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By Anuradha dasi

What could be better than reading the story of a seeker who gives up everything to travel the world in search of God? Hearing that person tell the story himself. After three years in the making, Mandala Media has finally released the special collector’s edition of the audiobook for The Journey Home, in which Radhanath Swami reads the entire book.

When you listen to this audiobook you feel as if you are in his private room hearing him recount every detail of his often perilous and sometimes humorous—but never dull—journey across the earth. The intimate experience of hearing Radhanath Swami tell his story lasts for nineteen hours and is enhanced with thematic music and tasteful sound effects.

The book itself touched the hearts of people around the globe. Ram Dass, teacher and author of Be Here Now,described it as “fascinating and spellbinding.” Francis Clooney, professor at Harvard Divinity School, described it as an invitation to “a time of grace and wonder.” Sharon Gannon, co-founder of Jiva Mukti Yoga, said the book could “cause a transformation of our whole being.” Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, said that he was, “convinced that the reader will love this book.”

Born as Richard Slavin into a middle class Jewish family in Chicago, Radhanath Swami participated in the civil rights movement during the 1960s and 70s. His experience led him to believe that social transformation begins with personal change, and so he set out on his legendary spiritual quest.

After hitchhiking across Europe and the Middle East, Radhanth Swami arrived in India a penniless mendicant. There he met lepers and Naga Babas, mystic yogis and Buddhist monks. He studied with teachers both famous and obscure. The list of famous teachers includes the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Ananda Mayi Ma, Neem Karoli Baba, Muktananda, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and many more. After near-death experiences, months of meditating in solitude, and years of travel he eventually arrived at the goal of his quest: his spiritual home.

Today Radhanath Swami is one of most beloved and respected spiritual teachers. He is a guide, community builder, activist and a constantly in-demand speaker. He has given his life to spreading a message of love and unity: by cultivating a rich inner life of self-awareness and a genuine practice of service, we can become instruments of compassion and agents of sustainable change in the world.

On November 30th, 2011, Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address at the celebration of the release of the Gujarati translation of The Journey Home. At that time Mr. Modi spoke of India’s rich spiritual heritage as a source of hope for the world. He said that religiously motivated terrorism and global warming were both examples of problems that Hindu spirituality could help solve, by providing the world with an alternative paradigm. With both his teachings and his projects Radhanath Swami works to do just that.

For those who want to learn more of Radhanath Swami’s teachings, another great moment is fast approaching. For years people have been waiting for a follow-up to The Journey Home. It has just been announced that The Journey Within: A contemporary guide to yoga’s ancient wisdom will be released on May 24, 2016.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18723