Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar, the widely revered Indian Sitar Maestro, recently passed away aged 92.  George Harrison said of Ravi Shankar that he was the ‘”godfather of world music”‘. Ravi Shankar delighted audiences for many decades with his soulfully uplifting performances. His music and life helped provide a bridge between the devotional music of India, and new audiences in the West.

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Ravi Shankar and Sri Chinmoy – an early meeting.

Ravi Shankar first met with Sri Chinmoy in 1973; and in later years, the two friends met on a number of occasions. In September, 2002, Sri Chinmoy offered Ravi Shankar the U Thant Peace award. An award Sri Chinmoy gave to inspirational people who had promoted peace and harmony in the world. On giving the award, Sri Chinmoy said of Ravi Shankar:

“Every single day, your colossal music soul swiftly travels the universe and prayerfully gathers a huge bouquet of twinkling stars to place at the Feet of the Absolute Lord Beloved Supreme … Ravi Shankar the musician and God the Supreme Musician sleeplessly communicate with each other through the language of love.” (Pilgrims of Eternity)

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Sri Chinmoy, Ravi Shankar Oct 2002

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Kailash lectures in Brazil

Last week Kailash Beyer from the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Zürich, Switzerland, travelled to Brazil to offer lectures and meditation classes. He gave four talks in four different cities: Manaus, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.

A lecture of Kailash (left, orange shirt) in Sao Paolo.

Kailash’s talks revolved around the transforming power of meditation and the importance of having a spiritual master to guide you on the inner journey of self-discovery. Kailash has been a student of Sri Chinmoy for over 30 years and has travelled the world to share Sri Chinmoy’s spiritual philosophy with seekers of all walks of life.

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New Compilation of Sri Chinmoy’s Stories

A new compilation of Sri Chinmoy’s stories have been published in the Czech Republic. Entitled ‘The Golden Swan’, it is a collection of stories, beautifully illustrated by Hungarian caricaturist Ludmilla Máthé.

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These stories of goodness, love and forgiveness by Sri Chinmoy are written from the heart and for the heart; they will be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Many of these stories tell about a rich variety of characters who lived in ancient India; stories which have been told and retold from time immemorial. Others are placed in the present time or a timeless world. Whatever the time period, they provide an entertaining and enlightening perspective on life.

Vajin wins Kepler Challenge for third time

Vajin Armstrong from the Christchurch Sri Chinmoy Centre became the first person to win the Kepler Challenge – one of New Zealand’s premier trail running races – for the third time in a row.

The 60km race takes place amidst the stunning mountain scenery on New Zealand’s South Island. In total, eight students of Sri Chinmoy ran the race.

Dharbhasana Lynn – finisher of the 3100 Mile Race – after completing the Kepler Challenge
Prasasta Armstrong (Vajin’s wife) after finishing the race.

 

Sri Chinmoy Triathlon Festival celebrates its 30th edition

In 1984, the Australian Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team staged the first triathlon ever held in the Canberra region. Recently the 30th such triathlon event staged by the Team took place, with 4 races over a weekend.

There was a Junior and Open Joyathlon for youth competitors, followed by a Sprint and Classic Triathlon.

The Australian Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has gained a reputation as one of the country’s best organisers of race events.

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Inspiration News

On Sri Chinmoy TV, we have just published the latest episode of Inspiration News, a video collection of inspiring stories from around the world.

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The latest edition features an interview with Channel Swimmer Vasanti Niemz from Heidelberg, a visit to an orphanage in Vietnam, a dedication of a statue for World Harmony in Cardiff, and an athletics events from Russia.

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Inspiration News is inspired by Sri Chinmoy, who promoted many initiatives for world peace and world harmony. This episode includes recent projects inspired by this vision – such as the World Peace Dreamer statue of Sri Chinmoy in Cardiff Bay (photo above).

The presenter of Inspiration News is Utpal Marshall from Queens, New York.

View: Inspiration News at Sri Chinmoy TV

World Harmony Run in Vietnam

The World Harmony Run recently visited Vietnam and was enthusiastically welcomed by the local population.  This unique run for world peace was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987 and, in the past two decades has captured the imagination of thousands of people across the world.

The World Harmony Run in Hanoi. Invited guests and members of VUFO youth organization join in holding the peace torch.

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Members of the World Harmony Run in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province.

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Songs of the Soul: Hungarian concert tour

Recently, four concerts took place in the Hungarian cities of Budapest and Szeged, featuring music from a variety of musicians within the Sri Chinmoy Centre performing arrangements from the music of Sri Chinmoy.

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Performers playing to a packed crowd in Budapest.

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The concert was inspired by the musical legacy of Maestro Sri Chinmoy.

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Samunnati Wins Toulouse International Marathon

Samunnati Nataliya Lehonkova of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team won the Toulouse International Marathon in France on October 29th. Amidst extreme weather conditions including a temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, she set a new personal best in a time of 2.38:22.

Samunnati hails from Ukraine and is the fastest female runner in the international Sri Chinmoy Centres. Earlier this year she won the marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. When running she tries to invoke spiritual energy to help her in the race. Samunnati says she is inspired by Sri Chinmoy’s deep love of running.

Successful Gibraltar Straits Crossing

Vasanti Niemz, a two time English Channel swimmer and ultra-triathlete from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Germany, has recently swum across the Gibraltar Straits, the body of water separating Spain from Morocco

Vasanti (right) and her assistant Albena hold the Peace Torch after a succesful crossing.

Vasanti Niemz, a two time English Channel swimmer and ultra-triathlete from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Germany, has recently swum across the Gibraltar Straits, the body of water separating Spain from Morocco. Vasanti completed the 14K (8.7 mile) swim under favourable conditions in 5 hours and 25 minutes. She was assisted by Albena Margaritowa from Edinburgh. Vasanti’s Gibraltar crossing was a dream come true. She dedicated the swim to the 25th anniversary of the World Harmony Run, a global Torch relay for peace founded by Sri Chinmoy.

The swim bridged the continents of Europe and Africa

 

Art Exhibition at the United Nations

Recently (15-26 October 2012), an exhibition of paintings for World-Harmony and World-Peace by Sri  Chinmoy were displayed in the United Nations headquarters in New York.  The exhibit introduces art as a way of promoting the ideals of peace,  compassion, benevolence, non-violence, oneness and human understanding,  which are so fundamentally necessary for humankind’s peaceful co-existence.

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This two-week long exhibition has been visited by a large  number of world leaders and diplomats, such  as Nobel Laureate Archbishop  Desmond Tutu and Satish Dupelia, a great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

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