Author: Tejvan Pettinger

6 and 10 day races 2014

During April 19-29,  80 competitors from around the world took part in the annual 6 Day and 10 Day Self Transcendence races organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in Flushing Meadows New York. The Six day race was first held in 1998, though the Sri Chinmoy MT have been promoting multi-distance races since the early 1980s. The races were founded by Sri Chinmoy who believed physical and spiritual self-transcendence could easily co-exist.

I do not have any set goal; my goal is self-transcendence. I always try to transcend myself. I do not compete with the rest of the world. I compete only with myself, and I try to become a better human being. This is my ultimate goal.

– Sri Chinmoy (1)

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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:

Ten Day Race

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

Six Day race

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

Read more about the Six and Ten day Race

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

Guinness World Record for Peace Poem

On April 10th, 2014, representatives from around the world joined together to set a new Guinness World Record for reciting a poem into the most number of languages – 203. The poem by Sri Chinmoy on peace was recited by more than fifty UN ambassadors, diplomats and Olympians; these distinguished guests joined with Guinness top record holder Ashrita Furman, and participants of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.

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Representatives from around the world who recited the poem

The Guinness Record Poem written by Sri Chinmoy

“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.”

Ashrita Furman announces record
Ashrita Furman announces record

The 206 languages ranged from Bengali and Maori to Newari and Zulu, it meant that the poem “O Dreamers of Peace” was expressed with some of the most unusual and charming communication sounds on the globe. The record was set during the launch of the global biennial Peace Run held at the Dag Hammarsköld Plaza across from UN Headquarters in New York City. It was here that Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy led the Peace Meditation at the United Nations twice a week for 37 years. Ashrita said he wanted to break a Guinness Record this week in honour of the Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary of the arrival in America of Sri Chinmoy 50 years ago.

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Amb. Anwarul Chowdhury from Bangladesh

The Peace Run and Guinness Record were highlighted by long-time UN Under-Secretary-General Amb. Anwarul Chowdhury, a long-time friend and countryman of Sri Chinmoy, who said: “This Peace Run symbolises the aspirations of all of us for world friendship and global peace and was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987—a visionary of peace and a person who believed in the oneness of humanity.”

Continue reading “Guinness World Record for Peace Poem”

European Peace Run 2014

The European Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is steadily making its progress across the European continent, offering a message of peace and goodwill. The Peace Run began it’s momentous journey in Belgium this February, before travelling through Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and now through the Balkan countries. It will continue to travel through many European countries before finishing in Belgrade this autumn.

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President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy lit the Peace Torch in Brussels to mark the beginning of the 2014 run (Link)

Mr. Van Rompuy said on the opening day “Establishing, maintaining and developing peace is an ongoing run, an ongoing battle. (…) So thank you for everything you are doing to bring people closer together. You are proving to us that taking part in this Run is not just exercise or sport. It is, I insist on it, a way of life.”

Peace Run in Croatia
Peace Run in Croatia

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run was founded in 1987 by peace visionary, Sri Chinmoy. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s time in the West, and remains a powerful vehicle for spreading peace throughout thousands of individuals around the world.

There is no human being on earth
Who does not have the capacity
To offer the message of peace
To the world at large.
But what is needed now
Is the soulful willingness. 1

– Sri Chinmoy

Continue reading “European Peace Run 2014”

World Interfaith Harmony event at UN

Recently, the Singers from Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations were invited to perform at the World Interfaith Harmony programme, organized by the UN Alliance of Civilizations. The program was held on 12 February 2014 in the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber and also webcast on UN Television.

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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

Related pages

50 selected recordings for Sri Chinmoy’s 50th anniversary in the West

A selection of 50 memorable audio recordings from Radio Sri Chinmoy to mark Sri Chinmoy’s 50th anniversary since arriving in the West (New York) on 13th April, 1964.

 

  1. Dove – Abar Asibo Phire, Bela Chale Jai – Dove “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” – Part 1

Sri Chinmoy singing

  1. Bhulite Diyona – Bhulite Diyona | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” – Part 1
  2. Phire Chalo – Phire Chalo | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” Part 4
  3. Dipto Madhuri – Dipto Madhuri | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” Part 4
  4. Akarane Prabhu Akarane Prabhu | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” Part 4
  5. Jiban Debata – Jiban Debata | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” Part 4
  6. Everest Aspiration – Everest Aspiration | Peace Concert in Toronto (1984)
  7. Madhurata jetanai – Madhurata jetanai | Peace Concert in Toronto 1984
  8. Dukhero Rajani Pohabena Jani – Dukhero Rajani (with harpsichord) My Unfailing Harpsichord-Friend 3
  9. Gurudev tumi amar jagiya – Gurudev tumi amar jagiya | My Heart’s Rainbow-Dreams
  10. Tamasa Rate – Tamasa Rate | One Thousand Lotus Petals Part 1, CD 1
  11. Bahir Haite Antar Mukhe – Bahir Haite Antar | One Thousand Lotus Petals Part 1, CD 1
  12. Sundara Hate – Sundara Hate | One Thousand Lotus Petals Part 1, CD 1
  13. Kata Gan Ami – Kata Gan Ami recitation, + singing with tote a tune | Meditation-Sun (1977)
  14. Tomari Hok Jai – Tomari Hok Jai | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” Part 4
  15. Peace In My Flying Soul – Peace in my Flying Soul | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” – Part 1
  16. A Heart of Peace is Made – A Heart of Peace is Made | “My Prayerful Salutations to the United Nations” – Part 1
  17. There was a Time – There was a Time | My Pilot Supreme (1972) Continue reading “50 selected recordings for Sri Chinmoy’s 50th anniversary in the West”

