Book Review : The Journey Home
A westerner’s spiritual quest in the East.
This week I read ‘The Journey Home : Autobiography of an American Swami’ by Radhanath Swami. This book was presented to me along with my RYT200 certificate and was an interesting read.
The book opens with author’s surreal and bone-chilling experience in Pashupatinath temple in Nepal, then travels back in time to his childhood in Illinois where his journey started. Born as Richard, to hardworking and loving Jewish parents, he was always inclined towards knowing God a little more and disillusioned with the pleasures of material life. Description of his childhood and teenage gives reader a glimpse of America in 50s and 60s where racial discrimination and social rebellion of hippies were equally prevalent. Author himself was a strong supporter of civil rights and gravitated towards the revolutionary ideals of hippie culture as a teenager.
In his quest for deeper spiritual experiences, he decides to travel to Europe with his friends at the age of 19 much to the displeasure of his parents. There he faces several ordeals from day one mainly owing to the shortage of funds and general population’s prejudice against hippies. What seemed a backpacking trip of few days stretches over months as his quest takes him to France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece. He barely manages his survival by hitchhiking, sleeping in churches or open concert grounds and donating blood. In his European travels, he meets many rock stars and idols of his generations, kindred spirits and has many spiritual experiences. His friendship with a childhood friend Gary is also highlighted, who is his constant companion in all his adventures in US and Europe till Author’s inner voice directs him to travel to India.
Intercontinental travel was not as simple in those times and greater terrors and illnesses follows Author as he traveled through Turkey, Iran Afghanistan, Pakistan for 3 months, barely making to India. From here starts his actual introduction to spiritual ways of the east. He meets a lot of yogis, swamis, siddha-purushas, seekers, sadhus on his journey to the Himalayan towns and holy cities. He witnesses a lot of miracles and transforming experiences. His path is full of thorns but maintaining his trust in God and guided by his inner light, he ultimately finds his Guru, his answers and his Home.
As a reader, at several instances while reading this book, I could not help but draw parallels to ‘Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda’ and ‘Alchemist by Paulo Coelho’ but this was still an engrossing read. It is interesting to see how the dots in Author’s life connect to form a wonderful sketch. His experiences are a testimonial to what we theoretically know about spirituality and devotion. If you wish to know more about God and his mysterious ways, do take this journey, it won’t disappoint.
Disclaimer : The content or images in this book is not owned by me. I am just presenting a brief summary and analysis of what I read for the benefit of someone looking to pick up a new book to read.
