Latest news and features

April Celebrations Part 1 - Featuring live recordings from groups such as Ananda, Agnikana's group, Heart-Dawn and Mountain-Silence

Excerpts from the Jewels of Happiness audiobook. 17 luminaries from around the world read extracts from Sri Chinmoy's book - The Jewels of Happiness.

The smile of your infinity's dawn - Anahata. A dynamic arrangement of Sri Chinmoy's music

Samunnati is a frequent participant in the World Harmony Run, a torch relay event that travels the globe carrying a message of international friendship and understanding. She has been part of the international team for many European runs and in 2008 she joined the team in Australia as it circumnavigated the entire continent. The below photograph shows her carrying the Torch during a 2012 run in the Czech Republic.

More news on Belfast marathon:

• BBC News report
• Belfast Telegraph

“Peace is something that we become. Once we become peace, then only can we give peace to the world and receive peace from the world.”

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

The Peace Run van helping to carry equipment and provisions for the runners.

• Follow the latest news from the Peace Run in Australia.

Notes

[1] Sri Chinmoy,  Talk on Peace, Ohio, February 12th, 1974

Photos by Prabhakar,

Videos from 6-10 day race

Day 2 of the Six Day Race

More 6-10 day race videos

In addition to the many runners, there is a whole team of helpers, counters, cooks, medical staff and volunteers who help to manage the running of the race. The race is documented by photographers, writers and videographers, including:

Perfection Journey - Utpal's blog

It is Monday afternoon and the one mile loop of the Self Transcendence races is alive with movement. Some like Alex Swenson are running with such strength and poise that I have to remind myself that he has been here now for more than 24 hours and has already completed 116 miles in that time. Continue reading.

6 and 10 day race at Perfection Journey

Arpan's Race blogs

On Tuesday night, around midnight, the Ten Day runners have completed six and a half days. So they are over halfway done with only three and a half days to go to the finish line. The Six Day runners have completed two and a half days and are closing in on their halfway point in 12 hours. They also only have three and a half days as runners of both races have the same finishing time, Saturday, April 27 at 12:00 Noon.

Now that all of the runners have experienced the ‘thrill’ of staying on their feet and moving forward at various speeds most of the day and night, day after day and night after night, they all have their own interpretations of what this unusual experience is like to them.

I am particularly interested in the experiences expressed by the first-timers who have never had this kind of experience before. Nirbhasa Magee, a computer programmer from Dublin, Ireland, has run marathons for many years and even completed a 24-Hour race recently. But this is his first time at a multiday race. He is running the Ten Day race and had completed five and a half days already when I asked him what the high points and low points of the race was to him so far. He had completed 295 miles by the halfway point, which was noon on Monday. This is an average of almost 60 miles per day so far which is quite good for a first time multiday runner..

6 and 10 day blogs by Arpan

• Results

The finale to the concert featured a moving and energising arrangement of Sri Chinmoy's song Twenty First Century.

TWENTY-FIRST Century, the New Millennium! No more the old sorrows and joys-compendium. God's Heart, God's Eye, a new hope and a new promise! O run and dive and fly-Bliss, Infinity's Bliss! The world shall cheer the road with a God-surrender-song. Creator's Silence-Hearts, creation's sound-lives throng.

- Sri Chinmoy, The New Millenium

The song Twenty-First century is also featured in the songbook, The New Millenium

• Songs of the Soul concert April 2013

In March 2013, the owners of the family-operated business David, Pat, David (Jr) and Debbie, generously hosted a ceremony for the dedication of Caversham wildlife park as Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom Wildlife park.

The ceremony featured students from Ellen Stirling Primary and the Riverlands Montessori school, who both sang at the event. The former performing a rendition of Sri Chinmoy's song "O Make My Mind Tranquil and Calm”. Cr Patty Williams from the local council, City of Swan, gave a moving speech about the ideals of promoting peace in the local community.

The plaque includes an inscription

CAVERSHAM WILDLIFE PARK is proudly declared a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom Wildlife Park Dedicated March 2013

May the beauty of the fauna and flora of Caversham Wildlife Park remind all who visit to reflect on peace in the world, and in themselves, for the benefit of humanity, and all creatures great and small.

“Peace means a flood of love in the world family.”

- Sri Chinmoy

Since 1986, many significant landmarks around the world have been dedicated to peace in this programme initiated by Sri Chinmoy. The Peace-Blossom program offers communities and individuals who hope for a more peaceful world a tangible opportunity to participate in this noble cause.

