If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. As a disclaimer, I haven't met Om Swami personally and I only know him through this book. The book is remarkably well-written. The writing is crisp and clear, marked by simplicity, candour and humor.The book traces the transition of Amit, born in Patiala, into Om Swami - a tantric monk. It is a heart-warming tale that is believable. Amit appears to have been a precocious child, who was a voracious reader from the age of five. As a child, he was fascinated by spirituality and God. Amit early education was in India. Aa a teen, he was well-versed in Vedic texts and also became an astrologer. His tertiary education was in Australia, where he acquired an under-graduate degree in Business and an MBA in 2002. He was extraordinarily successful over the next six years, starting a software business that had operations in Australia, USA, UK, Canada and India. He seems to have been highly focused, energetic and very hard-working. He saw both highs and lows in business. On March 15, 2010, at the age of 30, Amit renounced his material wealth and embraced spirituality. He went in search of a guru and spent nearly five months in Benares with a Naga saint, who comes across as anything but saintly. The saint, who had been conferred the title of Tantric Emperor, had not mastered his own anger. Amit was mistreated and exploited but he bore the whole experience rather stoically. Amit decided to go on his own. He went to the Himalayas. Spending 13 months in exclusion, he intensively meditated and was rewarded with a direct vision of the Goddess. I have spent nearly 25 years on a spiritual path and the book strongly resonates with my own experiences. It seems genuine and authentic. Right now in India, it is hard to find a spiritual master who is not a charlatan or a fake. Most of the so-called masters are not enlightened. Their knowledge is bookish. They run a slick marketing campaign and attract gullible people through franchised meditation workshops or large-scale idols of Indian gods. On the other hand, Om Swami's insights seem to be from direct experience. His recommendation for life appears simple: "Live. Love. Laugh. Give." This is not some new age psycho-babble but a profound insight based on intuitive knowledge. Who is this book meant for? It is a book for a spiritual aspirant seriously interested in God. Regrettably, 99.99% of the population is not interested in spirituality or God. They seek saints to fulfill their trivial material desires for wealth, partner, health and comfort. Some individuals have approached Om Swami to help them locate misplaced jewelery! One should not waste a Master's hard-acquired spiritual energy in fulfilling such petty desires. Om Swami is well-versed in Vedic texts and his knowledge of scriptures is astounding. He is an orthodox monk specializing in the tantric path. This path may not suit everyone, as it is hard. It requires enormous discipline, faith, courage and persistence. If you are unable to master your senses and passion, you might fall on the way. If you are under the misconception that tantra is all about amazing sex, he is not the right person for you. On the other hand, if you are genuinely curious about God, he can show you the way. But be aware that you are unlikely to see the Goddess as he did after 13 months of meditation in the Himalayas. His achievement was probably over several life times. It was destined that he would be enlightened in this lifetime. Even if you are not a serious seeker, it is worthwhile to read the book as it is a truthful account of how to become a spiritual master. Ultimately, it is grace that makes you enlightened but it is unflinching effort that attracts grace.

It is 5 o’clock in the morning. The alarm from my Huawei smart phone rings in the other room. It is the same song “dream it possible’ from Delacey waking me gently. This sounds the start of my morning ritual. Once the song is over, I get up, walk to other room, switch off the alarm and silently thank the Almighty for giving me another day to live and hence another opportunity to work on myself. I move to the kitchen, take a full glass of water and sip it slowly. I try to be mindful but the realities are the realities. I know I am still a work-in- progress personage. Nothing is wrong with that; we do what we can as per our capacity. No comparison with others and no neurotic frustration should stem out of our current limitations. This is another reminder for me that it never pays to be too hard on oneself. Striking the right balance is key. ‘Treading on the middle path is the way to go’, says the Buddha. After my glass of water is over, I feel my bowels move. I switch on the wifi box, take my tablet, press on the start button and sit in the most relaxed demeanor on the toilet pot. I have 20 minutes in front of me to read my next spiritual book: If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir by Om Swami. This is my second book by this author. His previous book on mantra has intrigued me. From what I have gathered from that one, Om Swami gives me the impression of a young chap but oh so full of knowledge and load of spiritual experiences. From his writing, I also got a gist of him being a hard disciplinarian in his own life and his spiritual quest. Hmm he simply means business..period. I wanted to know more, because he sounded courageous enough to renounce everything and set himself on a spiritual adventure which has leaded him to his current lifestyle. It was with such mulling that I decided to give ‘If Truth Be Told’ a try. A certain number of mornings later, each session tags to the 20 minutes and few seconds, the book is finally over. Verdict: A inspiring piece of work. I can resonate with many of the episodes of the Swami’s earlier life and struggles. He is another fellow companion on this roller coaster ride calls life. His story can never be identical to ours as each one of us is on our own hero’s journey too. Yet we can learn and fortify our personal resolves by learning about his trial and tribulations, his woes, his victories and finally his enlightenment. Om Swami has set the bar high and his story can be considered as one gauge among the many examples that life has shown us throughout the history of humanity. It is up to us to take it as a model. This is a book from a compassionate being whom I feel, honestly wants to help others like me, in their quest to find their own truth. This book will never make you enlightened and it should not, because this is not its purpose. Read it, reflect and continue your path. One day will come when you too will have your own story to tell. Just keep going, no matter what.

Oh, what a life! Oh, what is life! If you want to live and learn, please learn and live. This book is a must read.

