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Other cities where Temple-Song-Hearts performed included Ostrava, Brno and Slovakian capital Bratislava. This was their 3rd tour in this country - there previous two visits were in 1996 and 2008.

Photos and reporting Ashish Zubaty.

• Temple-Song-Hearts XII at Radio Sri Chinmoy
• Temple Song Hearts website

Many of Sri Chinmoy's aphorisms have been placed at different locations within the park.

Paul Leblonde receives the Torch-Bearers Award, introduced by a board member of the Galiano Conservancy. Paul is a co-leader of the Galiano Trail Society.

• Report at Peace Run.org
• Tapovan Peace Park

Visit the race website to see the results, videos and reports all on the new home page - 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race

Also, see blogs by Utpal on the 3100 mile Self-Transcendence race

The Lord Mayor of Leeds and his wife Edna.

The plaque reads:

A world of peace and harmony has been humanity's dream since time immemorial. Today Leeds joins hundreds of communities throughout the world dedicated to the cause of peace and international friendship. Other such Peace Blossoms include the cities of Ottawa, Canberra, Auckland, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Reykavik and natural wonders such as the Niagara Falls and the Matterhorn.

A Sri Chinmoy Peace Blossom is a beacon of inspiration, to promote a strong sense of world family among people. It takes its name from Sri Chinmoy, an ambassador for peace who committed his life to the pursuit of world harmony. Leeds has long been home to people of many different cultures and believes. Through its status as a Nuclear Free Local Authority, it has worked to free the world of the the of nuclear annihilation. The peace loving people of Leeds are proud to honour our city's historic commitment to peace and join our vibrant and graceful city with the global family of Sri Chinmoy Peace Blossoms.

In dedicating Leeds as a Peace City on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, we register our hopes for the day when nations may work together in peace and people may live together in harmony.

Leeds City Council, United Nations Day, 24th October 1995.

"O dreamers of peace, come. Let us walk together. O lovers of peace, come. Let us run together. O servers of peace, come. Let us grow together.'

- Sri Chinmoy

- Sri Chinmoy (1)

Runners at the finish.

There were 53 entrants in the ten day race and 27 entrants in the Six Day race. All competitors were able to test their own capacities and seek to transcend their previous efforts. The winners of the races were:

• Male winner - Ashprihanal Aalto - 833  miles
• Female winner - Kaneenika Janakova -  727 miles

• Male winner - Eoin Keith - 500 miles
• Female winner - Dipali Cunningham - 475 miles

• 10 Day race at Sri Chinmoy Races
• 6 Day Race at Sri Chinmoy Races
• 6 and 10 day race at Perfection Journey
• Photo gallery of 6 and 10 day race

(1) Sri Chinmoy, Aspiration-Body, Illumination-Soul Part 2 (1993)

Ashrita has been working on organising the world record non-stop for months. “The greatest challenges are in finding translators for languages which are spoken only by a few thousand people. For example, Bislama is only spoken by 6200 people in Vanuatu and New Caledonia,” he said.. Ashrita Furman has set over 500 Guinness World Records, including the record for the most Guinness records. The record set today is for the Guinness world record for “A Poem / Literary Passage Recited in the Most Languages“.

Begin of American Peace Run

The Guinness World Record attempt also coincided with the start of the North American Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run. The Peace Run will travel 12,000 miles in the next four months as it travels through the US and Canada.

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, formerly known as World Harmony Run, is a global torch relay that symbolises humanity's universal aspiration for a more peaceful world and involves world leaders and millions of citizens every other year.

View more at the US Peace Run

• Previous record for reciting poem in different languages 146 - 2010

Map of the European Route

The map of the run across Europe.

The Peace Run visits countless numbers of schools, allowing children to participate in this project for peace.

Runners from many different nationalities have participated.

Participants of the Run on the Portugal Spanish border

Runners on the south coast of France, Nice.

• Peace Run EU

The Choir has performed for many years at the UN, and other venues around the world, songs composed by Sri Chinmoy. In 1970, then Secretary-General U Thant invited the spiritual leader to conduct twice-weekly non-denominational peace meditations for delegates and staff at UN Headquarters in New York. Until his passing in 2007, Sri Chinmoy brought his multifaceted inspiration to the United Nations family through meditations, lectures, concerts, art exhibits and special programmes, and the Singers are honoured to continue in this spirit.

You are welcome to visit the UN webcast of the event at 2:03 to 2:11 (approximately 2 hours into the programme).

