The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti Hardcover – May 17, 2016

very interesting and magical

The contents in the book look adorably decent, well-polished and fine-tuned to suit more or less every section of reader who attempts to read it. The author has a remarkable way of approaching his readers through an immaculate spectrum of warmth and friendliness. Reading a book as gentle as "The Journey Within" makes us feel as if every word is smiling upon us.Yes, the book has a lot deeper meaning in its every single phrase. Looks like the author is an immensely experienced personality in knowing the life intimately and, so far, according to his reflections, he certainly has a heartwarming, sweet and creamy answers to the inexplicable intricacies of our contemporary lives.For the readers who are new in exploring spirituality, this is the book which can easily and lucidly impress upon them the necessity and genuineness of spirituality in every small things that we do. Through the author's noteworthy realizations, he emphasizes us to embed love, compassion, truthfulness on every small act at every moment. The author states this continual mindful practice as "bhakti yoga". Not a physical form of exercise but an emotional, holistic and a compassionate exercise of love.For the reader who are well into spirituality, this book may, at first read, look very pleasing and gentle, but upon reflecting deeply the thoughts of Radhanath Swami, one may realize that the revelations are far more profound. The author has a rather rare knack of delicately striking a chord with the impact of a thunderbolt! The beautiful rhythms of quintessential food for thought sprinkled throughout the book by Radhanath Swami make way for a pleasing experience of reading a spiritual book having deep insights and yet having a seemingly neutral, non-sectarian, and more importantly, a universal undertone.This book is consistent throughout in its contents. It can absorb readers cheerfully into a divine and a homely feeling, a feeling of inner harmony and tranquility. In fact, you feel the same freshness even if you lose your track or read the book after a long break.

The Journey Within is a book that gave me the key to a secret about inner reality that I had been looking for all along, but couldn't grasp. I could get spiritual experiences sometimes, but it was not sustainable and I would eventually lose the connection with my inner self, not knowing why it was lost again. None of the practices I had tried out before yoga, especially bhakti yoga, gave me lasting satisfaction. To me, this book is a rare treasure that shines a light on the path to the hidden, mysterious inner landscape that we all long to experience fully, mostly know about theoretically, may even have some glimpses of, but don't know how to actually hold on to that experience in the long-term. I tried looking for answers in knowledge about chakras and reading ancient scriptures, but I couldn't find a way to maintain that continual inspiration from within. The simple practices described in this book are easy to incorporate for one looking to go deeper into yoga and enjoy its many spiritual benefits. Also, I could relate to the thought-provoking stories presented in the book and they changed my world-view and perspective considerably, opening up a wider scope for me to be a more loving and compassionate person, despite any circumstances that life may throw at me. Overall, this book is a must-read for seekers who want to experience the much-famed Inner Reality in a more sustainable way and take a step deeper into the ocean of yoga.

The Journey Within is a long awaited follow-up to The Journey Home, the journey from Richard Slavin to Radhanath Swami, the journey from a routine life to a life of fulfilment and happiness, the journey from an external desert to an internal oasis. Radhanath Swami, from his personal experiences and interactions with others very lucidly explains that to attain true happiness we don't need to change our externalities, we just need to change our consciousness. Fans of The Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda or Thomas Merton’s Seven Story Mountain, will especially appreciate The Journey Home.The Journey Within is full of inspiration and gives me joy and shelter whenever I open it. I have learnt the principles of a wholesome life of inner peace and joy. I could see both in this book, The universal treatise on humanity's search for meaning and an intimate guide to tread the path of love and peace in this age of personal and social anxiety.It is a fascinating book that expresses the depth, vitality, and non-sectarian aspects of contemporary Indian devotional spirituality.I truly second the review given by Janet Bray Attwood (New York Times BEST-SELLING AUTHOR of The Passion Test and Your Hidden Riches) - "The wisdom is this book has opened doors within my heart, and I believe it can do the same for any sincere reader."To conclude The Journey Home gave me a gripping account of his geographical and spiritual itinerary whereas in The Journey Within, he summarizes the content of the wisdom he achieved.