If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir

In the 1990s, an ambitious eighteen-year-old embarked on a journey to Australia to pursue his worldly aspirations. Faced with minimal financial resources and support, survival became a daily struggle. Within two years, however, he transformed his circumstances, achieving an annual income of $250,000. By the age of twenty-six, he had amassed a multimillionaire status. Yet, this worldly success marked only a brief stopover in a profound journey that commenced in his childhood.

At the tender age of eight, he experienced a vision of God in a dream, imprinting upon him a profound sense of joy and peace. This encounter sparked a lifelong desire to connect with the divine, pushing him to explore avenues such as astrology, intense meditation, and tantra. Despite his efforts, the elusive presence of God remained beyond reach. Frustration led him to immerse himself in materialistic pursuits, attempting to quell the internal restlessness.

After years of indulging in the pleasures of the world, he confronted the undeniable void within himself. The old restlessness resurfaced, and he could no longer ignore the spiritual yearning that persisted. Ultimately, he made the life-altering decision to return to India, where he fulfilled his long-held aspiration to renounce the world and embrace a monastic path.