The Singers also opened last year's UN Interfaith event held in the UN

General Assembly Hall on 14 February 2013. Video link

• United Nations at Sri Chinmoy.org
• Celebration of the life of Sri Chinmoy at United Nations

Esraj playing

36. Esraj - live - An esraj recording from a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 2003 | Album Royal Albert Hall
37. Esraj - Ogo Paramesh - esraj | Album Esraj 7

Piano

38. Grand Piano - Grand Piano | "My Prayerful Salutations To The United Nations" – Part 3
39. Piano - Piano | “Vivekananda—An Ancient Silence-Heart”
40. Two piano duets - Two piano duets | The Cries of the Unknown and the Smiles of the Unknowable
41. 70th piano performance - 70th piano performance | from Sri Chinmoy's 2001 70th birthday celebrations | My Seventy Heart-Piano-Friends

Organ

42. First Pipe Organ performance - Sri Chinmoy's first pipe organ performance in Zurich, May 26th 1987 | First Pipe Organ performance The Summit Song of Self-Transcendence
43. Organ extemporaneous - Sri Chinmoy plays on the organ at the Cathedral of Florence | Album Immortality's Fountain Delight

Cello

44. Cello and singing (34 mins) - Sri Chinmoy performs on the Cello | Album Silence Speaks

Flute

45. Flute recording - Flute recording | Silence Speaks
46. Echo Flute -Echo Flute | Peace Concert in Toronto 1984
47. 30th Flute recording anniversary - 30th Flute recording anniversary from 2006 performance in New York | Album 30th Flute Anniversary
48. Cow Horn - Bhagaban  - Cow Horn - Bhagaban | "My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations" – Part 2

Drum

49. Madal Drum - Madal Drum | "My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations" Part 5

Poetry

50. The Absolute - The Absolute poetry recital by Sri Chinmoy | Poetry Meditation

• Radio Sri Chinmoy

The peace run torch, symbolising the hope for a peaceful and harmonious world.

More participants.

How can I have peace? Not by talking about peace, But by walking Along the road of peace.

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

More news from the Peace Run in Turkey.

[1] From: Twenty-Seven Thousand Aspiration-Plants, Part 115 (1988).

Jesus, the innocent child, took into his mind the darkness of the world and became Light. Jesus, the loving Son, took into his heart the suffering of the world and became Compassion. Jesus, the all-knowing Father, took upon his body the sins of the world and became Salvation.

Then he offered his human self, the agonized mind, the betrayed heart, the broken body at the Feet of God. And he offered his divine self-glowing Light, flowing Compassion, the world-Salvation at the feet of man.

Jesus was the Cross: God’s Revelation and man’s Illumination. Jesus was the Crucifixion: God’s Self-fulfillment and man’s Self-discovery. Jesus was the Ascension: God’s Compassion-Love and man’s perfection-dawn.”

• The Kingdom of Heaven - Christ Songs at Radio Sri Chinmoy.
• Be Thou My All - Mountain Silence

After the songs, several poetic tributes to Mandela were also read out. The informal ceremony was concluded with a brief silent meditation around 8pm. The minute's silence was brought to a thunderous and fitting end, with the sonorous tones of Big Ben striking on the hour.

In another nice co-incidence, a few minutes after the end of this prayerful tribute, another group of South Africans could be heard making a slow rhythmic walk across Parliament Square from South Africa house. The group of 30-40 South Africans, including the leader of the ANC in Europe and other long time supporters of the anti-apartheid cause, had come to offer their own fitting tribute to their beloved leader Nelson Mandela.

With great generosity of spirit the leader of the South African group offered their gratitude to see another group already there to share and appreciate their arrival. The South African group offered their own songs and wonderful tributes. Many speaking of their personal experiences of how one man, Nelson Mandela, had transformed their country and life.

It was an unplanned meeting, but the timing appeared to be a fortuitous co-incidence - two groups able to come together to share their goodwill and gratitude, with the common theme of one inspiring leader. During the brief talks, one lady spoke how the statue of Nelson Mandela was to her a symbol of hope, peace and embodying the ideals of a better life.

The spirit of this joyful mingling of previous strangers - was a wonderful tribute to the life of Mandela - a tribute to one man who had sacrificed his life to help end artificial human division. All who attended left uplifted by the event.

Sri Chinmoy said of Nelson Mandela.

“Beloved President Mandela, O Founding Father of a free and democratic South Africa, your sacred covenant with your people shall forever and forever last. The rainbow nation shall shine for all Eternity with its many brilliant and glorious colours. None can dim its light. None can dull its splendour.” (Kind Words, Nelson Mandela)

Other Sri Chinmoy Centres around the world also offered their own tributes to the life of Nelson Mandela.

• Memorial Service for Mandela in New York at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Group
• Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Whoever genuinely desires To redress humanity’s suffering Feels behind him one hundred per cent The living presence of Mandela’s heart.

President Mandela’s very name Builds a hope-cathedral In the heart of despair-flooded humanity.

In Mandela they found The inspiration-fountain Of their lives And the aspiration-mountain Of their hearts.

He is a magician supreme! He transforms Our very long-standing bitterness Into our abiding sweetness In the twinkling of an eye.

He tells the sea-deep sorrow-sufferers: ‘My brothers and my sisters. Here and now smile with a new start Tomorrow’s Golden Dawn is come!’

