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“If I can inspire anybody in this world, then I feel that my life is meaningful. With my weightlifting, I am offering my physical strength to inspire people.” [1]

Sri Chinmoy's weightlifting apparatus, included many unorthodox lifts. He wished to change the boundaries of weightlifting and introduce new challenges.

From the very beginning of my weightlifting career, I have tried to do new things. Why should I go on always with the old system as if that is the only way? I feel that people who come to break the traditional barriers are the ones who are the real heroes.”  -  Sri Chinmoy [2]

The exhibition includes two free screenings of the film - Challenging Impossibility.

• Photos from Prague Expo
• Sri Chinmoy at zvedanisveta.cz
• Inspiration Lifts

[1] New Zealand Fitness, Feb/March 2006 issue (No.77). Full article reprinted here:

[2] A Mystic Journey in the Weightlifting World

The Joy-Days were created by Sri Chinmoy's as a means to share the joys of the spiritual life and to be able to experience the power of group meditation.

Aside from the regular meditations there were many recreational activities, such as waterskiing, golfing, horseback riding and archery. The evenings were reserved for enlightening and entertaining program items, like music, theatre and inspirational video's. In the morning a 5K race was organized around Lake Mondsee.

A professional magician's act

Humourous skits

Running together is always a joy!

Samunnati breaks the tape in the Edinburgh marathon

Samunnati says that Sri Chinmoy inspires her in her running career. His philosophy of self-transcendence and going beyond one's own preconceived limitations is a source of constant satisfaction to her. Sri Chinmoy encouraged his students to stay physically fit by running. Samunnati feels that the spiritual energy she receives from her daily meditation helps her in her running life. As Sri Chinmoy writes, "Through prayer and meditation we can develop intense will-power, and this will-power can help us do extremely well in our outer running."

During the race members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Edinburg cheered her on. In the evening they celebrated her victory at their Sunday night meditation.

Samunnati (centre) with the trophy and the runners-up

Hemabha also organizes the Korean leg of the World Harmony Run.

Hemabha presents the Peace Torch to a school director in Korea

•  Sri Chinmoy Centre of Seoul

The boys from Kathmandu enjoying the sun

At the Joy-Day there were also four disciples from Bangladesh, which is Sri Chinmoy's land of birth. One of these students is doing her PhD thesis on Sri Chinmoy's poetry.

Sri Chinmoy's statue at Nagarkot

Related

More photos of Sri Chinmoy statue in Nepal

Music from Nepal - report about Songs of the Soul concert in Kathmandu.

Ananda's group members are male students of Sri Chinmoy living in the UK and Ireland. The group creates haunting and soul-stirring arrangements of Sri Chinmoy's soulful and meditative songs and just released their fourth album.

Apart from their concerts, they also gave a series of lectures on meditation and spirituality in five of the cities they visited.

The group members

According to Jayasalini the 6 Day Race is an opportunity to develop faith, willpower and the necessity of competing only with oneself.

Our philosophy Is progress. In our self-transcendence Is our tremendous joy.

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

Jayaslini lectured in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. About 100 spiritual seekers attended her classes.

Jayasalini poses with members from the Sri Chinmoy Centres in Brazil

[1] Sri Chinmoy, Excerpt from Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, Part 13

In Groningen, The Netherlands (right) 140 school children released balloons with wishes for peace attached to them.

God's Forgiveness finds me No matter where I am. God's Compassion takes me Where I ought to go.

- Sri Chinmoy

• Selected 207 Flower-Flames
• A commentary on 10,000 Flower Flames by Dr Vidagdha Bennett

On a recent visit to Myanmar, a Buddhist country, they offered songs composed by Sri Chinmoy dedicated to the Lord Buddha.

On a previous tour in Iceland, they includes songs about the Saviour Christ. This group sings the songs of Sri Chinmoy without harmony or accompaniment – but just concentrating on the purity, beauty, simplicity, and immediacy of word and melody.

• Visit Oneness Dream
• In Vastness Peace - Sri Chinmoy

[1. Sri Chinmoy Answers Part 27]

"...I began writing down a few memories several years ago, and after Sri Chinmoy's passing in 2007, wondered about joining them together in a book. This was partly in the hope of telling the story to others who may find it interesting or inspiring, and partly for my own sake so I

did not forget my experiences.

It has taken three years to write in earnest and to find a publisher, so today is the culmination of a long but rewarding journey. This has been a significant part of my own sadhana during this time: a spiritual discipline, and a creative outlet. Overall it has been a way to offer my gratitude to Sri Chinmoy for the countless ways he has led me to a happier and more conscious life..."

• Auspicious Good Fortune at Amazon.com
• Auspicious Good Fortune at Sumangali.org

• At the Feet of My Master - Pradhan
• Eat My Dust - Kalatit Baker

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• History of Event
• Photos by Prabhakar

As well as information and techniques on meditation, the evening also featured soulful musical performances which brought the listener directly into the vastness and peace of meditation. Many of the musicians had arrived from all corners of the world to attend the anniversary celebration's of Sri Chinmoy's arrival in the west on April 13, 1964.

Also performing were Paree's International Group, which have been singing Sri Chinmoy's songs acappella for over 20 years.

The concert concluded with a powerful and soulful performance by British group Ananda, with the help of international guests including Premik Russell Tubbs on flute and Adesh Widmer on sitar.

The event was attended by many dignitaries and ambassadors from around the world. It also offered an opportunity for the Run to honour individuals and groups who have worked tirelessly for peace in their own way. For example, the World Harmony Run Torch Bearer award was given to the people of Japan for thir stoicism, courage, cheerfulness in coping with the ordeal of the earthquake and tsunami last year.

The runners will now embark on a journey across all 48 continental states (with local events in Alaska and Hawaii) which will end in August.

For the full event report, visit the World Harmony Run site...

(Left) Hemabha from Korea celebrates her birthday. (Right) some of the afternoon games.

There are now plans for the first Asian Joy Day later on this year.

Among the events was a tree planting ceremony attended by officials from the nearby Parks Department, accompanied by a plaque with quotes from Sri Chinmoy and the United Nations Declaration.

Later on, members and friends of the Sri Chinmoy Centre met together for an evening of japa (meditative chanting).

After 20 years in business, the Edinburgh store has just moved to a new City Centre location in Queensferry Street. This follows on from a major renovation of the London store 18 months ago.

To mark the opening, there was a small ceremony attended by many Scottish athletics luminaries.

More information: Run and Become blog

The run was also greeted by the Mayor of Cambridge who supported the Run's hope to promote peace and harmony.

In Oxford, the run visited two schools and also found time to visit Mark Williams and his team of researchers at Warneford hospital. Mark Williams heads a 'mindfulness clinic' which has researched the benefits of meditation in helping to cure persistent depression. The successful research has led to mindfulness being prescribed as a treatment on the National Health Service.

Mike Williams was awarded a 'Harmony Torch bearer award' for his contribution in empowering people to overcome depression.

In Oxford, there was also a visit to Harcourt Arboretum, where a Peace Tree was planted to leave a lasting legacy for peace.

"The flower of the life-tree is wisdom. The fruit of the life-tree is peace."

- Sri Chinmoy

Planting an English Oak, dedicated to peace.

• More photos of Cambridge World Harmony Run
• More Photos of Oxford World Harmony Run

The run then continued on to Scotland and the UK where they have been running through some beautiful scenery on their way to London

The Asia-Pacific run began on March 5 with an opening ceremony in Auckland's central square

On March 19, the runners crossed from New Zealand to Australia, with a welcoming ceremony for the runners in Adelaide which included representatives from 25 countries releasing 25 doves to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Harmony Run