Sometimes pain makes its mark on our lifes in such profound ways that it feels like they start to define who we are. The more we try to hide the pain by wearing masks to show the world that "everything is fine", the more that pain does not allow us to have a life full of real love and real joy. My story is about this kind of pain. But beyond that, it's about the real process of healing. It's about how I finally understood the reason for so much suffering. Amid all the mess in my life, I found my way back to my safe harbor, to my truth and my self-love. In this book, my deepest desire is to take you the reader on a journey of love, understanding and acceptance, so that you can: Leave behind the cycle of suffering and experience the relief and support you will need for the next steps; Rebuild your relationships, starting with yourself followed by everyone who is important in your life; Reconnect with your self-value and your own truth, so that you can live according to your purpose in life; Experience forgiveness and allow yourself to be truthfully happy; Free the strength inside yourself!

The story of one man’s journey from his youth in suburban Chicago to an adult in spiritual India and a world of mystics, yogis, and gurus. Within this extraordinary memoir, Radhanath Swami weaves a colorful tapestry of adventure, mysticism, and love. Readers follow Richard Slavin from the suburbs of Chicago to the caves of the Himalayas as he transforms from young seeker to renowned spiritual guide. The Journey Home is an intimate account of the steps to self-awareness and also a penetrating glimpse into the heart of mystic traditions and the challenges that all souls must face on the road to inner harmony and a union with the Divine. Through near-death encounters, apprenticeships with advanced yogis, and years of travel along the pilgrim’s path, Radhanath Swami eventually reaches the inner sanctum of India’s mystic culture and finds the love he has been seeking. It is a tale told with rare candor, immersing the reader in a journey that is at once engaging, humorous, and heartwarming. Praise for The Journey Home “Here is an inspiring chapter of “our story” of spiritual pilgrimage to the East. It shows the inner journey of awakening in a fascinating and spellbinding way.” —Ram Dass, author, Be Here Now “He tells his story with remarkable honest—the temptations of the 1970s, his doubts, hopes, and disappointments, the culture shock, and the friendships found and lost . . . Add a zest of danger, suspense, and surprise, and Radhanath Swami’s story is a deep, genuine memoir that reads like a novel.” —Brigitte Sion, assistant professor of Religious Studies, New York University

DAVID DUKES was born and raised in Madison, Florida. At the age of seventeen, in 1963, he led the civil rights movement in Madison. He did voter-registration work, sit-ins at restaurants, and recreational facilities, conducted training seminars, and demonstrated in support for freedom, equality, justice, and human rights for blacks in the American South.

21 A stirring story of hope and perseverance, a story of a little girl uprooted from a caring vineyard and planted in a strange land. It's a chronicle of faith that took nearly fifty years to come to fruition. It tells of the faith and humbleness of a child that remains the author's greatest attributes. Lenita Jane's story is an inspiration. It reminds us that we may not be able to control the events in our lives, but we decide how it will affect us. Lenita's story encourages us to keep the faith, to give out but never give up, to hope against all odds. 21

Brown chronicles the life of a family of five through the unveiling of secrets, life-changing events, disasters, delights, disappointments, and divine intervention.

No one walks into a marriage thinking that it will end. Spouses talk about their futures together, growing old together, where they may want to retire, places they want to visit someday, their hopes and dreams and goals for themselves and for each other. When the marriage ends, there is generally a feeling of failure that goes along with it. A marriage is supposed to be a partnership, and we all know that we have to work at it to keep it together. If it ends, does that mean we didnt work hard enough? Didnt try hard enough? Didnt do enough to keep our spouse happy? What went wrong? Why couldnt I make it work? Why couldnt I fix the problems? These feelings are so common, especially among all of the overachievers out there who believe they can accomplish anything and fix anything if they just try hard enough. Recognize that life is not fair and accept that reality. However, also recognize that sometimes it is not fair in your favor. Imbalance sometimes tips toward you and sometimes away from you. Dont dwell on the times when it feels like the world is against you; instead celebrate the times when everything seems to be going your way. Take responsibility for your own happiness. If anyone intrudes on your happiness, recognize that it is your own fault for allowing it to happen. No one can make you feel any particular wayyou control your own feelings and reactions. You choose how you will handle any particular situation. You can wallow in self-pity and wither away, or you can learn from a negative experience, grow from it, and become a better, stronger, and happier person. Accept responsibility for your own future; it is all on you now, and if you dont take responsibility for it, no one else will.

Bijan was born in 1961 in Tehran, Iran. Although he was a brilliant student in his early and middle school years he lost his interest in academic studies to the degree that he quit college twice and returned to the spiritualism and mysticism instead. By the rise of the Islamic regime in 1979 in Iran his life began to drastically change where it took him to some of the darkest and most unimaginable places and situations he could have ever thought of. Was he eventually able to overcome his challenges?! He paid a heavy price to find the answer to this question. Bijan currently lives in Toronto-Canada. He is the founder and leader of the Generation 8, an organization reaching out to Iranians all over the world through modern art, music, and media.