The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti

by Radhanath Swami

In this long-awaited follow up to The Journey Home, renowned spiritual leader Radhanath Swami shares intimate stories from his forty years as a teacher of devotional (bhakti) yoga. His heartfelt down-to-earth writing makes accessible topics that have remained esoteric for generations: explanations of the material and spiritual selves, three levels of God-realization, the feminine nature of divinity, the way of righteousness (dharma), what happens at death, and formulas for spiritual health. In brief sidebars, he spells out how to adapt chanting as a daily practice, how to recognize an authentic guru, which rituals to attempt, methods for achieving balance in relationships, and ways to transform a home or apartment into a place of pilgrimage. Radhanath Swami may be the Dr. Oz of yoga, prescribing through anecdote and wise commentary simple principles for balancing our material and spiritual lives.

Destined to become a classic of self-discovery, The Journey Within escorts readers from remote villages of South India to the halls of power in Europe and America. The author’s palette of storytelling includes tales of the famous and infamous, moguls of industry, lepers, newborn babies, the redwoods of California, and jellyfish in Italy. In simple, approachable language, he demystifies India’s ancient path of devotion and reveals how heaven is within the grasp of every man, woman, and child. What is love? Who is God? How can we live in the world without becoming entangled? Radhanath Swami addresses these and other seminal questions with vivid portraits of people confronting life-threatening tragedies with life-affirming tools of devotion, people who discover how to solve impossible dilemmas with the simplest of resources and who uncover miracles in the ordinary course of a day

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help, Philosophy, Personal Growth, Personal Development

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2016

Reviews

[Dharmendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read Book for All...

[Pushpak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we tap the most Sublime Universal Energy within us....

Yes we can..... we should rather not shy.. The universe is not a boring place, and in the "Post-Modern Era" of "Soul's Cyber Emancipation", somewhere the "Soul's Convolution with Information" has resulted in decadence of 'Wisdom'- a term now so ebbed in this Era.

Can we revive it?

Yes, and how!!... This book works like a charm. No efforts needed. Full of realizations, this book is a "Sublime Spectacle" for the ones who nourish something deep and profound out of every aspect of this "Tiny Universe"!

Why is it so special?

It "Softens our Soul" and makes our "Heart Glide" into the most under tapped expression within us-"LOVE"; in a way that we never really exhilarated before!

[Sundeep Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - inspirational to heart and soul

[Abhay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read Radhanath Swami's first book 'The Journey Home' last year. It was full of adventure and spiritual inspiration.
His second book 'The Journey Within ' feels like a natural sequel to it. He has used his personal experiences to teach the ancient wisdom of Bhakti Yoga. It seems like a very practical process that can help me find greater happiness and peace.

[Dipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page I am reading it is enlivening me with the depth & maturity of understanding about spirituality which is very different from dogmatic way of thinking about religion in today's world.

[Jennifer Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book from the Hare Krishna Temple in Culver City, CA. I could not wait to read it. I am now re-reading it again. It is not a book that can easily be put down. So many lessons contained within. It is as the name states; a very down-to-earth approachable guide to living on the bhakti path. For me, the teaching within are so important to my path and spiritual practice, staying grounded. The interpretations and extractions from the Bhagavad Gita are easy to understand and Radhanath Swami shares many beautiful stories of people in today's society and the examples are very powerful.

I highly recommend this book for anyone beginning on the bhakti path or anyone who has felt they have lost their connection to their source or their 'god' or faith.

[Sagar Wadekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have read 'the journey home' and from what i have heard and read about this book, this is a sequel. i am really existed to read this book. i am fan of Radhanath Swami. i would highly recommend everyone to read this book.

[Senthilkumar Rajagopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in #1 best seller in New York Times and really excited to read it. I have ordered 2 books for me and my parents too.

[Akshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant wait for this sequel after reading Journey Home! If the events before reaching Home were so exciting cant wait to read what happens after!!

[Onkar Deshpande · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am longing to read The Journey Within by Radhanath Swami !