• Peace-Blossoms at Student of Peace
• A visit to Caversham Wildlife park by the World Harmony Run
• Caversham wildlife park

The launch took place on the eve of the first UN International Day of Happiness, to celebrate that landmark event. The chapters of the celebrity audio book contains inspiring passages and poems deal that are divided into themes such as patience, gratitude and enthusiasm - qualities that can be cultivated to gain lasting happiness.

Over 500 United Nations ambassadors, delegates, staff and members of NGOs were present at the launch. “These sweet gems of wisdom by my dear friend Sri Chinmoy are timeless truths full of encouragement, love and goodness,” Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said in a video message. “Sri Chinmoy was a pioneer in forging a grand alliance of hearts and minds for the culture of peace,“ said Anwarul Chowdhury, Special Advisor and former Under-Secretry-General to the United Nations, in his introduction.

Renowned composer Philip Glass performed on the piano while Cathy Oerter, co-founder of Art of the Olympians and wife of legendary Olympian Al Oerter, and Ashrita Furman, holder of the most Guinness World Records, read from the book live.

A special message from peace activist Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and former Member of Parliament in South Africa, was also read out.

Among the 17 outstanding individuals who read a chapter of the new audio book:

• Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• 5-time Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Roberta Flack
• Olympic legend Carl Lewis
• Emmy and Tony award winning actress Judith Light
• legendary Russian singer Boris Grebenshikov.

The Jewels of Happiness presents selected writings of Indian born Sri Chinmoy, who offered twice-weekly peace meditations for delegates and staff at the United Nations for 37 years. He also initiated global programmes to foster peace and happiness including the world's largest relay run for international friendship and peace.

The audio book is available on itunes and audible.com and its proceeds will go to charities for children worldwide: Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund, Philani Nutrition and Development Project in South Africa and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

Sushumna became a student of Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s, shortly after her daughter Swarnodaya met Sri Chinmoy in New York. As a new disciple, Sushumna guided the London Sri Chinmoy Centre through its formative years and was always very welcoming and encouraging to new members. She was in many ways a quintessential English lady, noted for her fine manners and kind disposition.

In the 1970s, Sushumna helped to organise some of Sri Chinmoy's early visits to England and his university lectures, including Oxford and Cambridge university. Sushumna also accompanied Sri Chinmoy on some of this travels around England and later recounted many fascinating stories of travelling with Sri Chinmoy, in these early days.

Sushumna wrote a couple of short books about her experiences with Sri Chinmoy. They were written with her characteristic modesty and simplicity, but also contained interesting anecdotes and illumining experiences of the spiritual life.

This is a short extract from her book: Things My Guru Taught Me by Sushumna Mary Plumbly

It was on a sunny summer day at the little Sri Chinmoy Centre in Brighton that I received my spiritual name. The Master placed his hands on my head and spelled it out: S-U-S-H-U-M-N-A. Sushumna. I felt again that spiritual joy that I had experienced the first time I saw Sri Chinmoy. A little voice from deep inside said, "Yes, that's right, that's me." Another, more worldly voice said, "Oh heavens! I'll never remember it." I spent the rest of the day in a rosy glow, and on going to bed that night attempted to repeat it one hundred times, as advised. I think I fell asleep after ten! (p23-24)

In her book, Sushumna also writes about the meaning of her name. -  'Sushumna is the channel through which the kundalini-power travels to reach the thousand petalled lotus in the crown'.  She also writes about the spiritual meaning of her name, as given by Sri Chinmoy, saying 'Sushumna relates to the longing to bring Heaven's Light and Love to earth.'

Related

• More extracts from Sushumna's book at Sri Chinmoy Centre

The Divine Enterprise was inaugurated in January 2013, in the centre  of Zurich. The name of the enterprise is  "The Sacred and Secret Way of Amazing Strength" which had  been given by Sri Chinmoy himself some 12 years ago. Abarita Dänzer,  owner of the "Secrets of Perfection-Flames" (Tofu Factory) took over a  former vegan bakery and take-away, and transformed it into a Vegelateria. A unique new ice-cream parlour,  where you can get more than 20 different ice creams, all vegan and  without conventional sugar. The local newspapers as well as the vegan  community are happy about the new place which for the moment holds only  10 seats in additional to the Take-Away. From Monday through Saturday  Pradatta Schrottenholzer and his helpers also offer hot meals, a daily  soup, salads and drinks. Abaraita plans to enlarge to 25 and later to 75  seats as soon as the needed requirements from the Health Authorities  are fulfilled. Also planned are regular monthly exhibitions and events  covering subjects such as health, nutrition, meditation, consciousness  and awareness.

