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Their new album available at Radio Sri Chinmoy - 'In Ecstasy-Sea'

Previous albums by Blue Flower

O Beauty-Infinity (2005)

Blossoming (2007)

Petals of My Dreaming-Heart (2009)

Members of Blue Flower include

• Keyboard – Eshana, Uchita; Harmonium, Eshana, Uchita; Guitar – Kulesvari; Cello – Chintamani; Metalophone – Kamaneeya; Drum – Svetlana; Flute – Rathika; Percussions – Martina, Prasatti; Voices – Celana, Chintamani, Eshana, Kamaneeya, Kulesvari, Martina, Prakashita, Prasatti, Purupriya, Ratkhika, Svetlana, Uchita, Viniyogaha.

Related

• Blue Flower at Radio Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy was a spiritual Teacher who, in his own words, was 'A student of peace.' During his time in the West, Sri Chinmoy gave many talks on the subject of peace, and also offered Peace Concerts around the world.

In addition to teaching meditation, prayer and devotional music, Sri Chinmoy also believes that peace can be spread through dynamism and sport. To this end he founded the "Sri Chinmoy Peace Run" a grassroots initiative to run around the world, meeting people and seeking to cultivate the ideals of peace, friendship and harmony.

The talks are offered in a way for people to find out about Sri Chinmoy and his philosophy of peace.

Related

• 40 Peace Talks
• Supporters of Peace Run - article in local paper

The region is still recovering from the effects of the recent earthquake, but the locals willingly embraced the run as a symbol of hope for a better future.

This is in Khumjung village - 4,000m above sea level, near Mount Everest. There is a statue in memory of Sir Edmund Hillary, who with Sherpa Tensing, was the first to climb Mount Everest in 1953.

Schools welcome the Peace Run and message of harmony and understanding. This is at a school assembly in Nagarkot.

The beauty of the Himalayan mountains.

“Lasting peace must begin within the depths of the individual, and from there spread in ever-widening circles as a dynamic force for world change.”

– Sri Chinmoy

Related

• More at Nepal Peace Run.org

In around 2003, Sri Chinmoy was at a function in Paris. In passing, he mentioned he would be very happy if the British centres held a triathlon. To many at the event, this brief comment was soon forgotten, lost in the intensity of spending a few hours with Sri Chinmoy. That weekend, Sri Chinmoy spoke about many things, and there was a vortex of spiritual activities and energy so it was easy to forget a short comment such as that.

However, the talk of a triathlon stirred something in the mind of Garga and he became determined to see the vision of a British triathlon manifest in reality. A few years later, a joy day with students of Sri Chinmoy morphed into a trial triathlon where the only competitors were members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre. We had a 100m swim in a local pool, before a leisurely breakfast and then a move to quiet Cambridge road to have a bit of a cycle. After this brief foray into the world of cycling we retired for a typically English summer lunch of Cucumber sandwiches and generous portions of cake. Those not too weighed down by mid-day lunch completed the very relaxed approach to a triathlon with a 2 mile run around Parker’s Piece. The Ironman, this triathlon was not, though technically we did manage swim, cycle run.

It was a bit of fun, but there wasn’t so much enthusiasm to organise a proper triathlon. It seemed quite a step into the unknown and there were the practical difficulties of organising a large-scale multi-disciplined event in the cool climate of the UK. However, Garga’s persistence saw the birth of a triathlon in the village of Portishead a few miles from Bristol. There is a saying ‘where there is a will there is a way’ and this is particularly true for the spiritual life, with enthusiasm and willingness practical difficulties can be overcome.

The first triathlon was not all plain sailing - cold, wet and windy. But, it exceeded expectations and with the first one done, everyone gained confidence. The Sri Chinmoy Tri a Triathlon has emerged as a popular event for both competitors and organisers. Competitors have been generous in praise of the cheerful encouragement from all the volunteers who take part in the event.

A few years after organising the first triathlon, Garga had a near-fatal heart attack, yet he took this not as a reason to retire and take it easy, but as an unexpected ‘rebirth’ and he continues to organise and promote triathlons with undimmed enthusiasm. You wouldn't notice from his calm demeanour during the hectic weekend of the event that he was once at death's door. In fact, he has set up other duathlon events, which help to get people interested in the multi-discipline sport.

