I have spent the last 48 hours immersed in one man’s story; his telling of the journey to find, not himself, but a larger meaning. It began as a book review assignment with looming deadline and other projects on my mind. But once I began to read, without further thought, I set aside other work, neglected pressing deadlines, and stopped the time and habits of my usual schedule.
Reading this book has become a personal experience for me. In it, I did not find escape, but discovery. And I have no doubt that this is what you will find as well. During this holiday season, there will be many book recommendations for gift giving. This book would be my personal recommendation. Or buy it for yourself. And after the holiday hurry has passed, sit down in a quiet place, and begin reading.
Let Radhanath Swami's story immerse you in his adventures, certainly, and let what he's learned along the way, and shared in this book give you pause for thought about your own journey - a great read, especially, as we begin a new year.
Radhanath Swami’s, "The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami" is written by Chicago native, formerly known as Richard Slavin, a man who has become one of India's great spiritual leaders. This is his story. He shares adventures; travel tales of danger and poverty and traveling across borders, of meeting interesting people and seeing beautiful landscapes- both sometimes barren and beyond description.
What begins as a story of a young man in search of himself; a hippie playing the harmonica, traveling the world, relying much like Tennessee Williams, on the ‘kindess of strangers’, evolves into a spiritual path leading him ever deeper in thought and spirit to who he is today.
He was perceptive enough, to learn lessons that others of us would not even recognize- the night spent with a mongoose asleep on his head taught him a lesson in patience. The border guard who made him strip, shaved his head and confiscated all of his meager possessions reminded him of the importance of letting go; small occurrences in adventuring that led to careful reflection.
Maybe it began as a young man in search of himself but there was a depth unrealized there and an untapped passion that led him to learn more from his experiences, and to make more of them. Inside this young adventurer was the seeker. Through a life changing journey hitchhiking throughout Europe and the Middle East, Richard Slavin has become one of India’s great spiritual leaders, Radhanth Swami. He is always becoming.
This is not your average 'coming of age' story, of 'finding yourself'. But it is about the search. This is not a religious story, about finding 'enlightenment', but it is this too, although Radhanath Swami admits to no end state of enlightenment.
"In my path there were moments that were very transformative; that led me deeper and deeper, but as far as enlightenment, it’s not so cheap. Enlightenment is a beautiful gift of God according to our sincerity. It’s the most valuable and precious thing in all of existence. Your life is an organic life experience, Enlightenment- it’s actually always there, it’s just a question.
We are enlightened beings. This body is always changing, and the mind changes a lot, but the soul; this living force within us is our true self and that conscious living force is eternal. It’s full of knowledge and enlightened happiness, we just have to recognize it, we have to focus on that, and find the treasure of the wealth and joy there. And share it with the world through whatever we do."
Traveling with friends, traveling alone, Richard's telling of his adventures keep you reading. His thoughtful reflection of lessons learned along the way makes you wonder. This is escape and coming back to a deeper place. From the beginning, the author admits that his desire was to find some meaning. Too many of us are not that open to admit being lost inside despite a map in our hand of destination.
Too many are distracted along the way, choose to go home when the money runs out, choose to give in to our desires, to capitalize on what we’ve learned, to shut ourselves off in safety. What I especially liked about this story is the daring- sometimes foolish, sometimes dangerous, but always with faith, the following of that inner voice, and the learning to hear it; the surrendering of self to a greater purpose while still seeking that purpose and not really knowing much of anything at all.
This is the story of Chicagoan, Richard Slavin who traveled the world and found his place in it, and who is making such a great good difference as Radhanath Swami.
Not so much a book review, this is my thank you for a thoughtful 48 hours that removed me from a world in which I am too much immersed, and reminded me of how meaningful each of us can make the path we tread, whatever that path. Experience this book.
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