- Kedar Misani

"Music is the mother tongue of humanity. God is the Supreme Musician. It is through music that we can enter into the universal harmony. It is through music that God’s Beauty is being manifested in His all loving Creation."

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

• Live Streaming channel at Radio Sri Chinmoy

[1] Sri Chinmoy, The Vedas: Immortality's First Call, Agni Press, 1972.

The weightlifting equipment includes standard weightlifting machines, such as calf-raises, wrist curls and bench presses. However, it also includes some of Sri Chinmoy's innovative and new types of lift. In particular, Sri Chinmoy lifted many people overhead from a seated position, in a specially constructed apparatus. This was part of the 'Lifting up the world with a Oneness-Heart' programme.

A lift which honoured over 7,000 individuals from all walks of life, including Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and other dignitaries, sportsmen and musicians. See more at: Lifting up the World at Inspiration Lifts.

During the week long exhibition, there have also been several evening functions, including meditation classes. Sri Chinmoy was a great advocate of meditation and ascribed his unique weightlifting capacities to the inner strength and grace received through prayer and meditation.

Other photos from event

"The invisible faith Is often visible To our heart's warrior-strength."

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

• Challenging Impossibility.co.uk
• Exhibition in Czech republic

[1] Sri Chinmoy, Twenty-Seven Thousand Aspiration-Plants, Part 195, Agni Press, 1993.

The initial curiosity – the captivating question 'how will it feel?' – gave way to calm certainty and the joy of silence – a silence in which I can now dive every day. This state of being is infinitely more exciting and fulfilling than I had ever imagined.

- Apaga Renner

Coming to his path has truly been the most beautiful, profound and enduring thing ever to happen to me. I may not be rich, or great, or famous, but I can sincerely say that I am truly happy.

- Abhinandan

What really appealed to me was the combination of a profound and soulful inner life with a dynamic and versatile outer life.

- A quest for happiness by Abhinabha

There were many speakers at the ceremony. A representative of Bishop of Dili opened the proceedings. The World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award was presented to the current Prime Minister, H.E. Xanana Gusmão, and Timor-Leste's first Prime Minister, H.E. Mari Alkatiri.

There was a very nice moment where Mr Gusmão, ran from the entrance the entrance with the Torch, and passed it to Dr Alkatiri, who in turn ran up the steps of the parliament and gave it to the President, H.E. Taur Matan Ruak.

A choir of Sri Chinmoy's students sang a song Sri Chinmoy had written in honour of East Timor, and also his song and 'A New World of Peace'. The President then cut the ribbon to inaugurate the statue.

A light moment between the current and former Prime Ministers.

Photos: Agragati Siegel and Husiar Johannsen.

Further reading:

• A report of the ceremony on the World Harmony Run website
• Sri Chinmoy in Timor-Leste a video from 2004

In 1970, then Secretary-General U Thant invited Sri Chinmoy to conduct twice-weekly non-denominational peace meditations for delegates and staff at the United Nations. The singers included current and past UN workers, and have been performing Sri Chinmoy's songs for many years at the United Nations and around the world.

The event also included videos of World Interfaith Harmony week celebrations around the world, a symphony of peace prayers, and a World Peace Flag ceremony.

Further reading:

• United for a Culture of Peace - official site
• Webcast on UN TV

• Temple-Song-Hearts XII at Radio Sri Chinmoy

Other recent recordings at Radio Sri Chinmoy by members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre include:

• A recording by Sharanagata, Ashar Age Dibo Tomai with musical accompianement by his family
• A short conversation with Jogyata Dallas about a humorous story with a new member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre.

The video was recorded and produced by Kedar Misani of Sri Chinmoy TV.

Music is inspiration, soulful inspiration. It inspires the human in us. Music is manifestation, fruitful manifestation. It manifests the divine in us. Music is satisfaction, supreme satisfaction. It satisfies the Pilot Supreme in us. (The Vision-Sky of California)

Recent recordings at Radio Sri Chinmoy, include:

• Paramanande - An album of Sri Chinmoy’s songs performed by the talented Achenbach family from Vienna. Using Western classical instruments, they offer a soulful instrumental performance of Sri Chinmoy's music.
• Songs of Peace and Light A selection of songs and arrangements from a recent concert in the Christ Lutheran church in New York. Performed and directed by Paree Atkins.
• Endless Energy, sleepless speed Songs for the inner runner. Songs of dynamism, arranged by Premik and vocals performed by Satisfaction-Cry and Lotus Groves.

A Guided meditation by Kaivalya. Sri Chinmoy's student give many meditation classes. Guided meditations are a popular exercise during these classes. This is a simple breathing exercise.

