If you went to the recent Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, you are welcome to leave a message here
Recently, we published some photos and review of the concert here
Entry at Martin Doyle’s blog
Author: Tejvan Pettinger
Concert at Royal Albert Hall
Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov and members of the International Orchestra.
In 2007, Sri Chinmoy wanted to offer his dear friend Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov the opportunity to play at the Royal Albert Hall. Organised by the UK Sri Chinmoy Centres the concert was a great success and, with the encouragement of Sri Chinmoy, a repeat concert was scheduled for 2008.
Since Sri Chinmoy’s mahasamadhi in October 2007, Purushottama, wished to dedicate this year’s concert to his dear friend and teacher – Sri Chinmoy
Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov in Concert
For this years concert, Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, was joined by a range of international music stars including: Flautist Brian Finnegan, bodhrán player John Joe Kelly, Sitar player Sheema Mukherjee, and Sarangi player Maria Pomianowska. (See: listing of musicians)
The musicians kindly gave up a big chunk of their time to come together and perform this special concert. Very few of the musicians had played together before; but, they were able to achieve a remarkable degree of musical harmony and intuition in the short space of 2 weeks they had to practice. Even more remarkable was how well the divergent musical styles and traditions merged together, giving a unique performance. The musical styles varied from the classical Indian tradition of Arpan Patel’s harmonium and singing, to the Irish folk music of Brian Finnigan.
Mount Snowdon dedicated as a Peace Blossom Mountain
Mount Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales, was dedicated as a peace blossom mountain in a ceremony coinciding with the arrival of the World Harmony Run.
The runners were met at the bottom of Mount Snowdon by Mrs Owen of Gwynedd County Council, and Lord Elis Thomas the presiding officer of the Welsh Parliament. The runners then set off up the slopes of Mount Snowdon with others following in a train. There was a light hearted race with the runners trying to beat the train to the top ( which they succeeded in doing)
View from the Top of the Mount Snowdon
Continue reading “Mount Snowdon dedicated as a Peace Blossom Mountain”
Harmony
If you can create harmony
In your own life,
This harmony will enter
Into the vast world.
– Sri Chinmoy
- Poems on Harmony at Sri Chinmoy Poetry
2 New Records and Some Italian Ice Cream
On a recent visit to Europe, Ashrita succeeded in breaking two Guinness World Records, despite gaining 7 pounds, (courtesy of Italian ice cream.)
Ashrita’s first record was for the most jumps on a pogo stick in one minute. Ashrita managed to break the record, completing 256 valid jumps in one minute, adding an extra 12 jumps to the previous record of 234. (This works out at over 4 jumps per second). The record was set to the backdrop of the famous coliseum in Rome.
Ashrita’s second successful attempt was in Munich, at the Impossibility Challenger event. This involved running a sub eight minute mile on stilts.
The Impossibility Challenger event is held annually in Munich and involves a diverse range of feats of self transcendence. Previous challenges have involved, the longest continual laughing, playing music for 24 hours non stop, and riding a bicycle the wrong way. Often the event attracts quite a few Guinness World Record attempts.
For an entertaining read of Ashrita’s battle against impossibility, Italian Gelato and pastries see his own blog entry – Worth the Weight
6 and 10 Day Self Transcendence Race 2008
Photo at the start of 6 and 10 Day Race, organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team which began on April 23rd 2008.
The 6 and 10 Day race has been organised for several years by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon team. This year it is held in Flushing meadows park, near to the Tennis compound used in the US Open.
The 6 and 10 Day race is not so much a competition against others. But, offers an unique chance for self-transcendence, where runners seek to transcend their own capacities. Continue reading “6 and 10 Day Self Transcendence Race 2008”
Concert for Sri Chinmoy
On Monday May 19th, the legendary Russian musician Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, will be performing with an international ensemble of musicians at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert is dedicated to Maestro Sri Chinmoy.
Some of the Other Musicians who will be playing with BG include:
- Flautist Brian Finnegan and bodhrán player John Joe Kelly from award-winning Anglo-Irish band Flook. John-Joe has been described as “the best bodhrán player in the known universe”
- Sitar player Sheema Mukherjee, who learnt her art from the Indian legends Pandit Nikhil Bannerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan…
- Sarangi player Maria Pomianowska – a multi instrument maestro equally adept at playing Eastern instruments and those of her native Poland.
- More on the Musicians who will be performing in the concert
Since meeting Sri Chinmoy in Feb 2006, Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov has developed a close relationship with Sri Chinmoy. There was a mutual appreciation between two kindred musical spirits. Purushottama, meaning “the one who is beyond all limitations”, is a spiritual name given by Sri Chinmoy. During his life in the West, Sri Chinmoy was also a prolific musician performing in over 800 concerts, including 6 at the Royal Albert Hall.