The Tri a Triathlon has given quite a few competitors the chance to gain the joy and satisfaction from their first steps at self-transcendence in the triathlon world.

Speaking about the event Garga Chamberlain states:

"I organise the Try-a-Tri for two reasons. Firstly it was Sri Chinmoy's asking the question that made me think, why not? We could do that! Secondly I get so much enjoyment from racing myself, especially multi sport events, that I wanted to share that joy with other people.

There's a special energy that you feel at beginners events, when everyone is taking a step into a new adventure , and that's what makes the Try-a-Tri so unique.

I'm always inspired by all my clubmates from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and triathlon club who come along to help at the race. Some travel from the other end of the country, or even from abroad, to offer help and encouragement to the new triathletes taking part in their first event. We've been serving the running community here in the UK for over 30 years and now we're doing it in the world of triathlon too."

Video from triathlon

It's not always as sunny as this. But in 2016, the weather was very kind.

 

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Sri Chinmoy spoke on the importance of triathlons and why he encouraged his students to organise them.

"I encourage and inspire my students to organise and participate in triathlons, long-distance races and short-distance races precisely because I feel that the world needs dynamism. The outer world needs dynamism and the inner world needs peace. "

- Sri Chinmoy, The outer running and the inner running.

Related Video

Related

• Tri a Triathlon at Sri Chinmoy Races

"Although you have got the supreme honour from all over the world, you have maintained your humility; that is why you will always remain greater than the greatest."

- Sri Chinmoy, 30 January 1979, UN Plaza Hotel

"You don’t have to say that you are the greatest, but your heart of oneness with all humanity makes you the greatest."

- Sri Chinmoy, 30 January 1979, UN Plaza Hotel

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Meeting 29 September, 1977

On the morning of his championship fight with Earnie Shavers on 29 September, 1977, Muhammad Ali met with Sri Chinmoy and members of the Meditation Group for an hour of prayer, meditation and discussion.  Sri Chinmoy garlanded the champion and presented him with a trophy, saying, “A long with this is my heart. My heart is inside this. ”

Later, Sri Chinmoy commented on this meeting:

Sri Chinmoy: I wish to say a few words about the world-champion, Muhammad Ali. Yesterday was a most significant day both for the members of the Meditation Group and for the champion, Muhammad Ali (Pointing to the two photographs, below:) "This is Muhammad Ali in his physical consciousness and this is Muhammad Ali in his soulful consciousness. Each individual has two aspects: the physical aspect and the spiritual aspect. This moment he expresses himself or reveals his capacities through physical means; the next moment he expresses his reality’s divinity through spiritual means. In this picture we see Muhammad Ali in a devoted, soulful, cheerful and powerful consciousness. Right beside it is another picture which brings forward his other aspect: physical strength."

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Several years ago, Sri Chinmoy honoured Muhammad Ali with a special "Lifting up the World with a Oneness-Heart". Muhammad Ali appreciated the spiritual and peaceful message of this initiative.

"Sri Chinmoy is a very spiritual man. I feel the reason Sri Chinmoy lifted this weight is because of his love of God and belief that through God all things are possible. This man has done the impossible because of faith, wisdom and love of God.

- Muhammad Ali.

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Amongst his many awards, in 2005, Ali received America's two highest civilian awards - the Presidential Citizens Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom - for "exemplary services" to the country.

In Britain, BBC viewers voted him Sports Personality of the Century, and he was given a similar award from Sports Illustrated in the US.

In 2005, he opened the non-profit Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, which promotes peace, social responsibility and respect.

Pushpendra wasn’t initially destined to become a travelling incense salesman. It was science that Pushpendra was initially drawn to as his father Rajinder Kumar was an industrial chemist, who arrived from India in 1958. Interestingly Rajinder didn’t really migrate to Australia by choice. Whilst furthering his studies to be a doctor in India, he was bitten by a dog and developed a Hydatid cyst infection which spread to his spine, a rare complication. Pushpendra’s grandfather, a doctor, contacted the World Health Organisation to find the best place for treatment for his eldest son. A call went out around the world for experts in this field and the answer came from Dr Samuel Fitzpatrick in Hamilton, Victoria. Sheep were commonly infected with the parasite and a doctor there had developed a treatment regime from treating sheep workers who contracted the disease. Through Rotary funding and after almost a year of hospital and rehabilitation Rajinder moved to Melbourne and obtained a job the next day. He eventually found an Aussie wife and had twins, Veeraja and Pushpendra. The then unusual mixed racial marriage was quickly embraced by the family back home in New Delhi at the prospect of bringing two bouncing twin boys into the fold.

