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14th out of 69 books
—
61 voters
The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami
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 a penetrating glimpse into the heart...more
Hardcover, 356 pages
Published
January 21st 2010
by Mandala Publishing
(first published 2008)
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The book is about an American from the hippy culture who wanted to break away from convention. He is into Rock and Roll and Acid and everything that epitomized his generation. He left for Europe against the wishes of his parents and during his travels in Europe he got his calling came. He was only 19 years old, he left all of that and left India on foot, traveling across the European and Asian continent to reach India via Pakistan.
He gets into India after much pleading because of the kindness of...more
He gets into India after much pleading because of the kindness of...more
Truly amazing and inspiring story of the spiritual journey of Radanath Swami as he explores many spiritual traditions across Europe, through the Middle East and India to find his heart's calling as a Vaishnava monk.
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A fascinatingnstory of an American young man who was searching for his spiritual path. The book is so well-written and inspiring that you feel blessed while reading it. It was very interesting to read about his meetings with such great people as Mother Theresa, Dalai Lama and others. It doesn't matter what religion you are in (or if you're not religious at all), the adventures and spiritual discoveries of this American Swami will not leave you indifferent. After this book I found a lot of inform...more
My first autobiography read. It was gifted by a spiritual uncle at the time I lost my mother, as an attempt to help settle me...
The book took many weeks to finish because of distractions and preoccupations but I did seek it out despite much mental and physical confusion. It offered a fluid and believable read. Radhanath Swami's journey from a 19 year old American Jew boy to become Srila Prabhupada's follower 2 years later was full of tough travels, conflicting experiences and much exploration. I...more
The book took many weeks to finish because of distractions and preoccupations but I did seek it out despite much mental and physical confusion. It offered a fluid and believable read. Radhanath Swami's journey from a 19 year old American Jew boy to become Srila Prabhupada's follower 2 years later was full of tough travels, conflicting experiences and much exploration. I...more
Dec 18, 2009
Ryan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Indiaphiles, religious people and lovers of a great story
I don't know how widely available this book is (published in 2008 in India by an Indian publisher), but I think it may explode in popularity! The author was a Jewish-American kid from the Chicago area that that was immersed in the hippy counter culture of the time. Then at the age of 19 decided to go on a quest to find spiritual and personal truth. The adventures that follow are NEARLY beyond belief! He flies to Europe with friends, hitchhikes from London hitchhikes through some of Europe's most...more
The book starts off as a simple writing but as the author pens down his experiences while travellimg in search of answers to his spiritual quest, it gets interesting.
Many incidences made my jaw drop. The meetings with various spiritual personalities are interesting, more interesting is the author's learnings from each of it. Author's focus on God is inspiring and so is his meeting his Guru. The account of travel through India is interesting
Many incidences made my jaw drop. The meetings with various spiritual personalities are interesting, more interesting is the author's learnings from each of it. Author's focus on God is inspiring and so is his meeting his Guru. The account of travel through India is interesting
Westerners especially those who have an Indian heritage can relate to the stories of great individuals like Radhanath Swami. He is a living saint, master and it has been my great fortune to have his darshan on two occasions.
This is an excellent book, and there is a wonderful insight into his meeting with Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba, my copy is covered with copius notes, and I have read this from cover to cover twice.
This is an excellent book, and there is a wonderful insight into his meeting with Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba, my copy is covered with copius notes, and I have read this from cover to cover twice.
This is one of the most amazing, adventurous and insightful book that I have read. The author shares the profound lessons that he has learnt from each of his experiences. Even though it is such an extraordinary journey, the humility with which it is presented makes it even more appreciable. The author does not hold back anything while describing negative or undesirable experiences that he goes through. His determination to pursue his goal is quite remarkable. Anyone interested in spirituality, a...more
Anyone seriously or even casually looking for answers in life, this is the book. What should be "MY" role in this vast world, how can "I" help myself and others also, these questions were cleared when i read this book. Really a VERY GOOD one, positively inspiration and practical.
And definitely clears the concepts related to God and His-will, different religions.
And definitely clears the concepts related to God and His-will, different religions.
