At The Feet of My Master

Recently Pradhan Balter, a student of Sri Chinmoy for over 30 years, published a book – At The Feet of My Master about his life and experiences with his Spiritual Teacher. His books offers an insightful and illumining account of his 30 years as a disciple of Sri Chinmoy.

You can visit his site: At The Feet of My Master, where it is possible to order.

pradhan

We asked him a few questions about the process of writing.

Why did I write the book?

If you would allow me, I would prefer to re-word the question to “Why was the book written?” At the time of writing it, there was no intent…no purpose beyond offering something nice to Guru. In fact, the book evolved as a result of a series of experiences I had with Guru

As you know, “sitting at the feet of the Master”, historically speaking, is a position of great honor and opportunity. But I never felt that this was a reflection of me or my own inner capacity. There was nothing about me that “earned” this role. It was, frankly, a boon given to me. I was a piece of fruit that Guru chose. He could easily, and in fact, did choose many others for this role. I felt, therefore, that the role didn’t belong to me and it was my responsibility, or even mandate, to share the experience with others.

This “experience sharing” would typically only take place privately in front of a few friends or spiritual-family members and always in the form of story-telling.

The very first time I formally wrote a story down on paper, I did so only because I thought Guru would enjoy it. I knew that if he liked it, he’d have me read it, but if not, no harm. It was on a Christmas trip in Tenerife. I wrote about an experience which I called NOAMS: No outer attention misery syndrome. It was very frank. It’s easy for me to be frank about my own personal experiences, so here I wrote about how my life changed when Guru first asked me to work on him, how I became very attached to the role, and how I received a very lovely public “blessing-scolding” because of that, etc, etc. So, I was delighted when Guru told me at a group function, “I read your story. Please read it aloud. You have a copy?” I replied that didn’t but I could easily tell the story.

Continue reading “At The Feet of My Master”

Music from the Himalayas

In Kathmandu, in the foothills of the Himalayas, a musical concert was recently offered in celebration of the music of Sri Chinmoy.

nepal

Performers from the Songs of the Soul concert.

Sitars, guitar and tabla. Coverage at the Himalayan Times

Sri Chinmoy visited Nepal on two occasions in the 1990s. After a visit to Nepal, Sri Chinmoy wrote:

“The moment I use the word ‘Nepal’, inside my heart something so deep and haunting I feel, like a most melodious tune. Such a sweeter than the sweetest melody I hear when I use the word ‘Nepal’. I am very happy to be of service to Nepal, to all the Nepalese hearts, Nepalese souls and Nepalese lives.”

– Sri Chinmoy 1

Nepalese performers.

Related

Photos top two by Jowan

  1. Sri Chinmoy, Sri Chinmoy Answers, Part 22, New York: Agni Press, 2000.

Peace Concert at Nobel Peace Center

In 2007, Sri Chinmoy offered a peace concert at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.
nobel peace center
The recording is available at Radio Sri Chinmoy from the recording ‘My Heart Offering‘.

The recording features performances on the Esraj, Indian and Western Flute and other instruments. This concert was one of the last before Sri Chinmoy’s mahasamadhi in October 2007. Throughout his life, Sri Chinmoy sought to be a student of peace.

“Peace. Peace is love unmistakably realised. Peace is joy unreservedly shared. Peace is oneness soulfully expanded. Peace is fulness permanently founded.”

– Sri Chinmoy 1

  1. Sri Chinmoy, Inner Peace And World Peace: Agni Press, 1992.

Nepal Sri Chinmoy Statue

On Monday, January 10th, 2011 a new statue of Sri Chinmoy was unveiled at Nagarkot, Nepal.

Nepal

Sri Chinmoy visited Nepal in 1994 and 1999. In 1994, the mountain, Ghenge Liru, part of the Langtang mountain range, which stands in proximity to the statue was dedicated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Mountain.

” What does peace do? Peace blossoms. What else? Peace spreads. What else? Peace illumines. What else? Peace fulfils.”

– Sri Chinmoy 1

Statue overlooking mountain.

Continue reading “Nepal Sri Chinmoy Statue”

  1. Sri Chinmoy, Peace: Agni Press, 1995

Seeking a Spiritual Path

Adhiratha Keefe has published a short account of how he became a seeker and then student of Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s.

Adhiratha with Sri Chinmoy in early 1970s

Adhiratha also shares some of his experiences as a student of Sri Chinmoy, including participating in the World Harmony Run and being involved in other initiatives for peace.