These stories gave a glimpse into the diverse experience of being a student of Sri Chinmoy, and how it can open up a new world of possibilities. It is also interesting to see how people from all walks of life can be drawn together by the common goal of seeking a deeper meaning to life.

"A seeker is he who fulfils his soulful promises both to Heaven and to earth. His self-giving role fulfils his promise to Heaven, His self-ascending role fulfils his promise to earth. To give is to become. To ascend is to become. He gives what he has and what he is, and eventually he sees and grows into the universal Reality."

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

We hope you enjoy these short stories, photos and listings; we will be adding more over the next few months.

• Stories at Sri Chinmoy Centre.
• First Steps at Sri Chinmoy Centre

[1] Sri Chinmoy, Simplicity, Sincerity, Purity And Divinity, Agni Press, 1987.

The Indonesian island of Bintan, a short ferry ride from Singapore, is the kind of palm-lined tropical paradise where many people (including some Australians and many Singaporeans) can escape from the busy urban world. For the bulk of Sri Chinmoy's students, who prefer their travels to be exciting rather than restful, it might not seem to be the most obvious destination. While the island is charming, and the people are sweet and friendly, it is not clearly immersed in spirituality like Bali, or the site of brilliant landmarks like Yangon. However, like Pangkor Island, the relaxing world of Bintan is perhaps an ideal Christmas Trip location. Directly outside the hotel, there is little to distract us from the reason that we are there: not as tourists, but as spiritual aspirants, fortunate to be on a dynamic and versatile Path of the Heart.

Mind you, within the resort, there is plenty to keep us busy. Beautiful running trails, surrounded by green forest. Energetic beach activities. A buffet restaurant serving a variety of dishes on par with some of the best food from any Christmas Trip. In case we find ourselves indulging in the meals too much – a perfectly reasonable vice – we are lucky in that we enjoy sporting activities more than other spiritual people.

The evenings, as always, offered theatrical productions of spiritual stories, a highlight of which was a 20-minute dramatisation by Abhinabha (from the Netherlands) of Sri Chinmoy’s story The Scholar and the Thief. Theatre people often suffer for their art, and Abhinabha was no exception, dislocating his shoulder during a particularly vigorous rehearsal the night before. Fortunately, as one of the cast, I can honestly say that it was all worth it. (Then again, I didn’t dislocate my shoulder.) The night had already delivered a few surprises in the play-world, with Satyakarma’s short play starting with the usual craziness, then ascending to become perhaps the most soulful play of the night.

However many hundreds of plays have now been performed at Christmas Trips, there is no end to the embellishments of Sri Chinmoy’s tales. This was never more obvious than on Improv Night, organised by Sadadand, in which the entire audience was split into teams and given 20 minutes to perform one of Guru’s stories, with certain rules (such as the presence of the line “We all live in a yellow submarine”... well, naturally). Some of the results -- such as a girls’ play that was mostly a cross between a dream sequence and a Russian ballet, and another in which Susebika (Auckland) hilariously interrupted the story by dancing around and cheerfully repeating “We all live in a yellow submarine!” for no discernible reason (apart from the rules) -- had to be seen to be believed. In fact, I saw them, and I’m still not convinced I believe them. But despite (or because of) the lack of preparation time, pure entertainment was the order of the evening.

Also in Bintan, Hridayinee gave a soulful (but regal) performance in her own play, Grahak added another pirate play to their continuing adventures, and Prachar gave a talk (not a play) in which he named three things that he has learned on Guru’s Path… but the first of those was “I know nothing”, so we can’t be sure about the rest.

As I write this, we still have a few days to enjoy Bintan – though for the next two days, most students will be across the water in Singapore for the World Harmony Run and the Music of the Heart concert. For now, we enjoy the sunshine and greenery of a meditative paradise, with the smiles of the Indonesian people to make us feel at home.

Recently, he has performed in Japan, in areas affected by the devastating tsunami, and in orphanages in Vietnam. This last journey was to St. Petersburg, Russia, where he played at the Raisa Maximova Gorbachev oncology clinic.

Vlado said of the experience:

"It was great to be able to put a smile on the faces of so severely ill children.  "The most difficult visits were with children in their rooms. These children are hospitalized in their rooms because their illness is most severe and the most difficult cases. But all children promised to me that they will meet with me in the future - right in the theater, to participate in the entertaining fun program.”

The Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles - is a humanitarian organisation founded by Sri Chinmoy. It often offers aid and friendship to people around the world, who have been affected by poverty and natural disasters.

Contributors: Ashish Zubaty, Vladimir Kulisek (photos), Tejvan Pettiner (editing