A page turner chronicling a monks journey hardships and self realization . His pragmatic teachings spoke truth to me of his experiences not just dogma or rituals. His courage and fortitude is astonishing and his success in the material world prior was awesome inspiring 💯

Clearly the best book I have ever read. Truth, honesty, and love all come together and form an incessant downpour of sheer bliss. Swami Ji book is that light that dispels the darkness of ignorance, illuminates the heart with love, and washes away the the bed karma. Perseverance where swami Ji is trying to find a job, forgiveness and love towards a person who does you wrong, values above wealth...the book is full of so many pearls, each time you reread you find a new jewel. Over 55 years, I have read medical, science, law and numerous autobiographic books but this book is a class in its own. The descriptions are so vivid, you almost feel the hub bub of Varanasi, you feel the bite of scorpion, you feel Ganges like character of swami ji, as if with its divine touch washing away your bed Karma. Those who are familiar with Hindu epic Ramayana will recall Vibhshan meets Hanuman Ji he exclaims: AAB MOHI BHA BHAROSE HANUMANATA BINU HARI KRIPA MILHEE NAHI SANTA( Oh! dearest Hanuman, now I am totally assured of my salvation for without lord Rama's blessing it is impossible to have privilege of meeting a saint). If you have this book in your hand, it is nothing short of Vibhishan meeting Hanuman ji. Indeed it is by God's grace,and only those who Rama/Krishna/Jesus/Gurunanak/Allaha has chosen to be enlightened will have the fortune to read this book. In this materialistic world, just like Gurunank did "Sacha Sodha", Swami ji's book is "Sacha Sodha". If you harbor hate, malignant thoughts, narrow mindedness,jealousy ,envy, anger...this book is powerful antidote for all...PROVIDED you are willing to let the swami Ji's divine beam come and enlighten the darkness that engulfs our lives, minds and souls.

It was an amazing experience reading this book. The narration in this autobiography is finely balanced, in a neutral but inspiring way just as truth must be told, without any prejudice or specific agenda from author. It's just an unbiased and honest representation of author's life which unfolds the deeper meaning of existence and implicitly shows the way, how to righteously face your life's ups and downs and learn from every moment. Beside that it brings a fresh perspective on path to enlightenment, which is very logical and comprehensible. A quote from this book - "Enlightenment teaches us how to live in the world with grace, independence and joy." Like the author, we are on our own journey to find truth for ourselves and by conquering our inner self we can live an enlightened life without renouncing the material world, navigating as a master of our mind and not a slave to our body.

it is a must read for anyone in the spiritual path. I don’t consider myself as a good reader of books… honestly, I could not put this book down, finished the book in about 48 hours.

The most outstanding book that I've ever read. A self account of this wonderful person who reached the heights of material success at a very young age, only to give it away in order to achieve the pinnacle of spiritual growth, the final summit! It is the most amazing account of a self realized person in modern times. It's rare that one achieves enlightenment, it's probably even rarer in the present times and if one does, the person's words may not be directly accessible or even if they were, they may not be expressed in the form or language that they could be understood easily. This book cuts through all such barriers. You will have a close "darshan" of this enlightened being through this book. Go for it. It'll be hard to keep it down. And in the end it will change your perspective on life. I'd recommend Om Swami's discourses on YouTube and his blog after reading this book.

If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir is an absolutely remarkable and unforgettable reading experience. From the very first page, the book is extremely intriguing, drawing the reader deeply into the unconventional life journey of the author. It's not just a recounting of events, but a profound exploration of personal transformation that makes it virtually impossible to put down. ​What truly elevates this memoir is its emotional honesty. The narrative is very touching, offering raw, vulnerable insights into the struggles, revelations, and deep spiritual commitment involved in dedicating one's life to monasticism. The author shares a perspective that is both unique and universally relatable, resonating with any reader who has questioned their own purpose or path. More than just a story, this book is intensely motivational. It serves as a gentle but firm reminder that true contentment and clarity are achievable, inspiring readers to look inward and seek greater meaning in their own lives. I loved reading the book and highly recommend it to anyone seeking spiritual inspiration or simply a beautifully told story of an extraordinary life choice.

If Truth Be Told: A Monk’s Memoir is an extraordinary and soul‑stirring memoir that lingers long after the final page. Written with humility, clarity, and emotional depth, this book offers a rare, unfiltered look into the inner life of a monk—one that goes far beyond robes, rituals, or stereotypes. What makes this memoir truly outstanding is its radical honesty. The author does not romanticize monastic life; instead, they courageously share moments of doubt, struggle, longing, discipline, and awakening. The storytelling is deeply personal yet universally relatable, reminding readers that the search for meaning, peace, and truth is something we all share—regardless of our chosen path. The prose is beautifully measured and contemplative, inviting readers to slow down and reflect. Each chapter feels purposeful, offering quiet wisdom without preaching. The insights into mindfulness, silence, detachment, compassion, and self‑examination are powerful, practical, and grounded in lived experience rather than abstract philosophy. This book is not just a memoir—it’s an invitation. An invitation to look inward, question assumptions, embrace vulnerability, and consider what it truly means to live authentically. Whether you are spiritual, curious, skeptical, or simply human, If Truth Be Told meets you where you are. A deeply moving, enlightening, and courageous work, this memoir is a gift to anyone seeking clarity, inner peace, or a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Highly recommended.

It’s simply outstanding , its presents his deeper insights .

Una storia vera, il percorso spirituale di Om Swamiji. Affascinante il suo ritiro in una caverna del Himalaya. Om Swamiji è veramente una Persona illuminata e speciale. Questo libro è un grande insegnamento per un ricercatore spirituale. Apre la mente ed il cuore. Uno dei libri più importanti della mia vita, e ne ho letti tantissimi. With infinite gratitude to Om Swamiji. Irene

This biography is an interesting one for anyone who is wondering what is the meaning of life beyond ordinary pleasure seeking activities!