[Rama Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning the path of bhakti yoga from Radhanath Swami

“The Journey within” is a call to adventure; it asks you travel beyond all adversities to find the true love for the immutable and immortal lord through the path of bhakti and devotion. Radhanath Swami instructs the reader to pursue the heart’s deepest calling to discover the beauty of true self and appreciate life’s miracles at every moment of this mortal life. The swami quotes Bhagavadgita and Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) quite extensively to illustrate the devotion and love for the lord. His points are always focused, thoughtful, consoling and satisfying to the reader.

Radhanath Swami’s spiritual journey began at a young age; he was spiritually drawn into the writings and teachings of spiritual masters of India. He made a difficult decision to travel to India when he was a young college student, and spent years at many holy places. Meditating, experiencing and spiritual learning were the order of the day. He had the blessings and encouraging words of many saints, sadhus and holy men in India. He found the message of the ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada most compelling and very appealing. Since then, the swami has never looked back and made his life a mission to spread the wisdom of the Supreme Lord using the teachings of Bhagavadgita, Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) and the Dvaita-Vedanta. He discusses his life experiences as a practitioner of bhakti yoga, and opens the mind and heart of the readers to the Immortal, the Immutable, the Omniscient, the Omnipotent, the Omnipresent, the Unfathomable and Immeasurable Supreme Being. Swamiji reveals that love, prema, bhakti and total dedication to serving the lord will help reveal the inner soul after removing the veil of the carnal mind. His vision of bhakti yoga incubates, grows, and takes the reader into great heights. His teachings show that the soul is always free and perfect, but human beings are lost in the wilderness of physical reality. The world has enough distractions to keep us all under its bondage. Thus the wheel of suffering continues to move, with us being its fuel. But we have to escape this cycle of spiritual blindness and suffering in order to realize the perfection of our soul in the Spirit.

While visiting a multibillionaire’s home, swami counsels his host about achieving peace and happiness in his life, despite the fact that he was a billionaire. The swami tells the story of the banana-seller named Sridhar, whose simple life-expectation stuns even Lord Caitanya. The gist of the story is that you can find happiness in life despite the fact that you are living with very basic necessities.

In the chapter on “What is bhakti, the path of love?” Swamiji describes the tragic death of Mother Hladini Devi who sacrificed her own life during the tumultuous period in the West African nation of Liberia. She was serving the lord touching the hearts of Africans with love. When the assassins entered their dwelling, she chose to protect the devotees of Krishna. Her last words while speaking to death squads were, “How dare you kill the devotees of Krishna? Better you kill me than kill them!” Hladini was the first to be shot. She lay down her physical existence to protect others. That was the best satisfaction she had at the last few minutes of her mortal life. She embraced her ideals and lived a life of compassion. She felt intimately connected. Everyone who knew her was sad and perhaps angry with the injustice done, but Mother Hladini was at peace and remained closest to the Supreme Lord.

In the chapter on “Tarabai’s gift,” a group of villagers take eight hour bus trip to swamiji’s ashram in Mumbai, to present him with a gift; which makes swami feel humble for their sincerity and devotion. The swami observes that for those who serve the lord will have that sincerity to another person. In another chapter, “What is true wealth” he meets an old lady named Dorothy at a Florida airport and consoles her when she has lost her family and asks her find true love in life and she will come to peace with life. Swami’s words are beautifully expressed in this chapter.

In the chapter, “Dharma of Bhakti,’ one of the longest in the book, the Maharaj describes the five components of bhakti yoga practice; the living in scared space; developing spiritual relationships and forming a spiritual community; chanting the holy names of the Supreme Lord; listening and reading the sacred scriptures; and worshipping the lord with pure bhakti, veneration, and faith in the wisdom of the lord.

The subject matter is broadly discussed to generate universal interest in bhakti, prema, dharma, faith, and the awareness of Supreme consciousness without mentioning the name of Lord Krishna. He quotes from Bhagavadgita throughout the book, stressing the path of bhakti is critical in finding inner happiness and to be at peace with the Supreme Reality.

[SriGopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got the book...it is amazing...can't wait to meet the author personally in Michigan....5 star rating...

[Arunava Mukerji · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book describes Eternal Religion of man (Sanatan Dharma) which is beyond space and time and elevates the reader to eternal and blissful life giving an ' Out of the World ' Experience within.

