic history, some of the devout and celebrated spiritual seekers have also been grahasthas, married householders. While a renounced life offers the facility for exclusive service to God, householder life too is honored if the goal of marriage is to be united to help each other seek God. It’s a life of responsibility. On the other hand, renunciation is also praiseworthy, for it allows one to serve God and humanity with no distractions. But Radhanath Swami is emphatic that the real renunciation is the giving up of our false egos, and of our false conceptions arising out of egoistic desires. One in the renounced order must live by exemplary standards of humility and service; only then he can be called truly renounced.
One opting to pursue a spiritual life within marriage and a family depends on the examples and counsel of those in the renounced order of life. The renounced class seeks to maintain high integrity of their spiritual consciousness, and this inspires those in family life to maintain pure standards of devotion to God. Radhanath Swami instructs on the basis of Vedic scriptural teachings, “To the degree families honor, respect and adore those who are dedicating everything in the compassionate mission of God, to that very degree they too advance in their spiritual consciousness.”
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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........
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View CommentVery valuable lesson it inspires us to continue with determination on our spiritual path as there are so much of distraction and obstacles on our path. Thanks for such a nice post waiting for some more like this
View CommentValuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.
View CommentThis was a very nice post. The two main topics – the real purport of renunciation and spirituality in married life – have been elucidated very nicely, with nice examples from Radhanath Swami’s book. I have read the book too, and really appreciate the way it has been written. Also, there is this other site I came across recently, which has a compilation of various quotes and activities of Radhanath Swami: http://radhanathswami.org/Radhanath_Swami_Gallery.html
View CommentWould recommend it to all those who liked this post.
This book from which this article is taken is full of such amazing experiences and tests that one faces in his spiritual journey. The book is a must read for anyone who is serious about the spiritual path.
There is also website of Radhanath Swami’s quotes
View Commenthttp://radhanathswami.org/Radhanath_Swami_Gallery.html or http://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lectures-by-hh-radhanath-swami/id211743425
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View Commentreal renunciation is the renunciation of the false ego, the best part of radhanath swami, is that he is following practically what say in his lectures
View CommentRadhanath swami is personification of renunciation from his early childhood days, who disliked to take food in a restaurant while his poor friend is serving. When I read the Journey Home by Radhanath swami for the time, I could feel his adventure full of uncertainties about the place, people and so many other factors.
View CommentO! Having appreciation for those in the renounced order of life & dedicated to God’s service & at the same time having appreciation for those who are Married & living a God-centered, day to day life as every other human…..this is a positive way of looking at things, which Radhanath Swami teaches….Great…Thanks
View CommentWish we could align our lives as per the teachings of the great gurus like Radhanath Swami. Life would be so much fun to live then.
View CommentFrom the experience of Radhanath Swami we learn that we have a choice to make as an individual. There is a price one needs to pay on either of the choices. The best choice would be to give up the temptations of this world and seek real shelter of the Supreme Lord. Jesus Christ said make your treasure in the kingdom of God. Aim of every religion is to teach the mankind to become a human being and as human being take up to the real process of devotion in life and thats the only way one could achieve real happiness else we will keep trying different ways of enjoyment and in the end be left with only frustration in this competing world where people constantly hanker for more material oppulence rather learning to be satisfied with whatever Lord has provided.
View CommentRadhanath Swamis Guru Srila Prabhupada used to often say what can you renounce in this world. Did you bring anything along with you when you were born. No so how can you say this is mine. Everything belongs to God we are simply instruments. If we don;t use the facilities in the service of the Lord then we are simply thieves. Radhanath Swami thats the reason mentions real renunciation is renunciation of false ego which makes one identify with the so called possessions of this world.
View Commentwhen one speaks from heart , it really penetrates heart. Radhanath Swami is really a divine personality . I have learned more about him.
View Commenthttp://www.radhanathswamionline.com
http://www.radhanath.com
True renunciation means serving a bonafide spiritual master like HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Just like he himself served Srila Prabhupada – without any motivation or interruption.
