The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American SwamiThe story of one man’s journey from his youth in suburban Chicago to an adult in spiritual India and a world of mystics, yogis, and gurus. Within this extraordinary memoir, Radhanath Swami weaves a colorful tapestry of adventure, mysticism, and love. Readers follow Richard Slavin from the suburbs of Chicago to the caves of the Himalayas as he transforms from young seeker to renowned spiritual guide. The Journey Home is an intimate account of the steps to self-awareness and also a penetrating glimpse into the heart of mystic traditions and the challenges that all souls must face on the road to inner harmony and a union with the Divine. Through near-death encounters, apprenticeships with advanced yogis, and years of travel along the pilgrim’s path, Radhanath Swami eventually reaches the inner sanctum of India’s mystic culture and finds the love he has been seeking. It is a tale told with rare candor, immersing the reader in a journey that is at once engaging, humorous, and heartwarming. Praise for The Journey Home “Here is an inspiring chapter of “our story” of spiritual pilgrimage to the East. It shows the inner journey of awakening in a fascinating and spellbinding way.” —Ram Dass, author, Be Here Now “He tells his story with remarkable honest—the temptations of the 1970s, his doubts, hopes, and disappointments, the culture shock, and the friendships found and lost . . . Add a zest of danger, suspense, and surprise, and Radhanath Swami’s story is a deep, genuine memoir that reads like a novel.” —Brigitte Sion, assistant professor of Religious Studies, New York University |
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ashram Asim asked beautiful began begging Bhagavad Gita bhakti bhakti yoga blessing body Bon Maharaja called cave chanting cloth crowd deity Delhi devotion disciples everything eyes face feeling feet felt floor forest Gary gazed Ghanashyam God’s Govardhan Hill guru hair hand Hare Krishna harmonica hashish head hear heart Himalayas holy India Janakpur journey knew Krishnadas Babaji live looked Lord mantra meditation mind Monk morning Mother Ganges Mother Theresa mountain Naga Neem Karoli Baba never night offered palms passed path person prayed prayer Radha Radhanath Radhanath Swami Ram Dass Rama revealed Rishikesh river riverbank robes rotis sacred sadhu saints Shiva silence sitting sleep smiled song soul spiritual spoke Srila Prabhupada stared stood Suddenly Swami teachings tears temple thought took traveled tree voice Vrindavan walked wondered wooden words worship Yamuna yoga yogis