Ramesh Rao on Radhanath Swami's Journey Home

Ramesh Rao on Radhanath Swami’s Journey Home

January20

“There is no way one can sum up or highlight the incidents and those events of Radhanath Swami’s life, and the only way one can feel the power of his telling is by reading the book.”

I have written about Patrick Levy and about Narvada Puri, and in that sequence of Western seekers from the 1960s, is Richard Slavin, now known as Radhanath Swami, who has written his own wonderful tale of early travails and eventual fulfillment in a beautiful book titled, The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami. The book has attracted more attention than either Patrick Levy’s book or Narvada Puri’s, including a lame review by the Harvard professor of religion, Francis Clooney, but that attention and limp reviews notwithstanding, this is a story of a beautiful journey that should be read by those who still see India as a spiritual beacon, for it will confirm that the journey to and through that spiritual home is mysterious, powerful, sometimes frustrating, and finally liberating.

It is not a book, however, for those who simply seek to travel to India to photograph exotic people and places, nor is it for those who think the spiritual journey will be without hazards or hardships.

Richie, as Richard was called by friends and family, also began with a hunger deep inside. He was 19 when he decided, with a friend, to leave the comfort of his suburban Chicago home and go “trekking” overland from Europe, via Israel, Turkey, and Afghanistan to end up in India. He finds, early in Chicago, that one of his best friends’ parents “hated him” because he was a Jew! Little Richie was “sweet, but so strange,” people observed, seeing that he liked sitting on the floor and eating (like Indians) rather than sitting at a table and eating. He even stood and ate at restaurants, a compromise his parents made with him! He wore clothes and shoes only that looked old and worn, and when he was 16 and a close friend died in an accident he began to look more desperately for spiritual sanctuary.

Attending Miami Dade College with friend Gary Liss, who would become a very powerful presence and influence in his life, Richie one day comes across a poster advertising Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s transcendental mediation class, and that then leads him to meditation, and combined with his love of music, Richie was on the road to becoming Radhanath Swami. It would take a few thousand miles and a few years to get there, and this book recounts that fascinating journey. The incidents and events as Richie and Gary trek through the world, and as Richie and Gary part ways in Israel, are so strange, astounding, singular that they have all the hallmarks of a “true life thriller”—just waiting to be made into a gorgeous Hollywood movie some day: not just a superficial “eat, pray, love” but a story of a life of substance, challenge, and fulfillment.

Indeed there are aspects of food, and of prayer, and even of tantalizing love in this journey that will make readers wonder how a young man, actually just a teenager, has the nerve, the courage, the conviction to carry on his journey toward the spiritual goal that beckons him. He meets a lovely Swiss girl, Irene, in Florence, Italy who tells Richie “I have been praying for a companion,” and begs him to “. . . take me with you wherever you go.” That powerful temptation Richie rejects as a night of deep reflection tells him that he has got miles to walk on his spiritual journey. And sitting in Greece both Gary and Richie (now called “Monk” by his friends and by Gary) hear voices: one telling Gary that he should go to Israel, and another telling Monk to go to India. As they part ways, Monk decides to give up the nickname Monk and revert to his real name, Richard.

The on-land journey to India is so full of hazards that indeed they seem tailor-made for a Hollywood thriller. But to India he is headed, and Richard is determined, and he makes it—accidents, chases, prisons, and bad guys notwithstanding. The story about his quest for a guru in India, and of his meetings with the well-known gurus and humble villagers, of his battles with dysentery and snakes in the dark, of esoteric experiences and miraculous saves all make Richard’s journey into becoming Radhanath Swami a “stunning story,” as the great yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar describes it. There is no way one can sum up or highlight the incidents and those events, and the only way one can feel the power of his telling is by reading the book. Radhanath Swami returns to the U.S. but feels a great debt to India, and returns in 1986 to make it his permanent home. Settling down in Bombay, now Mumbai, Radhanath Swami has established several temples, schools, hospitals, and ashrams in Mumbai and elsewhere in India, and travels to the U.S. to enthrall and encourage those seekers now wanting to find a guru and quell their spiritual tumult. Just like Narvada Puri’s mother and sisters and other family members traveled to India from Germany to visit the “truant seeker” so does Radhanath Swami’s parents travel to visit him in India in 1989, and when his mother dies in 2004, his father and brothers request that he carry his mother’s ashes to India to be sprinkled in the sacred Ganga.