Following in his father’s footsteps Pushpendra studied Science at university as did his brother, but with a love of India’s heritage and customs, incense was in his veins. He jumped at the chance to work selling incense products and the opportunities that come with it. “I generally visit stores which are there to better people. Health food stores, gift stores, book stores and so on. I get to travel all over the country and visit manufacturers overseas. It is a great job. I love it.”

Pushpendra has been in Western Australia for the last month, visiting customers in the South West, Great Southern, Metropolitan and Mid West regions. If you hire a car from the airport and it smells extremely nice, it was probably his and the remnants of the Japanese incense he sells still floating through the air. It is his favourite type as the Japanese are most renowned for their subtlety, purity and beautiful visual presentation of incense. “The Japanese have elevated the use of incense to a poetic and cultural dimension without equivalent in the world,” he said. “Each blend of incense has been created and refined over centuries and is made in strict accordance to the ancient traditional Japanese lore. The Japanese appreciate 'incense time' at Koh-do (Incense Ceremony) as we enjoy 'tea time' for relaxation, refreshment and communion with others.”

Incense of the World endeavours to support cottage industries on the sub-continent. It distributes products like paper journals from the Himalayas and Tibetan incense from a Buddhist Nunnery in Nepal. Their production provides important employment for low income families whilst preserving the age-old incense and paper-making techniques of past generations. Whilst the workshop was badly damaged, thankfully none of the incense workers or their family members were hurt in the recent earthquake.

“We enjoy giving back. Proceeds from incense and journal sales support the preservation and replantation of Lokta in Dolkha and Sindhupaichok, Nepal. We also give away aphorism cards by Sri Chinmoy which are found on the counters of many different stores in Australia and in many countries around the world.

These cards help touch people in a positive way.” To date over 1.3 million have been given out in Australia alone. With sayings like ‘You follow your heart’s love and your life’s happiness will follow you.’ they have a positive impact on whoever reads them. As do the fragrant blends that Pushpendra distributes throughout the nation. “Fragrances remind us of home, garden, friends, ceremonies, the memories of childhood,” he explains. “Without the sense of smell, our lives would be far less interesting. Incense aims to touch on that part of ourselves.”

The melodies of Sri Chinmoy which Monk Party play, aim to uplift and inspire the audience. Sri Chinmoy once said that “music will play a most important role in bringing about world oneness.” Nelson’s favourite instruments in fact come from right around the globe and are northern African and Arabic drums, flute and harmonium. Other instruments the group uses include darbuka, riq, cajón, frame drums, badhran, pennywhistle, nylon guitar, gongs, chakra bells and bansuri

flute. Their excess baggage bills are apparently huge!

Besides their own concerts, they have played at Diwali festivals, meditation classes and have had several radio interviews with the interviewers obviously interested in their music and spiritual lifestyle. In performances the audiences loved watching them play.

Monk Party has released three CD’s with the fourth set to hit the stands over the next few weeks. Monk Party’s arrangements also contain a modern ambience and dynamism which has made them more appealing to a wider

audience. The young people in our crowd were really inspired and were still raving about them months later at meditation classes. With their new CD set for release they are pretty inspired. “This album is the work of songs that we have been performing for the last year and a half. Each song has evolved in a very natural way, the arrangements are quite simple but we try to play the songs in a way that inspires people and brings forward peace and dynamism,” said Nelson. “We are very influenced by middle eastern music so on this album we have for the first time in our recordings the ‘oud’ which is a beautiful fretless instrument that captures the haunting aspect of Sri Chinmoy’s melodies and brings a new addition to our sound. We also have a wide range of percussion drums which are used in traditional music such as Spanish, Indian and Arabic music. Pragunya’s guitar playing in this CD gives the whole project the warmth, direction and feel which is interwoven within each melody. “In this album we hope to offer our love of music and touch people’s hearts with the devotional aspect of life.“ The oud was a predecessor of the sarod and it is really nice. One of the many instruments that they play in their set.