Kailash Singing Group

Kailash’s singing group is dedicated to learning and performing the prolific musical compositions of Sri Chinmoy. Since it was formed a few years ago, it has performed over 7,000 songs of Sri Chinmoy.

kailash

The group perform the songs of Sri Chinmoy without arrangement or instrumental backing.

More on Kailash’s singing group at Radio Sri Chinmoy

On Radio Sri Chinmoy, we have published interviews with three members of this unique group.

Photo Top: Mount Kailash – by, OndÅ™ej Žváček, GNU license.

Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees

Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees is a collection of short poems that Sri Chinmoy composed between 1998 and 2007. New books have been added to Sri Chinmoy Library, and the full set will be available soon.

trees

I have a false boss
And a real boss.
My false boss is my ego-pride
And my real boss is my heart-delight.

Sri Chinmoy 1

Little by little,
My soul’s light
Is coming to the fore.

– Sri Chinmoy 2

God is every day looking
For more and more
Self-giving seekers.

– Sri Chinmoy 3

Photo, Tejvan, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries.

Related

I always try to speak with my heart

  1. Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, # 49019, Part 50, Agni Press, 2009
  2. Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, # 49023 Part 50
  3. Sri Chinmoy, # 49043, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, Part 50

Inspiration from Africa

Earlier this year, the World Harmony Run passed through some of the most beautiful landmarks in South Africa, and helped to unite many people in working towards a more harmonious and positive future.

Members of World Harmony Run Team by Victoria Falls

see more at Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

The World Harmony Run, was founded by Sri Chinmoy, as an initiative to encourage world peace and friendship amongst the different peoples of the world.

The initiative has been supported by African leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

Nelson Mandela and Garcia Mandela with Sri Chinmoy, 1998

“My Brother in peace, we acknowledge the tremendous contribution which you and your peace movement are making to promote global peace.”

– Nelson Mandela 1

“I am happy to support your Peace Run for justice, peace and reconciliation. The world must know that God wants us to live amicably as brothers and sisters, members of one family, the human family, God’s family.”

– Desmond Tutu 2

sa

Children hold the Torch on a recent visit of Run, through South Africa.

“The absence of war is not and cannot be the real peace. Real peace is the unmistakable establishment of celestial harmony and universal love.”

– Sri Chinmoy (Founder of World Harmony Run) 3

Related

  1. World Harmony Run – Torch Relay for Peace and Harmony p.118. New York: Agni Press, 2010
  2. World Harmony Run – Torch Relay for Peace and Harmony p.118. New York: Agni Press, 2010 and World Harmony Run, S.A.
  3. Sri Chinmoy. Perez de Cuellar: Immortality’s Rainbow-Peace, New York, Agni Press, 1989

When The Power of Love Replaces The Love Of Power

Sri Chinmoy taught a simple message that the power of love needs to replace the love of power.

power of love

Sri Chinmoy expressed this philosophy in a number of aphorisms:

When the power of love
Replaces the love of power,
Man will have a new name:
God.

– Sri Chinmoy 1

World-peace
Can be achieved
When the power of love
Replaces
The love of power.

– Sri Chinmoy 2

Continue reading “When The Power of Love Replaces The Love Of Power”

  1. Sri Chinmoy, 1970, Meditations: Food For The Soul, Agni Press
  2. Sri Chinmoy, 1997, Peace-Lovers, AUM publications

World’s Heaviest Shoes

Ashrita Furman recently set a new Guinness World Record for walking in the heaviest shoes, another unique feat of self-transcendence from the person who holds the most current Guinness World Records. The record was part of Guinness’ annual – Guinness World Records day. Previous records include challenging events such as the most consecutive forward rolls – a rather nauseous 12 miles, and the longest continuous distance whilst balancing milk bottle – 80 miles .

In a recent article at the Wall Street Journal, Ashrita explains his inspiration for feats of self-transcendence come from his meditation and spiritual teacher  Sri Chinmoy. Though unathletic at school, Ashrita found a new source of energy and athleticism after practising yoga and meditation under the tutelage of Sri Chinmoy.

“I want to inspire people,” says Mr. Furman, who is almost always training for three or four events. “If you have a dream, you can achieve your dream. I’m living my dream.” – Ashrita at Wall Street Journal

Ashrita featured in the British Sun

Continue reading “World’s Heaviest Shoes”