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must add to your collection. This is a beautiful limited edition hard bound copy.
This is a very interesting read for peace lovers and truth seekers.
I loved many stories of people all over the world and their journey. Especially incident with Indian environmental activist. She wanted solution for Saving Earth. The author suggests - something really wonderful. Bring sustainable change - through rewarding, recognizing and replicating positive behavior.

[Kushagra Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute gem of a book! Radhanath Maharaj's realizations are deely profound, impactful and heart touching. This book can have a transformative effect on the reader for the one serious about having a spiritual development in life. It will certainly be one of the most special books I've read in life. It made me smile, cry and ruminate about life. It made me look beyond religious identities and realign myself with all attractive Supreme being Shri Krishna. :)

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the kind of book I'd normally pick up, but I was gifted a copy. Mostly I liked it and felt the message(s) to be good, though I find his insistence on an anthropomorphic supreme being as a non-negotiable tenet of faith...odd.

[Chaitaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone looking for guidance on inner journey to Self realization

[Subimal Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far finding amazingly engaging, knowledgful and can connect with my life

[Ankita Om · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hardly write reviews. But this book is life changing. Anyone who is following bhakti yoga this book is a must read. Swamiji in his book narrate many beautiful stories from sacred books along with real life stories of devotees he have met in his life. He guides us how to strengthen our devotion with daily sincere practice and with virtues like humility and gratitude.
I found a beautiful prayer in this book attributed to St Francis of Assisi:
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred,let me show love.
Where there is injury,pardon.
Where there is doubt,faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness,joy.
Divine Master,grant me that I may not so much meek
to be consoled, as to console,
to be understood,as to understand,
to be loved,as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life ."

Must read it's a beautiful book.

[Lisa Marques Jagemark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inte en bok att läsa igenom snabbt, utan en att återkomma till gång på gång. En fantastisk introduktion (och lite fördjupning!) inom bhakti yoga, och mycket inspiration om medkänsla, ödmjukhet och andlighet även för de som tillhör andra yogaskolor.

[Aatmaj Deshpande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book.This book teaches and tells us things as other normal books,but I liked the way it is written.It is written very well.that makes the overall difference.i like it.

[Joanne Lebrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Got me thinking s and actually discussing the divine with anyone who will discuss with me. It’s one of those topics we’re not supposed to discuss - you know… politics, religion, money. But this isn’t religion. It’s different and that’s the point actually.

[Sujatha Guruvayurappan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book talks more about Bakthi Yoga/Bagavad Geetha than the soul/self. Excellent (spiritual) read. Not sure whether I liked the book a lot because of Krishna or I started liking Krishna more because of the book. In a nutshell, the book says
Practice Bakthi Yoga
1. Chant God’s Holy Names.
2. Be with spiritual minded people.
3. Hear about God from Sacred Literature, and
4. from a Spiritual Teacher.
5. Worship the God however you know him with faith...
If you do, your bad/negative qualities will fade/disappear and you will start seeing Divine in everything, and ultimately you will realize your Self/soul .

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Journey Within is an excellent book. Radhanath does a fantastic job of making bhakti accessible to readers. I fumbled with this a great deal, despite reading the rasa lilas, and Bhakti Yoga: Tales and Teachings from the Bhagavata Purana, or the beautifully prosaic works of Schweig's treatment of the lilas in Dance of Divine Love: India's Classic Sacred Love Story: The Rasa Lila of Krishna. I read some of Bhaktivedanta Swami's (Prabhupada) teachings but the simplicity of concepts evaded me still. Radhanath managed to clarify the concepts themselves, but they also resonated in a way that strummed at the connective tissue across the bhakti scriptures, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, the Upanishads, the Narada Sutras, and even the Shivastrovali of Utpaladeva (more Shaivite leaning than Vishnaivite). I cannot think of a more indispensable guide for someone trying to understand Hinduism (specifically as it connects to Krishnaji).

