If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir

Beautiful book, a must read for every true seeker.

Inspiring book. Om Swami writes in a down-to-earth manner. He does not come across as a pretentious monk who is full of bookish knowledge but lacks practical experience of God. On the contrary, he comes across as a modern man, a person of today's young generation, who had the courage and conviction to seek- and find- God. I personally found this book brilliant and would recommend it to any other sincere seeker after Truth. Om Swami boldly declares that religion has no value unless it makes people more compassionate. Compassion is the essence of religion. To be able to conquer anger and other lower emotions is religion. Without this, he states no amount of prayer, ritual or anything else will help attain the experience of God. His words ring absolutely true. God bless this noble soul for writing this wonderful book. May all of us dare to forge our own path to God even as he did. Hari Aum Tat Sat.

Some lives do not rise, they unravel. If Truth Be Told: A Monk’s Memoir traces not a journey toward success, but a quiet undoing of everything that once defined it. What begins as a familiar ascent into wealth and achievement soon reveals a deeper fracture. Beneath the surface lies a restlessness that success cannot soothe. The search that follows is not serene or poetic, but relentless, marked by failed pursuits and a growing disillusionment with easy answers. There is no romantic veil over renunciation here. The retreat into solitude is stark and exacting, where silence weighs heavily and survival itself becomes a test. Spirituality is stripped of ornament, reduced to something raw and unyielding. And yet, in that starkness, something shifts. Not a revelation bestowed, but a truth uncovered. The search collapses into a simple, disarming realization that what was sought was never elsewhere. It is a deeply compelling read, and a striking testament to the honesty of the journey and the clarity of its author.

Very enjoyable book. Only criticism is that only a small portion of the book dealt with his period of intense meditation in the Himalayas. The rest of the book was about his life and the events leading up to that period.

In the book 'Om Swami As We Know Him', there is a beautiful quote by Kabir: 'Slowly, slowly O mind, everything happens at its own pace. Though the gardener may water with a hundred buckets, the fruit arrives only in its season.' I have read this book more than 4 or 5 times, as well as bought it as a gift for my family and friends. Yesterday, I have finished re-reading it once again. What's really interesting, some lines, paragraphs, text sounded completely new too me, like I have not read the book before. With each new read you discover something new. They say 'When a pupil is ready, the teacher comes'. I think same with this book: when you're ready to a new dimension, to new understanding, to new knowledge, the book opens up a bit more. I have seen reviews with people saying that the Epilogue is the most important part, that the main conclusions are there. To me it's not the case. Yes, the Epilogue is very important, but so many lines in other chapters are as valuable. If you are interested in real yoga, in real meditation, in the path of real sadhana, and want to learn from a person who has actually walked the path, it's hard to find something better than this book. And once you finished it, I suggest you read "The Rainmaker: The Miracles and Healing Stories of Om Swami". I have both a hardcover and a paperback version of the book.

I found the craft of piecing words together and making garlands of wisdom that shine in any person who puts them on.

This book shares a story about a life which is very different from yours and mine. One life being lived with intensity and compassion that comes through even in written words. Would recommend to read this story even if just to experience wonderful diversity of people on this planet. In my case, this book has inspired me to fly to India just to meet its author...

The autobiography of Om Swami will be perceived differently by different people. It may even sound unbelievable the first time you read it, but it’s all truth and only truth, if truth be told:) A must read, and if you’re here you might as well get it and watch your life take a turn because this book chooses who reads it!:)