If Truth Be Told: A Monk's Memoir

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.

Beautiful book, a must read for every true seeker.

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!:)

I wish when his commercial life was going he talked about what were his inner thoughts. The chapter just shifted very abruptly the ‘why’ the build up could have been expressed a bit more. Overall great

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.

Whilst reading this memoir, I actually felt as if I was a fly on the wall . Well versed and executed and thank you swamiji for reaching out to me and shedding light in my life. I will definitely follow your advise and find my light

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.

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...

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.

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!