The citizens of the whole world See in the circle Of President Mandela’s Fond embrace The blossoming joy of world-peace-hope And The fulfilling power of world-oneness-promise.

"You must vow to turn misfortunes into victory."

Words of President Nelson Mandela

"Any man that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose."

Words of President Nelson Mandela

• Music at Sri Chinmoy Songs

Sri Chinmoy met with President Nelson Mandela at the Presidential Residence, South Africa. and honored him with the "Lifting Up The World With A Oneness-Heart" Award.

• Nelson Mandela.org biography

The book 'My Guru, Sri Chinmoy: Life and Teachings' offers Manatita's personal perspective on the life and teachings of Sri Chinmoy. It includes some chapters on Manatita's first steps into the spiritual life and how he came to adopt the lifestyle of a seeker. He also places into context what he feels are the most important teachings from Sri Chinmoy's body of works.

For those wishing to gain an insight into the spiritual philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, this makes an excellent introduction. Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Head, Sufi Order International, writes:

"Sri Chinmoy was a dear friend of my father, Pir Vilayat, and a kind presence in my own life. Manatita Hutchinson's lucid account of his life and teachings is a valuable contribution to the Guru's legacy, and will be welcomed by all who knew and esteemed him."

Manatita says he was inspired to write the book because he wished to share with sincere seekers how much his own life has been shaped and moulded by his Guru, Sri Chinmoy. Manatita says that he feels he has only been able to give a glimpse into the Master-disciple relationship and what Sri Chinmoy means, but he hopes that it will provide an objective introduction into the philosophy and life of Sri Chinmoy.

 Manatita's home page at the Sri Chinmoy Centre

My Guru, Sri Chinmoy at Amazon.co.uk

The Peace Run visiting a school.

The Peace Run team from around the world give a presentation of the run, founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987.

The run has been greeted with much enthusiasm by local people.

The Run also passes by the natural beauty of Africa. Here Lake Tana, at sunset (which provides 80% of the source of the River Nile.)

• Peace Run Africa

A packed house.

"Music has a universal appeal; it elevates human consciousness. Music glorifies the human in the divine and the divine in the human."

- Sri Chinmoy

Gandharva Loka

The Rudolfinum is one of Europe's oldest concert halls, built in the 1890s. Antonín Dvořák himself conducted the Czech Philharmonic in the hall in its first ever concert on 4 January 1896. It has been the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra since 1946.

• Dvorak Hall, Rudolfinium Prague
• More photos at Sri Chinmoy Centre gallery
• Songs of the Soul, Prague
• Sri Chinmoy's concerts at Radio Sri Chinmoy
• Gandharva Loka at Radio Sri Chinmoy

On a wet and windy day in north Yorkshire, Tejvan beat a strong field including many full time pros to win the event by only two seconds. It was Tejvan's 9th national hill climb championship, his previous best was 4th in 2010. In the past, he has also finished very strongly in the national time trial championships.

The Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team was first formed in the early 1970s. As well as running, weightlifting and tennis, Sri Chinmoy also was a dedicated cycling enthusiast during the late seventies, competing twice in the 24-hour cycle race in New York in the late seventies.

Related links:

• Tejvan wins at Cycling Weekly - UK cycling magazine
• Race report at Velo UK - another UK cycling magazine
• Race report at Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team homepage

• Interview with Sri Chinmoy on KPFA radio, Berkeley, 1973 - Sri Chinmoy answers questions on the spiritual life, acceptance and God-realisation
• Peace Concert by Sri Chinmoy from Brown University

• 17 tracks from past year -  A selection of 17 tracks from several different groups, including Sahadeva's group, Arthada's group and Agnikana's group.
• Interview about giving meditation classes of Ashirvad by Utpal Marshal
• All local NY Performance from August 2013 - led by Paree Atkins
• Four Universals - universal songs of 'Welcome, Congratulations, Farewell, Thank-you

Sri Chinmoy was a keen proponent of ultra distance races because it offers people the opportunity to transcend their previous achievements. Sri Chinmoy also sought to exemplify a philosophy that age is only in the mind; he regularly encouraged old people never to give up but keep trying to transcend.

He is happy Because every day he tries And actually does A little more than he thinks he can.

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

[1] Sri Chinmoy,  Twenty-Seven Thousand Aspiration-Plants, Part 92, Agni Press (1984)

"Gratitude in the inner world is nothing but self-expansion. It is through self-expansion that we become aware of our true reality, which is Infinity itself. Your contribution to the world at large, to the inner world especially, is momentous. As a seeker, I know that there is nothing on earth as valuable and significant as gratitude. In God's Eye there is nothing more meaningful and precious than man's gratitude. Therefore, to you, to the illumining soul in you, I wish to offer my boundless and ever-growing gratitude.

World Gratitude day at Sri Chinmoy Library

• Talk on gratitude and ingratitude by Sri Chinmoy
• Q.A. on Gratitude