Auspicious Good Fortune

‘Auspicious Good Fortune’ is a new book by Sumangali Morhall, which tells of her journey from disillusionment to interest in meditation and becoming a student of Sri Chinmoy.

Published by Mantra Books, it is available at Amazon and selected independent book stores. The book gives a first hand account of life as a student of Sri Chinmoy.

Sumangali writes on the experience of writing the book:

“…I began writing down a few memories several years ago, and after Sri Chinmoy’s passing in 2007, wondered about joining them together in a book. This was partly in the hope of telling the story to others who may find it interesting or inspiring, and partly for my own sake so I
did not forget my experiences.

It has taken three years to write in earnest and to find a publisher, so today is the culmination of a long but rewarding journey. This has been a significant part of my own sadhana during this time: a spiritual discipline, and a creative outlet. Overall it has been a way to offer my gratitude to Sri Chinmoy for the countless ways he has led me to a happier and more conscious life…”

 

Other books written by disciples of Sri Chinmoy

Self-Transcendence 6 – 10 Day Race 2012

The 15th annual Self Transcendence 6 / 10 day race, organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, recently started in Flushing Meadows, NY.

start

The two ultra distance races, run concurrently around a loop in Flushing Meadows, New York, have attracted a top field of international ultra distance runners.

 

The races are organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and staffed by volunteers who come to races. Sri Chinmoy was a keen advocate of distance running as a way for people to try and transcend their physical, mental and spiritual limitations.

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Let’s Meditate NYC

On 9 April, the New York Sri Chinmoy Centre organised a unique meditation workshop which drew an enthusiastic audience of 500 people.

As well as information and techniques on meditation, the evening also featured soulful musical performances which brought the listener directly into the vastness and peace of meditation. Many of the musicians had arrived from all corners of the world to attend the anniversary celebration’s of Sri Chinmoy’s arrival in the west on April 13, 1964.

 

Songs of the Soul in New York

Songs of the Soul was started in April 2008 as a way to share Sri Chinmoy’s vast musical legacy with the public through choral, instrumental and orchestral performances in a wide variety of styles. New York played host to two very powerful and moving Songs of the Soul concerts on April 14.

The concert featured Ottawa-based group Sangit Surabhi in their first Songs of the Soul performance.

Also performing were Paree’s International Group, which have been singing Sri Chinmoy’s songs acappella for over 20 years.

The concert concluded with a powerful and soulful performance by British group Ananda, with the help of international guests including Premik Russell Tubbs on flute and Adesh Widmer on sitar.

World Harmony Run USA 50-state launch

On April 12, runners and supporters of the World Harmony Run from around the globe gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza for the Opening Ceremony of the U.S. World Harmony Run.

The event was attended by many dignitaries and ambassadors from around the world. It also offered an opportunity for the Run to honour individuals and groups who have worked tirelessly for peace in their own way. For example, the World Harmony Run Torch Bearer award was given to the people of Japan for thir stoicism, courage, cheerfulness in coping with the ordeal of the earthquake and tsunami last year.

The runners will now embark on a journey across all 48 continental states (with local events in Alaska and Hawaii) which will end in August.

For the full event report, visit the World Harmony Run site…

 

Japan-Korea Joy Day

Sri Chinmoy encouraged students from different countries to meet together for Joy Days – gatherings of meditation and spiritual practice, but also games and (as the name suggests) joy!

Recently, Japanese and Korean students met together in Japan for the first such Joy Day.

(Left) Hemabha from Korea celebrates her birthday. (Right) some of the afternoon games.

There are now plans for the first Asian Joy Day later on this year.

 

Oneness-World Peace-Family Festival in South Africa

Recently in South Africa, students of Sri Chinmoy organised a festival which brought together spiritual seekers and peace-lovers from many different countries.

Among the events was a tree planting ceremony attended by officials from the nearby Parks Department, accompanied by a plaque with quotes from Sri Chinmoy and the United Nations Declaration.

Later on, members and friends of the Sri Chinmoy Centre met together for an evening of japa (meditative chanting).

New Run and Become store in Edinburgh

The ‘Run and Become’ chain of running stores was started in the early 1980’s in London by one of Sri Chinmoy’s students Ongkar Tony Smith. The name comes from one of Sri Chinmoy’s aphorisms: ‘Run and Become, Become and Run. Run to succeed in the outer world. Become to proceed in the inner world.’ There are now two other shops, in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

After 20 years in business, the Edinburgh store has just moved to a new City Centre location in Queensferry Street. This follows on from a major renovation of the London store 18 months ago.

To mark the opening, there was a small ceremony attended by many Scottish athletics luminaries.

More information: Run and Become blog

Harmony Run in Oxford and Cambridge

The World Harmony Run, founded by Sri Chinmoy, recently visited the two ancient university cities of Oxford and Cambridge.

kings-college

In Cambridge, the run visited Kings College Cambridge and was met by Dr John Barber, a Fellow of King’s College.

cambridge

The run was also greeted by the Mayor of Cambridge who supported the Run’s hope to promote peace and harmony.

In Oxford, the run visited two schools and also found time to visit Mark Williams and his team of researchers at Warneford hospital. Mark Williams heads a ‘mindfulness clinic’ which has researched the benefits of meditation in helping to cure persistent depression. The successful research has led to mindfulness being prescribed as a treatment on the National Health Service.

whr

Mike Williams was awarded a ‘Harmony Torch bearer award’ for his contribution in empowering people to overcome depression.

In Oxford, there was also a visit to Harcourt Arboretum, where a Peace Tree was planted to leave a lasting legacy for peace.

peace-tree

“The flower of the life-tree is wisdom.
The fruit of the life-tree is peace.”

– Sri Chinmoy

Planting an English Oak, dedicated to peace.

Related

World Harmony Run in British Isles, New Zealand and Australia

It have been a very active month for the World Harmony Run – the European Run is currently proceeding through the British Isles while the Asia-Pacific run started in Auckland, NZ and travelled through that country before arriving in Australia.

The Irish team spent St Patricks Day in traditional style – by participating in the St Patricks Day Parade in the town of Drogheda

The run then continued on to Scotland and the UK where they have been running through some beautiful scenery on their way to London

The Asia-Pacific run began on March 5 with an opening ceremony in Auckland’s central square

On March 19, the runners crossed from New Zealand to Australia, with a welcoming ceremony for the runners in Adelaide which included representatives from 25 countries releasing 25 doves to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Harmony Run

Concert of Spiritual Music in New York

In New York, students of Sri Chinmoy recently offered a concert of spiritual music as part of a festival of meditation and spirituality.

concert
The concert was held at Anna Silver Auditorium on Essex Street in New York; it featured a diverse selection of music and mantras offered by different vocal and instrumental ensembles.

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