To know more about Maharaj, please visit http://www.radhanathswami.blogspot.com/
View CommentReally inspiring. giving us the insight of real life of a saint seeking spiritual realization.
View Commentcan have more of such which i found on http://radhanathswami.info/
The book is a must read for anyone who is serious about the spiritual path.
View Commentthank you very much
Who in this world can renounce the pleasure of a beautiful young girl for the sake of attaining higher purpose in life? That shows why He is what He is today – a real saint full of love, holding a dazzling torch to help the misguided humanity
View CommentWhile reading Maharaj’s book…….even the reader travels with him in Himalays.
View CommentMaharaj is the best example of renunciation in the path for search of Light(Truth).
View CommentIts a very interesting article. Thanks
View CommentThat is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
View CommentYes, we can only find God by renouncing those activities, behavior and mentality which are not favorable for ourselves, our family, Society,our Nation and this World at large.
View CommentWonderful article. From his book “The Journey Home” we can understand the standard of renunciation that Radhanath Swami displayed in his quest for God. Not many people can dedicate their lives so completely in the service of God as Radhanath Swami has done. He is indeed a great spiritual master. Please do read his book “The Journey Home”. One of the best books of the century.
View CommentWe can see the dedication of Radhanath Maharaj. After facing so many problems, he still was in search of God.
View CommentSweet, that’s exactly what I was looking for!
View Commentaamzing…
View CommentA spiritual experience with Radhanath Swami can change ones life and give it a purpose
View CommentWe can lead a spiritual life being a grahastha by following the principles laid down by our spiritual master. Its very simple if we cannot stay in the temple ,we can make our house temple.
View CommentThis section from Radhanath Swami Maharaja’s book is most touching. It reveals how he resisted the temptations of this world, the temptations that we all face, and carried on with one-pointed focus towards his cherished spiritual goals. Just reading it is thrilling!
View Commentvery touching!
View Commentwe need to understand that we all are gifted with this life and its for some genuine purpose, and that is doing the devotional service, bhakti
View CommentRadhanath maharaj is such a inspiring personality for any one to follow.His life is really a dedication to render indescribable service to the humanity at large starting from comunity development to midday meals project to devotional care of patients through a bhaktivedanta hospital.Not only this inspite all these contribution he is a personification of humility & that is what he stresses for one to be consistent on spiritual life.He is really a matchless gift by lord to all of us.
View Commentmind contemplation is the greatest challenges we face today and through this experience radhanath swami also goes to show that how important it is for one to have a control over his mind and make the rigth decisions, regards, rajesh
View CommentGreat points…I would note that as someone who really doesn’t write on blogs much (in fact, this may be my first post), I don’t think the term “lurker” is very flattering to a non-posting reader. It’s not your fault at all, but perhaps the blogosphere could come up with a better, non-creepy name for the 90% of us that enjoy reading the content .
View Commentvery inspiring article it shows the determation of radhanath swami for spiritual goal
View Commentvery inspirational article, it actually changes ones perception in so many ways, thanks for sharing, bhakti
View CommentIt is very nice training given to Householders seeking spiritual advancement. Radhanath Swami carefully takes care of householders too.
View CommentA clear and wonderful article on the importance of Renunciants in society,defining real renunciation and the relation between the renunciants and householders.
View CommentUnbelievable, that’s exactly what I was hunting for! You just saved me alot of work
View CommentThe determination and renunciation that Radhanath Maharaj displayed inspite of so many obstacles in his path in his quest for God is really remarkable.Everyone should read his book its very inspiring.
View Comment“To the degree families honor, respect and adore those who are dedicating everything in the compassionate mission of God, to that very degree they too advance in their spiritual consciousness.”
View CommentVery inspiring.. Maharaj instructs us how to centre our lives around Krsna
View Commentenjoyed it througout
View CommentThis sharing is an example of Honesty in Radhanath Maharaj’s writings.
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