The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami

by Radhanath Swami

All beautiful forms of this world are in the process of transformation. Nothing is stable. With every moment, our reality is changing. Mother Ganges, like nature, is constant, but no manifestation of hers remains.

“True spiritual life is to know that you are beyond the body, mind, and ego and realize the soul within and to realize God and be godly. This alone will bring peace.”

Prabhupada has often said that with India’s philosophy and America’s wealth, the world can really prosper. He calls us Western devotees his ‘dancing white elephants’!”

How foolish it was of me to look down on them, feeling that I was better because of my ascetic lifestyle. I now understand that detachment is only sacred to the degree it fosters humility, respect, and love.

“Swami,” Gary said, “our lives are totally opposite. What do we have in common? I’m a physical trainer and convince people that they’ll be happy with a healthy, handsome body. But you’re a swami and convince them that they’ll be happy if they realize that they’re not the body at all, but an eternal soul.”