Original reporting by Grahak. Published Inspiration Sun, Issue #4.

In one of the largest bookstores in Bratislava, Slovakia, there was an event to mark a new translation of the popular book - 'The Jewels of Happiness' by Sri Chinmoy. The event was called “The Secret of Happiness” to honour the spirit of the International Day of Happiness.

A beautiful atmosphere was created by Agnikana’s muisc group. Before the event, each participant received a card with a quote about happiness

from the new card series “Be Happy.” During the program, the presenters talked about happiness and read excepts from the book.

Two videos were also shown: one about the book’s author, Sri Chinmoy, and the second video featured readings by Addwitya Roberta Flack

and Madhurima Judith Light on happiness.

Jharna Kala Exhibition.

In Iceland the international Day of Happiness was celebrated at an event at the UNESCO Literary House in Reykjavik. Bhikshuni, a student of Sri Chinmoy, was invited as a guest poet/speaker. Icelandic disciples under the direction of Suballabha also participated, performing three of Sri Chinmoy’s songs for the occasion, including an arrangement by Laufey of Sada Susanga.

Related

• Quotes on Happiness by Sri Chinmoy

Related articles

• A Quest for happiness - Article by Abhinabha

Mr. Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia received the Peace Run at his residency in Ljubljana. (4th May)

Throughout the run, the Peace Run visit local schools where the next generation of young people are able to participate in the event to promote peace and harmony in our daily lives.

A symbolic and meaningful meeting on a bridge between Croatia and Bosnia i Herzegovina. The meeting included members of the international team of Peace Runners, local dignitaries and local schoolchildren (9th May)

Over the next few weeks, the Run will visit Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania on its long journey to finishing in Rome, Italy towards the end of the year.

“This world of ours has everything save and except one thing: peace. And this peace has to start from within. If I have peace of mind, then only can I be of help to you. If you have peace of mind, then only can you be of help to me.”

– Sri Chinmoy

The Sri Chinmoy Peace Run does not seek to raise money or highlight any political cause; it seeks to offer a practical method to encourage people's heart-felt wish for peace in the world. You can follow the Peace Run at Peace Run.org

Related

• Peace Run at Sri Chinmoy.org

Freedom and Peace

During the last week of November all major bookstores in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan - in more than 150 cities - started selling a new compilation of Sri Chinmoy's writings, entitled “Freedom and Peace: About Yoga, Meditation and the Art of Living on Earth.” The book is a sort of introduction to the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, compiled by the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Moscow book. The book was published by one of the biggest publishing houses in Russia. The photo shows a presentation of the new book at the White Clouds bookstore in Moscow on January 15th.

On December 1st, the official Russian Sri Chinmoy Library site: www.srichinmoylibrary.ru was launched.

New translation of the Jewels of Happiness

In mid–March the Slovakian Sri Chinmoy Centre launched a new translation of The Jewels of Happiness in the largest bookstore in Bratislava, Slovakia. The event was called “The Secret of Happiness” to honour the spirit of the forthcoming International Day of Happiness.

The Garden of Love Light

Sri Chinmoy’s collection of Bengali songs The Garden of Love-Light was published in Bangladesh on January 30th with Bengali and English versions, both by Sri Chinmoy, on facing pages. The launch, which featured many prominent speakers including a TV presenter and respected author, was covered in newspapers and on TV. As part of the programme, Rintu Chakravarty sang a selection of the songs from the book. The book was on sale at the popular Dhaka Book Fair throughout the month of February.

Books by Sri Chinmoy's Students

Auspicious Good Fortune, a spiritual memoir by Sumangali Morhall which has been translated into several languages, is being released as an audio book.

“The book is beautifully written and well-crafted.... It gives a rare insight into the fascinating, conflicted life of a very modern spiritual seeker.... It is an extraordinary tale and highly recommended.” Kindred Spirit Magazine

Eat to Run is a new book by Stutisheel Lebedev, nine time finisher of the Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the world's longest race. The book talks about many of the experiences and discoveries Stutisheel had in getting the proper nutrition for the race.

A presentation on holistic nutrition took place in New York City at The Oneness-Fountain Heart Restaurant. Stutisheel shared his experience on how to develop effective nutrition for maximum performance in extreme sport, as well as in day-to-day life.

