Latest news and features

We all have a common objective, and that is what this art represents. I just love the titles of these art works. We all have a responsibility to further what Sri Chinmoy is giving us here. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to carry out this responsibility here in our city.” He was also awarded the Peace Run Torchbearer Award.

Classes and workshops were held in Normal Heights at the Pilgrimage Yoga studio and the Jyoti-Bihanga classroom annex and featured the Sri Chinmoy Bhajan singers and lectures from Sujantra, Vasudha and Ashirvad.

A disciple art gallery was organized and offered by Papaha at his permanent studio in Normal Heights and featured artwork by Khipra, Olivia and Uhaina, Kaivalya, Jeff Steorts, Banalata and others.

The Songs Of The Soul concert event was offered to the public in the Catamaran Hotel in Pacific Beach and featured international singers, Sahadeva’s group, Canadian girls, Sangit Desh, New York singers, as well as Sujantra’s Indian tabla teacher performing with disciples. The stage featured a picture of Guru and Ravi Shankar, who lived in San Diego and recently passed away, as well as artwork by Papaha.

The Peace Park and Sri Chinmoy Statue were inaugurated on land offered by a neighborhood resident who has been a customer of Jyoti-Bihanga restaurant for many years and who has participated in our Los Angeles Masters Track & Field events. The ceremony opened with a live flute performance by Premik, and featured a talk by Nripal on Thomas Jefferson and his interest in the West, including California. Kaivalya who travelled all the way from London to be in attendance, spoke about his sculpture and of himself as a humble instrument of the Master.

The event was organized by Papaha, who has been involved with the local community for nearly 30 years and helped coordinate the design and implementation of the garden. Also in attendance were Mahasamrat Bill Pearl and his wife Bhavatarini Judy Pearl. The landscape design was made by Papaha’s childhood friend, who actively participated in all aspects of the project. Dozens of disciples worked for days during the trip to fulfill his design vision.

Challenging Impossibility and Ocean Monk, films by Sanjay and Natabara, were screened for the public at the Catamaran hotel, with a question and answer session following the movies featuring Mahasamrat (four time Mr. Universe), Bhavatarini and Frank Zane (three-time Mr. Olympia).

Text and photos from Agragati

I enjoy peace Only when I am not afraid Of changing my stubborn mind.

Sri Chinmoy (Peace-Blossom-Fragrance, Part 1, Agni Press, 1994. )

See also:

• Quotes on Peace by Sri Chinmoy
• Oslo Peace Talk at Sri Chinmoy TV - and other related videos

"On the eve of the New Year, a new consciousness dawns on earth. God once again inspires each human being, each creature, with new hope, new light, new peace and new joy. God says, "The New Year dawns and a new consciousness dawns within you. Run toward the destined Goal." We listen to God, to the dictates of our Inner Pilot, and we run toward the ultimate Reality. The New Year energises us, encourages us and inspires us to run toward that ultimate Goal.

When the New Year dawns, we have to make ourselves conscious of the fact that we have to transcend ourselves this year. We have to go beyond our present capacity, beyond our present achievement. When we have that kind of firm determination, God showers His choicest Blessings upon us."

- Sri Chinmoy, The Outer and the Inner Running

Loaded with training tips, anecdotes and race stories, this book takes you on the journey from Grahak's first race in 2007 as a multiday novice to his ultimate victory in 2012.

The Self- Transcendence 3100 Mile Race is held every year on a concrete footpath around an 883-metre block in Queens, New York. The race was founded in 1997 by fitness guru Sri Chinmoy as a testament to the endless possibilities of the human spirit.

A quote from the book cover: "Competitors must contend with boredom, fatigue, torrential deluges, extreme pain, injuries and sleep deprivation—but most of all, they have to deal with themselves. Outwardly for their efforts they will receive a plastic trophy and a t-shirt; inwardly, they make a lifetime of progress."

In their repertoire, they have recorded several songs, composed by Sri Chinmoy about the Saviour Jesus Christ. Some songs are based on quotations from the Bible, others songs are dedicated to Jesus Christ - either in Bengali or English.