I am Hindu, though compared to those who were born into the faith, I'm probably fairly terrible at it which is okay. When I first started reading Hindu scriptures I clumsily ambled through understanding what devotion felt best and enlivening to me, trying Ekadashi fasting as an ascetic spiritual focus each month (twice a month to be exact), making sure I had a mala at both of my core workspaces to lean into the beauty of paramatman if I was disconnected from it (including wearing one everywhere so that if I felt so inclined, I could sink into that space within, while being reminded of what I was committing to by following a Hindu path); I also attended a Mandir, tending to daily mantras, as well as reading relevant scriptures. Regularly, between the Upanishads and other texts I would be brought to tears for the beauty Hinduism brought to life for me. Yet Bhakti texts were still difficult to understand conceptually. I realize after reading The Journey Within that it's because bhakti isn't best understood, but felt because it is the interstices of devotional practices and a kind of dark matter of the everyday that holds the universe together but remains something of a conceptual mystery to even the most learned student of physics.

Bhakti concepts in Radanath's book are clear in a way that I wish I had read more closely when I was immersing myself in devotional practices. They clear a great deal of potential confusion. I also found many people referred to, and revered Prabhupada's texts and translations but I was never quite able to understand the concept of the Supreme Godhead that he talks about at the start of his texts, and throughout. Having felt a hollowness in my experiences of Evangelical Christianity, I was remiss to dive into texts that could repeat the cult-like fervor I found vacuous and devoid of love about the religion I was born into. After reading through Part 1 of Radanath's book I better understand the concept of the Supreme, as well as the paramatman and how daily mantras can connect me to this very core essence of the everything brahman encompasses. It feels safer in that I worry less about screwing that up somehow if I don't do a thing perfectly, or auspiciously enough. Radhanath makes Prabhupada's works far more accessible, which made the book helpful beyond its contents.

Bhakti is a yoga of love and devotion, and The Journey Within is both an introduction and guide to a Hindu spiritual path with bhakti at the centre. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is skimming the surface of Hinduism for pithy sutras to integrate (though really, everyone's path is their own alone). It may be frustrating to those browsing because it contains the making of a Hindu way of being, rather than a secular, more "new age" leaning spirituality. After reading more in-depth about Hinduism I saw how much New Age practices drew from it superficially, skimming the surface, without citationality and how New Age teachers would sell what Hinduism was offering for free: peace, fulfillment, meaningful practice, and in a sense for me at least, insight into Truth.

A Hindu way of life is alluded to throughout the book which makes it useful not just for cerebral ends, but in practical application too. For example, one truly lives the principles of ahimsa (nonviolence) through vegetarianism, kind words, avoiding violence as entertainment, and more, it goes beyond the basics of a singular sutra from Patanjali taken in during a difficult day after an asana class in a hot room. It is in other words, a bit longer lasting. Furthermore, the concept of asteya is non-stealing, but I found it powerful to consider when thinking about the ways we don't talk about what we need and steal energy or time from others by using relationships with an eye towards what we can get rather than what we can give (codependence and people pleasing). I also thought about Hindu asteya teachings as a consideration of debt and the way much of our culture rewards stealing from tomorrow to pay for today's needs whether from fear or systemic necessity. While reading Radanath's book I came to yet another application of this beautiful Hindu teaching of asteya as it applies to having C-PTSD. The practices that accompany an intentional, compassionate, carefully considered Hindu way of life ensure that I am not indebting those who want to love me, or befriend me, to the loans others took when they did harm; I was reminded of the importance of cancelling those emotional debts and minding any interest in the form of resentment and more. It seemed a more helpful and psychologically safe interpretation of forgiveness, than the popular/mainstream understanding of forgiveness which can encourage harmful people to remain in a life they are unwilling to respect and care about. It is another of Radhanath's strengths as a writer: you really understand that you're lovable, when you think about all of the ways brahman exists and expresses itself just to reflect that love to you. I read a great deal about these concepts before finding Radhanath's book and found myself trying to justify against the very black and white polarities in which it was described (mostly written in the 60s and 70s so keep that in mind), to understand how it applies to the everyday. In this sense, I wish I read The Journey Within sooner but I am better able to cherish the book now. If you're reading the review and wondering where to start should you find that Hinduism is meaningful and resonates as a religious and spiritual worldview for you, Radanath has penned a beautiful threshold.

