Radhe Shyam - I am Harmony

The book

There is a tradition of Babaji that goes back thousands of years. Twice in the past hundred years, Babaji has appeared, lived and taught in the tiny village of Haidakhan in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas. In the 1890's, He built the temple on the top of the hill where the Ashram is located. During His ministry from 1970 to 1984, nine small temples and several more ashram buildings were built. His association with the village and ashram has given Him the name of Haidakhan Baba, among many other names.

Babaji comes to teach humanity a way of life which He summed up in the words, "Live in Truth, Simplicity and Love and practice Karma Yoga." He taught that the whole of Creation is the manifestation of the Divine Energy and that humankind must learn to live in harmony and unity with all of the created universe. The Energy of The Divine is in every created element and all things must be treated with love and respect.

Babaji said of Haidakhan: "Here in Haidakhan the old world has been destroyed. I am teaching you this: The New World begins from here! I want you to be happy and in peace."

The author

Radhe Shyam was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1928. He was christened Charles Swan. His father became a Presbyterian minister, so Charles went to school in four Iowa and Nebraska towns where his father was pastor. He received a B.A. in history and M.A. in political science from the University of Nebraska. He taught history and English in a Presbyterian mission school in Tehran, Iran, from 1950-1953. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan Law School in 1957, Radhe Shyam started a career of work in the Office of Foreign Buildings in the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

After 22 years in various positions in the Office of Foreign Buildings, Radhe Shyam retired in 1979. On a trip, early in 1980, intended to launch a consulting business, he met Haidakhan Baba - Babaji - in Vrindaban, India. Soon after, he abandoned the consulting career and his home in Washington, D.C., to live for five years in Babaji's ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India. Babaji gave Charles the name Radhe Shyam, one of the names of Lord Krishna.

"I Am Harmony" is the story of Radhe Shyam's and others' experiences of life and spiritual growth in the presence of this unique Himalayan Master. In 1991, after publication of "I Am Harmony", Radhe Shyam went to Russia, where "I Am Harmony" was published in Russian. He lived five years in the city of Voronezh, south of Moscow, working with Association Peace Through Culture, U.S.A. to help create cultural, educational and business connections between Russia and the West. Since 1996, he has lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Sita Rami, who is now head of the Adoptions and Foster Care office at the Three Rivers American Indian Center, and practices law.

Radhe Shyam passed away in 2006. He was, the true epitome of the selfless karma yogi generously giving of himself and working until the end on this new edition of "I Am Harmony" and serving as Board member of the American Haidakhan Samaj. It was his last wish to publish this new and revised edition. He lives on through the book, which has touched the hearts of so many people around the world. His presence, generous spirit, and guidance will always be with us through "I am Harmony".

Radhe Shyam

I am Harmony

A Book About Babaji

Table of Content

COVER

THE BOOK / THE AUTHOR

TITLE

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORDS

Foreword to the second edition

Foreword to the first edition

CHAPTER I

We Meet Haidakhan Baba

CHAPTER II

Previous Manifestations of Babaji

CHAPTER III

Predictions and Preparations for Babaji's Return: Mahendra Maharaj and Vishnu Dutt Mishra

CHAPTER IV

Babaji's Return to Haidakhan

CHAPTER V

How Babaji Identified Himself

CHAPTER VI

How Babaji Called People to Himself

CHAPTER VII

Some Leelas of Babaji

CHAPTER VIII

Babaji Teaches: The Concepts of Guru and Sanatan Dharma

CHAPTER IX

Babaji Teaches: Truth, Simplicity, Love and Unity

CHAPTER X

Babaji Teaches: Jap and Karma Yoga

CHAPTER XI

Babaji Prophesies

CHAPTER XII

Babaji Shows a Path to God-Realization

CHAPTER XIII

Babaji Teaches About Religion and the Significance of Haidakhan

CHAPTER XIV

Mahasamadhi

CHAPTER XV

Afterwards

CHAPTER XVI

A Challenge to Adventure

MORE PHOTOS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING

NOTES

IMPRINT

"I bow to Thee, O Lord, Image of mercy; To Shiva, Who is affectionate to His disciples, Doer of Goodness, The Destroyer of sins and suffering; To Thee, the incarnation of compassion, I surrender always."

On the (1990) publication of this book, I need to make a number of acknowledgements for help without which this book might never have seen the light of day.

First and foremost, I acknowledge Shri Shri Haidakhan Wale Baba, Mahavatar Babaji, Who, in 1981, instructed me to write this book and Who has, I think, inspired many of its pages.

I thank "Om Shanti Devi" and Sheila Devi Singh for a vast quantity of translation of Babaji's words from Hindi into English, without which I would have missed even more of the kaleidoscopic activity which took place in Babaji's presence. I am grateful to the many people who shared with me significant personal experiences which illustrate Babaji's teachings and His methods of teaching. Their experiences, the written experiences of people of 'Old Haidakhan Baba,' and my own experiences with Him form the major part of this book.

I owe many thanks to the generous hosts who arranged travel for Babaji and His followers to many cities in India, who housed and fed us, and whose functions provided opportunities to share experiences of Babaji, as well as stimulating new experiences. I thank the many devotees who lived in Haidakhan and acted their roles in Babaji's earthly play and to those who maintain some semblance of His presence there still.

I thank Swami Fakiranand for encouraging my use of his voluminous files and stories about Haidakhan Baba. I thank Vishnu Dutt Shastriji again and again for his comprehensive knowledge of the Vedic scriptures and of Babaji's message and teachings, for the beauty and clarity of his explanations and exhortations, and for his generous sharing of his knowledge and wisdom. And I thank Shri Trilok Singh - whom Babaji called "Muniraj," King of the Sages - for his steady and uplifting example, and for his constancy in service to The Divine.

In the United States, where this book was completed and published, I want to acknowledge and thank Brad Bunnin for sharing his comprehensive knowledge of copyright and publishing law; Bill Bowman, for his assistance in establishing the Spanish Creek Press; and Richard Baltzell for excellent advice on publishing and distribution of the book. I thank Elizabeth Weisiger for finding the Ringier America printing firm and brokering the contract for the printing of this book, and Virginia Masi for executing J.D. Marston's book cover design.