At a time when most teenagers are partying or enjoying a late night movie, Richard (in his words) was in a foreign land trying to understand his existence.
Richie (as he was known then), now Radhanath Swami, pens in his autobiography, The Journey Home - Autobiography of an American Swami the turmoil he underwent while trying to place himself in an environment alien to his upbringing.
Swami’s journey across countries such as Europe, the Middle East and wonderland India, portrays the downs he faces while searching for inner peace and truth and how each time, his belief in God deepens. For instance, during the spring of 1971 in Pashupatinath, Nepal, Swami found himself amid a large group of pilgrims entering an ancient temple.
At first he was kicked and thrown away owing to his skin colour, but later when he drowned himself in ashes and refused to speak like mauni babas, he was taken straight to the altar where stood a stone figure of Lord Shiva. Swami was welcomed and his blessings were sought.
If meditating on a rock in the middle of River Ganga was not enough, Swami also dwelled in one of the Himalayan caves meditating. While it has adventure, the books also showcases love and humour that the Swami experienced in his life.