• View: The Kingdom of Heaven - Christ Songs at Radio Sri Chinmoy.

Sri Chinmoy said of the Saviour Christ:

Other Albums featuring songs about Jesus Christ

• Harmonia Coeli - Mountain Silence
• Be Thou My All - Mountain Silence

• Jesus Christ the Saviour - songbook at Sri Chinmoy Songs
• Selected Writings on Jesus Christ at Sri Chinmoy Library

References

[1] Excerpt from World-Destruction: Never, Impossible! Part 1 by Sri Chinmoy.

The old record was 247.21 km, set back in 1985 by Englishman, Dave Cooper. Martin described the conditions in Taiwan as the worst in which he has ever run – 23 hours of rain out of the 24, with really strong winds and an inch of water covering the track for much of the race.

One of his toughest moments was around the 15-hour point. “I could see my lap times getting slower and slower and my heart was starting to sink with the thought of enduring this for another 9 hours or so,” he later wrote. “As so often happens, this state of self-centredness was dissolved by the sight of a rain-soaked runner in Lane 2 who had his head down and was dragging one of his legs along the track surface.” This was 28-year-old Malaysian runner Cheng Zhee Long, who suffers from cerebral palsy. “The presence of his humble determination hit me like a tidal wave.” Martin recalled. Ultimately, he says he had one of his best ever races, with his consciousness always focused and clear.

“A period of reflection after the race made me realise that it wasn’t so much the achievement that gave me the joy,” he wrote, “but rather the whole process of being immersed in this wonderful, collective human consciousness embodying spirit, aspiration and joy.”

A few months later, after meeting Ravi Shankar in October 2002, Sri Chinmoy said of Ravi Shankar:

“Each time you play, you unreservedly inspire us to drink deep Nectar-Delight far beyond this world.” (Anahata Nada)

During this October meeting in PS86, Queens, New York, Sri Chinmoy and his students performed for Ravi Shankar and his wife Sukanya. This included the powerful vocal Ravi Shankar Song. Sri Chinmoy also played on a new esraj-like instrument.

Ravi Shankar later blessed and named the instrument “Chinmoy Beena”. There were also several musical performances by Sri Chinmoy’s students. The following evening Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka, reciprocated, performing a special concert for Sri Chinmoy his students and invited guests under a huge tent at Aspiration-Ground.  Recording at Radio Sri Chinmoy - Pranati Obeisance.

After Sri Chinmoy's mahasamadhi, Ravi Shankar said of his dear friend.

“It is such a shock and I cannot believe that brother Chinmoy is gone and that we would not see or hear him anymore. He had so much love for everyone. I am going to miss him always. I wish his soul to find ultimate peace in Heaven” (www.srichinmoy.org)

These stories of goodness, love and forgiveness by Sri Chinmoy are written from the heart and for the heart; they will be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Many of these stories tell about a rich variety of characters who lived in ancient India; stories which have been told and retold from time immemorial. Others are placed in the present time or a timeless world. Whatever the time period, they provide an entertaining and enlightening perspective on life.

• New Stories at Czech Sri Chinmoy Centre (in Czech)
• Inspiration Sounds at Radio Sri Chinmoy - Spoken stories in English.
• Stories and Tales at Write Spirit

The Australian Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has gained a reputation as one of the country's best organisers of race events.

Related Links

• Race report
• Full results for all races
• Photo album from around the transition and finish area.

The latest edition features an interview with Channel Swimmer Vasanti Niemz from Heidelberg, a visit to an orphanage in Vietnam, a dedication of a statue for World Harmony in Cardiff, and an athletics events from Russia.

Inspiration News is inspired by Sri Chinmoy, who promoted many initiatives for world peace and world harmony. This episode includes recent projects inspired by this vision - such as the World Peace Dreamer statue of Sri Chinmoy in Cardiff Bay (photo above).

The presenter of Inspiration News is Utpal Marshall from Queens, New York.

View: Inspiration News at Sri Chinmoy TV

Young Vietnamese children join in the run.

Here are some of the senior citizens who honored us by attending.

