The Journey Home [Paperback]

Radhanath Swami (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2010

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 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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Mandala Publishing; 1 edition (January 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601090560
• ISBN-13: 978-1601090560
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Self-Help
  • #63 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Mysticism
  • #98 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of a hippie turning into a swami December 12, 2009

By Relentless Seeker

Format:Hardcover

Radhanath Swamy provides an inspiring account of his journey - from being Richard, the confused hippie to Radhanth Swamy, a disciple of Swami Prabhupada. With modern education,it is inevitable that many of the Hindu practices, beliefs and stories seem unreal and sometimes ridiculous. With his western upbringing (and US education), Radhanath Swamy does a very good job of explaining his spiritual experiences in a language that would make sense to rational minds.

The chapters on his overland hitch hiking journey to India (almost as if pulled by an invisible string) are really inspiring. Equally interesting are his experiences on the banks of the river Ganga and in his cave dwellings. The encounters with Naga Sadhus and the other saints / gurus brings up memories of the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama. Accounts of unconventional approaches for extending his visa multiple times with Indian immigration authorities are outright funny.

The autobiography seems to end a bit abruptly - would have been great to get some more insights into the years with Swami Prabhupada as the 'official' guru.

I bought this book during a chance visit to the ISKCON temple at Moundsville, West Virginia (New Vrindavan). Many thanks to the couple who sold this book to me and for providing me a peek into their experiences with Radhanath Swamy.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, Compassion, Adventure, Thrills, Devotion... July 26, 2010

By Leena

Format:Paperback

Love, Compassion, Adventure, Thrills, Devotion...All these are the experiences within the journey of this American Swami's search of God. If we really think about our self, we too have experienced the same emotions in our life at certain point of our lives but this beautiful journey compiled in this book will make the reader live through these experiences yet again. Once you start reading, try to stop reading and you wouldn't be able to...

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspriring read October 5, 2010

By Bert V

Format:Paperback

A friend introduced this book to me. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm thankful to have the opportunity to read it. It chronicles the author's journey through continiuous trials and tribulations to achieve spirtual knowledge and understanding though various mentors, yogis, and gurus. Despite the unsurmountable odds, his conviction to reach his goal and willingness to take risks lead him to some amazing events and the opportunity to meet some remarkable people along the way. From many of the lessons that he learned, we can relate these to our own lives and it helps to bring clarity in the direction our lives take. I can appreciate how he studied numerous religions along the way and brings insight to the reader by bridging the commonalities between each of them, thus signifying a focus on universal truths. This is a great read and it definitely has something in it for everyone!