Sri Chinmoy taught a philosophy of self-transcendence – the effort and determination to go beyond our limitations and discover our own inner and outer capacities.
What gives life its value,
If not its inner cry
For self-transcendence?
Through his various prolific activities in fields such as sport, weightlifting, music and writing, Sri Chinmoy is an exampel of how a life of prayer and meditation can increase our inner and outer capacities.
If we believe in our own
Self-transcendence-task
Then there can be
No unreachable goal.
Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu was recently presented with the first Sri Chinmoy Peace Prize for his dedication to fostering the ideals of peace in the hearts and lives of millions worldwide.
Desmond Tutu with Sri Chinmoy Peace Award
Sri Chinmoy met with Desmond Tutu on numerous occasions.
In 2004, Sri Chinmoy offered Archbishop Desmond Tutu the ‘Lifting up the World with a Oneness-Heart Award‘ During a private in meeting in Capetown, 1995, Sri Chinmoy said of Desmond Tutu.
Father Tutu, you perfectly embody both contemplation and action, and thus you serve as a radiant example for God-lovers and peace-seekers everywhere in today’s world. In your compelling words: “The most important, the most cardinal fact about our life is the spiritual-that encounter with God in prayer, in worship, in meditation.” Far from providing an escape, religion for you sounds a clarion call to the service of truth. 1
After receiving the Sri Chinmoy Peace Award, Desmond Tutu expressed his gratitude saying:
“Thank you so much for this very special award which I shall treasure. Please pray for us. I wish to say that world has got very many ugly things—war and poverty and disease. But it also has beautiful things…. Sri Chinmoy was one of God’s very best fellow workers, working for harmony and peace, and we thank God for his tireless service.We pray for God’s Blessings on all who follow his teachings to plant the seeds of peace and harmony throughout the world.”
Desmond Tutu also held aloft the World Harmony Run torch which is committed to the ideals of spreading peace and harmony throughout the world.
Sri Chinmoy gives several practical ways to keep the mind silent during meditation.
What can we do about thoughts on a practical level? Let us take thoughts as individuals and take the mind as a room that we live in and own. We have to bolt the door to our mind-room from the inside and not allow anybody whatsoever to enter. We will not only keep out our enemies, which are bad thoughts, but also our friends, the good thoughts. We are determined to enjoy only silence, complete silence.
Another technique Sri Chinmoy encourages is to use the power of the heart rather than the mind.
How will you make the mind calm and quiet? The mind has its own power, and right now this power is stronger than your present eagerness and determination to meditate. But if you can get help from your heart, then gradually you will be able to control your mind. The heart, in turn, gets constant assistance from the soul, which is all light and all power.
The film Challenging Impossibility gives a unique insight into how Sri Chinmoy used weightlifting to inspire other people, and also the link between outer strength and inner peace.
The film is playing at the Tribeca film festival and has gained significant interest for its inspirational message. In a A Monument to Strength as a Path to Enlightenment, the New York Times reflects on how body builders and weightlifters were drawn to the unusual combination of a Spiritual Teacher and person who lifted heavy weights.
“…Those three — and other bodybuilders like Bill Pearl and Mike Katz — would attend the guru’s lifting exhibitions and were intrigued and inspired by a man of normal size and physique lifting such heavy weight later in life…”
The film is directed by Sanjay Rawal and Natabara Rollosson, you can view a short interview at Cinema Blend on the inspiration behind the film.
Sri Chinmoy saw a strong connection between outer strength and the inner peace gained from prayer and meditation.
The Feats of Strength, Pop up Museum, on 18 Jay Street is displaying a small selection of Sri Chinmoy’s weightlifting apparatus. See: Pop Up Gallery at Challenging Impossibility.
Photo top: Calf lift – 2,300lbs from 2004 Weightlifting Anniversary.
Sri Chinmoy was a prolific composer and performed on a variety of instruments.
” When somebody is singing or playing music, it is very easy for us to identify with it because we are on the same level. But music can be found everywhere. Music is oneness with God’s Infinity, Eternity and Immortality. Music is a universal language. We do not need any other language.” 1
– Sri Chinmoy
To Sri Chinmoy, music has the capacity to awaken the soul and elevate the aspiring consciousness.
“Music is psychic enlightenment. Music is the supreme fulfilment of the aspiring human soul.” 2
– Sri Chinmoy
A small selection of some of Sri Chinmoy’s recordings can be found at:
A short film about the weightlifting of Sri Chinmoy will feature in this years Tribeca film festival. The film includes interviews with various weightlifters and celebrities who were lifted by Sri Chinmoy during his unique weightlifting career.
Davidson Hepburn, President of the General Conference of UNESCO offered a message of support and encouragement for the World Harmony Run.
Davidson Hepburn with World Harmony Run torch
Davidson Hepburn offered his appreciation for the values, ideals and activities of the World Harmony Run, founded by Sri Chinmoy.
I note with admiration the many inspirational events supported by the World Harmony Run in over 100 countries during recent years. The Harmony Run Torch, passed from hand to hand, has encouraged millions of individuals to aspire for a world of oneness and peace.
Harmony and peace are not mere “buzzwords”. As we look toward the future, I am reminded of the message of my dear friend Sri Chinmoy, founder of the Run, which can strengthen us on our way forward. He said that world harmony and world peace are “the realities, divine realities and supreme realities.”
Since Sri Chinmoy’s mahasamadhi in 2007, Kaivalya Torpy, a student of Sri Chinmoy has produced several statues of Sri Chinmoy which have been placed in different parts of the world.
Statue of Sri Chinmoy, Vaasa
Kaivalya is actually a trained scientist who worked as a physics teacher in London. However, encouraged by his Guru, Sri Chinmoy, he become more involved in sculpting several years ago. In this interview he explains how he feels Sri Chinmoy’s inspiration as he works on his art.