On the 7th November, the team went to visit the world renowned beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Sri Chinmoy hoped the Peace Run, would help spread the ideals of peace and harmony throughout the world. He wrote:

“This world of ours has everything except one thing: peace. Everybody wants and needs peace, whether he be a child or an octogenarian.”

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

World-peace
Can be achieved
When the power of love
Replaces
The love of power.

- Sri Chinmoy [2]

Further Reading

• World Harmony Run in Vietnam

[1] Sri Chinmoy, Eastern Light For The Western Mind, Agni Press, 1973

[2]  Sri Chinmoy, 1997, Peace-Lovers, AUM publications

Sri Chinmoy wrote on the power of spiritual music to uplift the human spirit.

"A seeker-singer feels that if he has no music, his heart is soulless. If he has no music, his life is useless. If he has no music, his goal is worthless. Why, why, why? Because music is the oneness-aspiration of humanity."

- Sri Chinmoy

Acapella singers

.

• Hungary Songs of the Soul Concert

references

[1] Sound and Silence part 2 by Sri Chinmoy

Vasanti (right) and her assistant Albena hold the Peace Torch after a succesful crossing.

Vasanti Niemz, a two time English Channel swimmer and ultra-triathlete from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Germany, has recently swum across the Gibraltar Straits, the body of water separating Spain from Morocco. Vasanti completed the 14K (8.7 mile) swim under favourable conditions in 5 hours and 25 minutes. She was assisted by Albena Margaritowa from Edinburgh. Vasanti's Gibraltar crossing was a dream come true. She dedicated the swim to the 25th anniversary of the World Harmony Run, a global Torch relay for peace founded by Sri Chinmoy.

The swim bridged the continents of Europe and Africa

This project have been organized by Permanent Mission of the People's  Republic of Bangladesh, Jharna-Kala Art Foundation and the NGO organization  - Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations.

Archbishop Demond Tutu

'Jharna Kala' paintings at the United Nations.

Musical performances accompanied the art.

(Photos by Bashwar)

Earlier editions of the event have been held in Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand.

Related links

• Photos of the event at NBC Photoblog
• Videos at challengingimpossibility.hu

Recent Releases by Sri Chinmoy

• The Meaning of Discipleship Today - a talk by Sri Chinmoy on the meaning of being a disciple.
• My Heart-Boat Sails - a recording of Sri Chinmoy's piano and organ music.
• Ascendant Journey - Sri Chinmoy's spoken word over meditative music - helpful for creating meditative atmosphere.

Recent Releases by Students of Sri Chinmoy

• Silence & Sound Rageshri and Kushali - haunting music from these talented musicians.
• Meditative classic - Minati's group - Beautiful music for meditation by female musical group from Germany.
• August Celebrations 2012 - Various recordings by members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre.

Music has the power to positively change and enrich our world and Sri Chinmoy’s songs  are all unified by the recurring spiritual themes of inner peace, self-mastery, the quest for God-discovery -  he saw music as a powerful way of uplifting and inspiring humanity, a universal language uniting people together as a oneness-world family.  In the concert program Sri Chinmoy’s own words describe this:

 “When we listen to soulful music, or when we ourselves play soulful music, immediately our inner existence climbs up high, higher, highest………A river is flowing through us, a river of consciousness, and this consciousness is all the time illumined.”

A well received feature of the ‘Music of the Heart’ concert was its audience involvement – it invited concert-goers to bring their own meditative peacefulness to the evening, and to feel that both musicians and audience together could co-create an atmosphere of tranquility and joy.

“Put aside the thoughts of the day” the concert program encouraged, “ and let the mind be wide and empty like a summer sky; concentrate for a few minutes on the calm rhythm of the breath, breathing deeply into the heart. Feel the music in your spiritual heart like a river of consciousness flowing in and through you.”

The Music of the Heart tour party then went on to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and very successful concerts there. Commented one audience member: “ Some of the music, especially the women singing a cappella style, really touched my heart. It was a doorway into a forgotten part of myself, an unremembered inner space, and I found myself hoping the music would never end.”