The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami

Radhanath Swami

Sep 2010 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The 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

Ratings and reviews

It has been years since the last time a book can captivate my soul. Radhanart Swami's journey and experience are simply out of this world, but yet each has helped him to live a life as a Bhakthi Yogi. I sense a connection between his calling and experience with mine. Alhamdulillah, I'm so grateful to be given the opportunity to read his book. InsyaAllah one day I hope to meet in person and have a long conversation with him. To me, this is a must-read book for those in search of a meaningful life.

I relished every page of this book. My favourite read of this entire year. Illustrates so sensitively what it means to have faith, and to remain in touch with one's own sense of humanness.

Unbelievable ! Wow Cannot recommend any other autobiography than this from now on! JUST MIND BLOWING AND HEART TOUCHING is not enough to glorify this glorious book and it's glorious Writter GREAT GREAT GREAT

About the author

Radhanath Swami was born in Chicago in 1950. At age nineteen, he traveled overland from London to India, where he lived in Himalayan caves, learned yoga from revered masters, and eventually became a world-renowned spiritual leader in his own right. He is a New York Times best-selling author, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages and sold in over forty countries worldwide. Radhanath Swami presently travels in Asia, Europe, and America teaching devotional wisdom but can often be found with his community in Mumbai, where he works tirelessly to help develop communities, food distribution initiatives, missionary hospitals, schools, ashrams, emergency relief programs, and eco-friendly farms.