In 1986, Sri Chinmoy came to Battersea Park to found, with members of the London Council, the first Peace Mile.  The Peace Mile was the first of many 'Peace-Blossoms' - a place where runners could run a measured one mile loop at a location dedicated to peace. In the past 30 years, many thousands of Londoners have run and walked along this stretch of Battersea Park by the River Thames and the Buddhist Peace Pagoda.

At this event, children were introduced to the runners of the Peace Run and then ran the one mile race along the Peace Mile.

Other photos from the Peace Mile Celebration

  Related

• More photos and report from Peace Run

The runners will run in relay many kilometres across Europe.

An aphorism by Sri Chinmoy -

"Every day
We must try
To make at least one person
Happy."

Further reading

• Peace Run.org

"I left the lecture feeling a deep sense of peace and a joyful, exuberant feeling in my heart. This really was what I had been looking for" Abhinabha Tangerman, student of Sri Chinmoy's from Holland (from 1st story)

For more information, extracts and how to order - please view: On Sri Chinmoy's Sunlit Path"

Recent videos

• Grahak and Nirbhasa - talk about 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race
• Offering meditation classes in Amsterdam - Abhinabha
• Ratuja talks about doing a 6 Day race
• Conversations about meditation - Varunavi and Amaravati
• Pranlobha - A typical Day

The music was appreciated by those who attended the concert. After the event, some who attended the concert, offered comments on the music.

“Such a joy to hear young men sing with devotion to God”

“Thank you for such wonderful music, I now feel completely calm.”

“Magical and soulful. Thank you.”

The second concert was held at a venue in Cardiff.

“Music is psychic enlightenment. Music is the supreme fulfilment of the aspiring human soul.”

Sri Chinmoy,  [1. Sound and Silence, Part 2, Agni Press, 1982] Related

• Ananda at Radio Sri Chinmoy

Footnotes

“The excruciating pangs and universal pathos of music is the beauty of the earth-heart.

The transcendental music of liberating Light and immortalising Delight is the beauty of the Heaven-Soul.”

Sri Chinmoy, [1. God The Supreme Musician, Agni Press, 1976]

The performers  

Related

• Songs of the Soul Canada
• Songs of the Soul Tour - Canada 2015 report by Utpal Marshall at Perfection Journey

Bishwas Pollisar originally from Seattle, has grown up on Sri Chinmoy's path and now lives in New York. In this video he explains his role in building a new lifting apparatus for one of Sri Chinmoy's weightlifting exhibitions. View: Bishwas Pollisar speaking on lifting apparatus.

Preetiduta Thorpe from Auckland talks about some of her experiences as a student of Sri Chinmoy. View: Experiences of meditation

Tejvan Pettinger was a student at Oxford University, when he became interested in meditation. In this video, he talks about why he joined Sri Chinmoy's path.

Related

• Members of Sri Chinmoy Centre

The poems from Transcendence-Perfection express a range of different spiritual experiences and teachings.

Selections from Transcendence-Perfection

Beloved Lord Supreme,
Do You approve of
My self-transcendence song?

"My son, not only do I approve
But it is I who will
Sing in you,
Sing through you
My Eternity's Vision-Reality Song."

God-Lustre grows, glows
And reaches the Height
Of the ever transcending Beyond.
Ecstasy flows
And reaches the farthest corner
Of the Reality-globe.

- Sri Chinmoy, #644, Transcendence-Perfection, Agni Press, 1977

O my mind,
Let us go into the silence-room.
I assure you,
You will be happy,
You will be illumined,
You will be fulfilled.

O my mind,
Let us go into the silence-room.
It is the silence-room that can give you
What you have always wanted:
Peace, peace.

- Sri Chinmoy, #341, Transcendence-Perfection, Agni Press, 1977

Related

• Transcendence-Perfection at Sri Chinmoy Songs

Review

The book is well laid out, with excellent pictures and a feeling of simplicity and purity which is conducive to giving a good inspiration to our meditation. It is the kind of book which can be dipped into at regular intervals, allowing the reader to choose the exercises which appeal to them.

• 222 Meditation techniques at Amazon.com
• Buy online

Related

• Meditation at Sri Chinmoy Centre
• Guided meditation exercises - free audio downloads at Radio Sri Chinmoy

3100 Miles in under 41 days!

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• 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race
• Constant blessings - with video at Perfection Journey