ISKCON head's new book 'The Journey Within' launched

Pic Courtesy: Book cover

Mumbai: 'The Journey Within', penned by ISKCON spiritual head Radhanath Swami Maharaj as a sequel to his earlier New York Times bestseller 'The Journey Home', was released here in the presence of a galaxy of personalities.

A much-awaited follow-up of the first book 'The Journey Within', which was the autobiography of an American Swami in India, in 'The Journey Home' the author has highlighted his own experiences as a long-standing guru of Bhakti Yoga which illustrates the basic teachings of the ancient Indian philosophy and spiritualism.

"My experiences, which I hope, would enlighten the readers with spiritual thoughts and philosophy, as we take a long journey across the globe.. We derive happiness which is short lived or may derive no happiness because we seldom take a 'journey within', which can reveal our purpose of existence and guide us on the path of eternal happiness," Radhanath Swami said on Thursday night.

He said the mysteries of the soul have evaded mystics, sages and gurus for centuries, humanity has long yearned to discover the purpose of our existence, and many spiritual traditions have evolved through sacred texts that facilitate journeys of transformation and discovery.

"Yet, never before have all of the spiritual traditions been distilled so simply into one easy-to-follow path -- of Love and Devotion -- to provide these answers," added Radhanath Swami, who heads the International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple, at Chowpatty in south Mumbai.

Present on the occasion were Bollywood producer Smita Thackeray, athlete Kranti Salvi, Hungarian Consul-General Norbert Revai-Bere, Mauritius Consul-General Bineshwaree Napaul and TV actor Nitesh Bharadwaj, among others.

With illuminating references to western religions and ideologies, 'The Journey Within' goads readers from all backgrounds to discover the simple truths that unite the people and answer timeless questions like "What is Love, Soul, Who is God, How to live in the physical world without losing touch with the spiritual, etc", said a spokesperson.