I am sharing a fair bit of myself in this review, while talking about how much I appreciated the book so please forgive my indulgence, as it just articulates my gratitude more fully. Whether you're new to Hinduism, or have been practicing it for a long time, there is wisdom in The Journey Within. It may only be a reminder, or it may be a sentence long clarification of wisdom that it took months of reading to try to first comprehend; There is something in Radhanath's book for everyone.

[Thomas Zegray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been wobbling the path of spirituality, Buddhism and yoga for awhile and read many books etc on the subjects and had pretty much all the pieces of the puzzle scattered around my life. I was born catholic and followed it's course from Catholic school into adulthood, including the Knights of Columbus which evolved many years later up the ladder to Grand Knight. Some unforseen events in my life, plus always having a question mark in my mind about the organized/money mongering/etc etc about everything made me seeking an awakening towards truth and a better way. It started with volunteering walking dogs at the no kill shelter and finding nature and selfless acts. It evolved in talking to God outside the church in nature. I found a guy on Facebook doing videos about positivity and how to walk the path feeding the universe with positive thoughts and abundance will follow. I was still confused about that also but practiced it and my life started turning around big time. I started reading many self help books on all kinds of subjects including Buddhist ways, spiritual ways, I started taking pilate which led towards yoga and the puzzle was coming together. Recently I was fed by the universe several books that have me permanently on the path, but was still stuck with confusion between my Catholic upbringing and my new found spirituality. Then came the
Journey Within..... the puzzle is now complete and everything seems to be perfectly clear to me. I thought that I already had my awakening but now it's as bright as the beautiful sunrises that I photograph each morning walking my baby Brownie on the beach at the State Park the universe found a home for me, very near...I am a published author also and a ballistically avid reader, and this book is a MUST read for westerners who are seeking eastern religious beliefs and the WHOLE enchiladas...thank you, thank you

[Riken Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had some authorship talents and gifts to write the review for this book. Why? Because to the extent, this book has changed my life, helped me on my path of Spiritual Journey, describing its magnitude becomes beyond mere words, all I can say is, it can only be felt at the core of your heart, soul, and our true self.

I was always puzzled by the nature, impulses, and mechanism of Devotion or the path of Devotion. This book dissolved all my doubts, misbelieves, and brought me closer to the magic and the truth of the devotional path.

No matter where you are on the path of your spiritual journey, and enlightenment, towards realizing the ultimate truth, this book has a lot to offer to everyone on their spiritual journey and the journey inward. If you are a beginner, please pick this book up and pour yourself through this book and see the magic unfolding on its own.

Love,
Riken

[Himanshu PRIYADARSHI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the reader to a very exciting and enthralling journey on the way to explore one's true potential which is intrinsically inbuilt within each one of us.
This monumental masterpiece demonstrates what not an individual(irrespective of his past) can achieve even among the most testing circumstances if one is connected to one's true self. Such an individual united with one's real identity becomes a courageous, intelligent, and dynamic instrument of the cosmic grace and universal compassion.
We must attempt to express our profound sense of indebtedness to the author and his entire team for bringing out this masterpiece which will enlighten, enrich, and elevate the readers for generations to come towards a holistic standard of life.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book full of the basics on bhakti yoga and stories by a devotee. It contains much encouragement to move along in our own journey. I had been waffling with the tenant of ahimsa for quite some time and finally, through my own conviction and devotion had decided to become a vegetarian because of this book. I have now been one for almost 6 months and have not regretted it. Being born and raised in midwest farm country, I thought it would be harder, but I believe the spiritual commitment has made it easier than I would have ever expected. Planning on reading his other book soon.

[Devikiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book starts with the basics of Spirituality- understanding of our true self as different from our external self- understanding of - Body, Mind, Intelligence and Soul. Its not just Theoretical, there is a strong message by the Author- "Don't just Read & Understand but do apply these principles in your Life" Then the Authors starts explaining the process of the realization of this knowledge by the Practice of regular Cultivation of Knowledge and Meditation and Lifestyle that is in Harmony with the World outside and the World Within. This book ends with... I hope you to read the book so that you explore that for yourself ;)

[Anurag Dorado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Deep spiritual knowledge expressed simply with philosophical points and personal anecdotes. The stories will make you laught, cry, ponder and all of them will make you think about life on a deeper level. Author did a great job! Recommended for everyone in today's fast paced world.