Radhanath Swami’s life journey is inspiring, and there will be some whose life will be transformed as they read his book. May their life journey be fulfilling!

- Ramesh Rao
(Professor of Communication Studies at Longwood University in Farmville, VA, is the author of two books on Indian politics and society and has written numerous op-eds for newspapers and magazines in India, the U.S., and the U.K. He also serves as the human rights coordinator for the Hindu American Foundation)

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52 Comments to

“Ramesh Rao on Radhanath Swami’s Journey Home”

On January 21st, 2012 at 11:32 am Kalpana Kulkarni Says:
Thank you Mr. Ramesh for the wonderful comment on Radhnath Swami’s book. There is no doubt that the life/perspective of anyone who reads this book will definitely change. One of the best books of the century!!
On January 21st, 2012 at 1:10 pm Sumit Sharma Says:
Wonderful comment on Radhanath Swami’s great book. He has touched so many great souls through his book.
On January 22nd, 2012 at 2:32 am Tallam Sita Ramaiah Says:
Well said. It is book that can be useful only by reading. Any comments are just insufficient.
On January 22nd, 2012 at 3:57 am vrushali Says:
This book is no less than a nail biting thriller, will leave the reader enthralled, awed, and amazed. Thank you for a great review!
On January 22nd, 2012 at 2:53 pm Sumit Sharma Says:
Great comment on Radhanath Swami’s book which is a real guide in the life of anyone who wants to know about the Absolute Truth.
On January 23rd, 2012 at 3:17 am Pranjal Dixit Says:
Nice appreciation.
On January 23rd, 2012 at 1:34 pm Pankaj Says:
An honest review!
On January 23rd, 2012 at 1:45 pm Rajaruban Says:
Comprehensive review.
On January 24th, 2012 at 10:06 am Jagannath Dham Das Says:
Thank you very much Mr.Ramesh Rao jie for sharing such precise review of Radhanath Swami’s autobiography. Hope one day a hollywood film be made on this book…