One of the most interesting and inspiring stories I have ever come across. The entire journey is so well written and you can connect to the entire story with ease.
Most importantly conveys some beautiful messages and the power of Meditation and Ascetics and what not.
Fortunate to read Radhanath Swami's story and his teachings.
Most importantly conveys some beautiful messages and the power of Meditation and Ascetics and what not.
Fortunate to read Radhanath Swami's story and his teachings.
Truly marvelous book. I had been a interested in the book reading since childhood, and have read various books but this book is just a different one. Extreme adventures (and yet true!! these are not the incidences from fictional life but rather a real living person’s story!!), the unshakable determination of Radhanath Swami to undergo anything and everything to reach his goal of life and the style of the writing of author is so simple and humorous that one never finds the book tiring but always...more
Its the journey of an american to his home, (to spiritual home India) to know and meet his guru. in the journey he meet so many yogis and sadhus and devotees. It's a wonderful journey. Its the way how Richard has become Radhanath swami. Must read book.
The most inspirational autobiography I've ever read. I'm grateful a bestfriend gave me this book. Radhanath Swami wrote flawlessly, it didn't feel like reading a true story, more like fiction really..but in a good way.
One of the best book ever!
One of the best book ever!
Amazing story about guy who found harmony in his life in India followed by heart . And start a new life as a monk / swami after that. Book give's you a lot of thoughts about what life is about.
I was totally loving this book but then I got pregnant and stopped reading it when I was about 2/3 of the way finished (with the book, not the pregnancy). The reason is probably because it was pulling me in the direction of a more solitary spiritual journey and motherhood will be the opposite of that--just the wrong energy for the moment. Maybe I'll finish this book when my kid starts kindergarten. :) I still give the book 5 stars and I think it's going to be a great read for any serious student...more
Amazing autobiography of one man's single minded search for his path to self-realization. A young Jewish boy from Chicago takes off for Europe one summer and ends up hitchhiking all the way to India, where he spends more than a year searching for his own path. Very inspiring and just fascinating.
Though I know the Himalayas is full of mysteries, it was nice to know it from the pen of an American. We Indians, from childhood, hear so much about people having super natural powers living peacefully in the high mountain range of Himalayas, beyond the reach of common people. It was like getting one more evidence in favour of all the legends.
Jan 30, 2010
Radhanath
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Radhanath by:
radhanath.purakait@gmail.com
great biography!
when i read it it feels sort of like the 70's show in the begining but really goes in deeper meaning as he grows up
when i read it it feels sort of like the 70's show in the begining but really goes in deeper meaning as he grows up
Book about other life. Radhanath Swami's way is only for person with not general mentality. History is reached the different philosophical thoughts and religious questions by author.
What a adventerous journey Radhanath swami had... and the lessons he derived of it will help generations ahead...
This is an awesome book about a young man's journey around the world and later his transformation into a monk.
You never know what better things are out there waiting for you until you let go of what's in hand and try new stuff..
The best book I ever read! Must read for all sort of seekers.
Finished this book in one night. Amazing story that made me cry.
As the deer pants after the water, so my soul longs after God. The story of a young teenager who decided to leave the comfort of the west and explore the life of wandering in the east to find a teacher. I loved how he overcome all the obstacles along the way and how each one was a key to his evolution as a seeking soul.
Great read. Real page turner. When is the movie coming out?
GREAT INSPIRATIONAL FOR What LIFE TEACH US...
What a fantastic book! This book really changed my perspective on how I view other people's belief systems. I you are a spiritual seeker like me think is a must read.
Amazing life journey of true spiritual seeker!
This book inspires and changes lifes!
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“Man cannot be enlightened through any organization, creed, dogma, priest or ritual, nor through any philosophical knowledge or psychological technique. He has to find it through understanding the contents of his own mind, through observation, not through intellectual analysis or introspective dissection.”
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9 people liked it
“A dog will recognize his master in whatever way he dresses. The master may dress in robes, suit and tie, or stand naked, but the dog will always recognize his master. If we cannot recognize God, our beloved master, when he comes in a different dress from another religion, then we are less than that dog.”
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9 people liked it
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