After first meeting Sri Chinmoy, Purushottama composed a song in honour of Sri Chinmoy, called “There are birds in the Garden”. Listen: “There are Birds in the Garden”
In September 2007, he performed a concert at the United Nations building in New York, a concert which Sri Chinmoy introduced. Listen to full performance at United Nations…
In this interview at Sri Chinmoy TV, Purushottama explains how meditation has inspired his musical output.
Interview with Boris Grebenshikov
Press play to start video (bottom left) needs Apple quick Time
- For details of Concert and to obtain free tickets visit Grebenshikov Concert
Earlier in the Month, a similar concert – Songs of the Soul was offered in New York, by many musicians including Philip Glass, Roberta Flack, Steve Gorn and Samir Chatterjee.
Start of US World Harmony Run
The American World Harmony Run began on April 10th, 2008.
The Torch, which will travel around the US, was symbolically lifted in front of the Statue of Liberty, New York. Sudhahota Carl Lewis was on hand to light the torch and run around the base of the statue.
Eric S Peterson gave a short address about the World Harmony Run and the symbolic importance of the Statue of Liberty, an important symbol of hope for the world. Peterson, closed with the words of World Harmony Run founder, Sri Chinmoy
“O Polestar Statue of Liberty!
Earth-heart’s pinnacle-Divinity.
America’s proudest Vision-pride-
Her Beauty’s cosmos-fragrance-ride-
Freedom-smile-bestower is your Soul.
World-peace-hunger’s
Nectar-flooded Goal.”
The runners, from many different countries, then ran a short distance of 4 miles to Dag Hammarskjold plaza outside the United Nations for the official opening ceremony.
Many people came to offer their good wishes for the World Harmony Run, before its epic travails through the US. Some of those who came to offer support for the run included: Billie Jean King, New York philanthropist Russell Simmons, Sister Madonna Buder, first lady of New York Diana Taylor and many others who kindly offered musical tributes.
For more details on the launch of the International World Harmony run, visit here: International Launch of World Harmony RunÂ
44 Years in the West
April 13th, 2008, marked the 44th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s arrival in the West. Sri Chinmoy arrived in New York, USA on April 13th 1964.
2008, was also the first celebration since Sri Chinmoy’s mahasamadhi in October 2007.
To commemorate the arrival of Sri Chinmoy in the West, for many years, disciples have taken part in a 12 hour race walk. I believe in earlier years, Sri Chinmoy himself took part in the 12 hour walk.
Many of Sri Chinmoy’s students were in New York for the celebrations. Also, those from other countries who could not travel, took part in events in their own countries. For example, disciples in Mongolia arranged a 12 hour walk, with 45 people participating.
Mongolia 12 Hour Walk
See more photos at Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries
Utpal Marshall gives an account of celebrations through his blog post on Departures Day
Picture top by: Sharani
Running Inspiration
Arpan Deangelo shares some reminiscences of Sri Chinmoy’s running career at his new running blog
Sri Chinmoy took up long distance running in the 1970s when he was in his mid 40s. In his formative years, Sri Chinmoy had excelled in the 100 metre sprint, but, in America he took up long distance running and spent many hours training around his home in Jamaica Queens. These experiences formed the basis of a series of books called Run and Become. Sri Chinmoy describes one of many running experiences:
Today one of the disciples was telling me that he met a very good runner while running in Flushing Meadow Park. This man had told the disciple that he often sees me running and that he thought I was a sub-three-hour marathoner because I was so thin and I looked like I was in such good shape. The disciple was very polite and told the runner that I was hoping to break three and a half hours in the New York Marathon. He didn’t tell him my previous bullock-cart marathon times.
Sri Chinmoy’s Running – Part 1 of an article on Running by Arpan
Other Running Links
- Sri Chinmoy Races
- All About Running – Running Tips by Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team by Shane Magee.
Related
New Record For Pushing Car
Ashrita Furman of Queens, New York set a new Guinness world record for pushing a car. The previous record was 12 miles, but Ashrita managed to increase the distance to 17 miles.
Ashrita pushing a Ford Festiva along Old Bridge Township Raceway Park on March 6th.
Source of photo and article on Ashrita’s record.
Ashrita has currently 80 Guiness world records and has broken over 180 records since he stated breaking records in the 1970s.
Ashrita credits his ability to set new records due to teaching meditation under the tutelage of his spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. In particular it is a philosophy of self-transcendence that encourages Ashrita to try and transcend limits – both mental and physical.
Ashrita’s record attempts are not always successful; for every successful record there are near misses and failed attempts. In his latest blog post, Ashrita recounts an interesting experience with Tabasco sauce. – Humility comes in a small bottle