Thanks !
Hare Krishna!
On January 24th, 2012 at 12:06 pm Rajendra Prasad Says:
As pointed out by Mr Rao, the book is must read for everyone.
On January 24th, 2012 at 3:04 pm Vidya Patham Says:
Thank you for sharing this great review with us.
On January 24th, 2012 at 4:35 pm Chandrika Says:
This book is really worth reading to understand the inner mystery.
On January 26th, 2012 at 5:52 pm anjan Says:
Wonderfully commented. Many thanks to Swamiji for sharing this with the world.
On January 27th, 2012 at 5:45 am vrushali Says:
Great review.Thank you!
On January 29th, 2012 at 9:23 pm VP Singam Says:
Fantastic book.
On January 30th, 2012 at 4:21 pm vsk Says:
Radhanath Swami’s life journey is inspiring, and there will be some whose life will be transformed as they read his book. May their life journey be fulfilling!-yes, indeed!
On January 30th, 2012 at 11:24 pm surekha Says:
Thank you for your wonderful contribution in sharing your realizations about the Journey Home book by Radhanath Swami.
On January 31st, 2012 at 7:19 am Ankit patel Says:
Indeed Amazing Book.
On January 31st, 2012 at 12:15 pm umesh Says:
great review by Ramesh Rao.
On February 1st, 2012 at 7:07 am suresh Says:
Any one who read this book is really a fortunate person.
On February 1st, 2012 at 10:27 am Deepak Says:
It’s truly amazing book
On February 2nd, 2012 at 2:32 am surekha Says:
Thank you for your review towards the Journey Home book.
On February 7th, 2012 at 10:50 am Anu Singh Says:
Can’t wait till i get my hands on this book… any idea where i can get this and other books by Radhanath Swami?
On February 7th, 2012 at 2:34 pm Pankaj Says:
AN HONEST COMMENT!
On February 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm Tallam Sita Ramaiah Says:
This is an unbiased comment on this book. This is a great book to read for all to develop determination in spiritual life.
On February 12th, 2012 at 4:54 pm suresh Says:
thank you sir for your review, this book is really the one that should be read by each and everyone for sure…,
On February 12th, 2012 at 10:41 pm anand Says:
the only way one can realize what the author experiences is by doing what the author did at the end…to dedicate one’s life to God
On February 13th, 2012 at 1:56 pm Anand Says:
Dear Radhanath Swami maharaj ki Jai …….haribol. He is such a humble & wonderful personality. His journey seeking the absolute truth attracts everyone’s heart.
On February 15th, 2012 at 1:58 pm Tallam Sita Ramaiah Says:
The jouney of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is an eye opener for those who feel that there are several obstacles in spiritual path. His faith and determination have taken him to this position. Maharaj ki jai.
On February 20th, 2012 at 8:51 am Anand Says:
I agree with comment of Mr Ramesh that this thrilling real life story of Radhanath Swami Maharaj is worth much more than being made in a hollywood movie. Thank you for your comments.
On February 27th, 2012 at 12:09 am Citra Gopi DD Says:
Fantastic review.
On February 27th, 2012 at 9:31 am Rajendra Prasad Says:
Book is really full of adventure and must read for everyone who aspire for spiritual progress.
On March 1st, 2012 at 1:21 am Achyuta Govinda Says:
These comments are very true about the Journey Home book by Radhanath swami.
On March 19th, 2012 at 11:45 am Aakansha Says:
So true. Feel like going through this book again and again.
On March 28th, 2012 at 5:26 pm nandkishordas Says:
even though very difficult you have summed it all-There is no way one can sum up or highlight the incidents and those events of Radhanath Swami’s life, and the only way one can feel the power of his telling is by reading the book.
On April 5th, 2012 at 7:06 am ASH Says:
Journey home is a thrilling story. Only way to experience is, to read it.
On April 10th, 2012 at 12:22 am Manasa Says:
Really True!!!Once we start the book we cannot put it aside until it ends up.
On April 11th, 2012 at 8:25 am Saurabh Says:
Very true no way we can understand the gravity with which Radhanath Swami had faced the events in his life we can only get a glimpse by reading his book
On April 16th, 2012 at 5:15 am Riya Says:
It is indeed a wonderful book.
On April 17th, 2012 at 4:50 am Tyagi Says:
Journey Home book by Radhanath Swami Maharaj is very inspiring and truly spiritual adventure. Thank you for sharing your realization.
On April 17th, 2012 at 2:07 pm Arjun K Ramachandra Says:
Well said Dr Ramesh Rao! This book is certainly not for one who expects spiritual life to be an easy going one without hardships and difficulties.
On April 19th, 2012 at 8:19 am Jagdish Says:
Very nice review – The Journey Home is infact the life transforming book.
On April 21st, 2012 at 2:11 am anjan Says:
Thanks for posting such nice comments
On April 26th, 2012 at 1:04 pm rachna chhetri Says:
Beautiful review..This is the book for all.
On April 26th, 2012 at 2:13 pm Pranjal dixit Says:
Wonderful review. Thank you very much.
On April 29th, 2012 at 10:30 am shailesh Says:
Thank you for sharing such beautiful words . Hare Krsna !
On May 2nd, 2012 at 8:27 am suresh Says:
Nice review. Only by reading this book one can understand the glory of this book.
On May 4th, 2012 at 11:43 am umesh Says:
yes very true we can only experience this powerful book after reading.
On May 8th, 2012 at 5:18 am Tyagi Says:
Radhanath Swami’ Maharaj’s life journey is really inspiring. Thank you for your sincere review towards the Journey Home book. This book has inspired many people in the world.
On June 2nd, 2012 at 3:42 am Milind M Churi Says:
Very honest review.In this review Mr.Ramesh has covered all the experiences that Maharaj had during his on-land journey to india to get perfect teacher.I enjoyed reading review.
On June 21st, 2012 at 4:44 am Arabinda Says:
Great book indeed!
On June 27th, 2012 at 7:28 pm surekha Says:
These are excellent comments about the Journey Home book by Radhanath swami and these comments inspires others to read the book and get the benefit.