Peace run in Turkey

Recently, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home peace run visited Kusadasi in Turkey. The run was organised by volunteers both locally and from the international peace run. The focus of this one-off Peace Run was the Peace and Friendship Square in the heart of beautiful Kusadasi, on Turkey’s Aegean coast.

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Participants in the peace run, pose for a photo by the statue of peace and friendship.

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Many runners, including members of the Kusadasi track team joined in the run. Continue reading “Peace run in Turkey”

Songs about Jesus Christ

At Radio Sri Chinmoy, we have recently published a new album of songs about Jesus Christ – performed by Agnikana’s group.

christ songs

The songs were recorded during a performance of the play ‘The Son’ in Karlínské Spektrum Theatre in Prague during February 2008. The Son, is a play written by Sri Chinmoy about the Saviour Christ. View: Christ Songs by Agnikana’s group

In the forward to the play, Sri Chinmoy writes:

“Jesus son of God, avatar of the Western consciousness. Jesus accepted a mortal body so he could reveal man’s immortality. Jesus accepted a man’s consciousness so he could fulfil the divine consciousness. Jesus accepted bodily pain so he could offer the world eternal joy. Jesus accepted betrayal so he could teach the world the meaning of forgiveness. Continue reading “Songs about Jesus Christ”

Tributes to Nelson Mandela

On Friday 14 December 2013, members of the UK Sri Chinmoy Centre offered a prayerful tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela. Approximately 30 members offered a few impromptu songs, readings and poems in front of Nelson Mandela’s statue in Parliament Square, London.

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Beginning at around 7.30pm, the centre members sang several songs, composed by Sri Chinmoy and dedicated to Nelson Mandela. This included four songs of Nelson Mandela’s words set to music.

singing

Throughout the past few days, Mandela’s statue had received a growing collection of bouquets as people came to offer their respect. During the ceremony, a party of schoolchildren came to the statue; they offered a candle in front of this poem garland. Continue reading “Tributes to Nelson Mandela”

Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)

Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most admired leaders, recently passed away aged 95; Mandela personified South Africa’s transition to democracy and was greatly admired for his generosity of spirit and moral courage. Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 (jointly with F W De Klerk) Throughout his 95 years, Mandela sacrificed his life for the ideals of justice and peace and gave inspiration to millions across the world.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

— Nelson Mandela

Sri Chinmoy met Nelson Mandela on a number of occasions, and said Nelson Mandela was one of the persons’ he admired most [1]. Sri Chinmoy wrote a book on Nelson Mandela entitled ‘Nelson Mandela: The Pinnacle-Pillar of Mother Earth‘ The book is a tribute to the ideals and vision of Nelson Mandela.

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Nelson Mandela and Sri Chinmoy meet at the United Nations June 1990

Sri Chinmoy also awarded Nelson Mandela the U Thant Peace Award in 1996, for Mandela’s commitment to the ideals of peace, forgiveness and harmony.

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Nelson Mandela and Sri Chinmoy in 1996, ANC headquarters.

Some selected quotes by Sri Chinmoy on Nelson Mandela:

Nelson Mandela:
The pinnacle-pillar
Of Mother Earth.

 

Wherever he goes,
He carries with him
The tears and smiles
Of sweetness-love.

  Continue reading “Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)”

Peace run in Africa

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home peace run is currently travelling through the great continent of Africa. The run has already visited South Africa, Ethiopia and Zambia, and in coming weeks, the Peace Run team will visit countries, such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi and Ruwanda. A full itinerary can be viewed here – Africa Peace Run

The Peace Run team comprises international volunteers from Africa and around the world; the aim of the run is to spread the ideals of friendship, peace and harmony. It provides a dynamic way for people to share their aspirations for peace and a better world. Young and old have already enthusiastically embraced the Peace Run as it makes its way around Africa.

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A great feature of the Peace Run is the spontaneous meetings. Many people see the flaming torch and join in for a while, as the run passes by the side of the road. Continue reading “Peace run in Africa”