Author: Tejvan Pettinger

3100 Mile Race 2012

On June 17th, 2012 , the world’s longest certified footrace, the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile race, will begin in Queens, New York. Inspired by Spiritual Teacher, Sri Chinmoy, the 3100 Mile race began in 1997, and provides the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance. The current record for the event is held by Madhupran Wolfgang Schwerk  from Germany with a 2006 best of 41 days 6 hrs – 75 miles per day!

The runners cover the 3100 Mile distance by running around a small loop of less than one mile. The athletes run continuously for up to 18 hours a day from the start of the race, to the finish 52 days later.

Video of Interviews with Runners

“We do it to push our own limits, to realize that we can do more ourselves and help to inspire others to do more, to realize they have more within themselves they can achieve,”

Bipin Larkin, the race director.

Spirit of A Runner

During the 2008 edition, filmmaker Jessie Beers-Altman, made an in-depth documentary about the 3100 Mile Race. The video follows  13-time finisher Suprabha Beckjord as she sought to complete the 2008 edition of the race. Spirit of a Runner challenges our definition of possibility, as it explores the enduring capacity of the human heart. Watch online at 3100 Mile Race

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Exhibition of Sri Chinmoy’s Weightlifting

In Prague, Czech Republic there is a public exhibition of some of Sri Chinmoy’s weightlifting equipment.

Sri Chinmoy began weightlifting in the mid 1980s when he was already in his 50s. Sri Chinmoy said that weightlifting was an opportunity to show how the power of meditation could enable people to transcend their own limitations. In particular, he wished to inspire people in a positive way.

“If I can inspire anybody in this world, then I feel that my life is meaningful. With my weightlifting, I am offering my physical strength to inspire people.” [1]

Sri Chinmoy’s weightlifting apparatus, included many unorthodox lifts. He wished to change the boundaries of weightlifting and introduce new challenges.

From the very beginning of my weightlifting career, I have tried to do new things. Why should I go on always with the old system as if that is the only way? I feel that people who come to break the traditional barriers are the ones who are the real heroes.”  -  Sri Chinmoy [2]

The exhibition includes two free screenings of the film – Challenging Impossibility.

Related

[1] New Zealand Fitness, Feb/March 2006 issue (No.77). Full article reprinted here:

[2] A Mystic Journey in the Weightlifting World

Ten Thousand Flower-Flames Recording

Ten Thousand Flower-Flames is a series of poetry Sri Chinmoy wrote between the years of 1978 to 1983. At Radio Sri Chinmoy, there is a new recording of Sri Chinmoy reading out some selected poems from this series.

God’s Forgiveness finds me
No matter where I am.
God’s Compassion takes me
Where I ought to go.

– Sri Chinmoy

Oneness Dream Songs

Oneness Dream is an international all-male a cappella choir, dedicated to performing the songs of Sri Chinmoy.

one-ness

Sri Chinmoy saw music as a pure language of the heart, and a way to celebrate the underlying unity of humanity.

“Music is the language of God. God’s language, music, is not like mathematics or geometry. It is a language of love. If we love music, that is enough.”

– Sri Chinmoy 1

Oneness Dream have performed in churches and temples in different parts of the world.

Continue reading “Oneness Dream Songs”

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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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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.

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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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World Harmony Peace Statue in Cardiff

On a recent visit to Wales, the World Harmony Run presented a ‘World Harmony Peace statue’ to the city of Cardiff. The statue is located on Cardiff Bay and gives people a chance to share in the aims of the World Harmony Run to promote peace and understanding.

Sri Chinmoy

World Harmony Peace Statue

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Gandharva Loka Concert in Dhaka

Recently, Gandharva Loka Orchestra gave a concert in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Gandharva Loka perform the spiritual compositions of Maestro Sri Chinmoy. In the Dhaka concert they were also joined by renowned Bengali artist, Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya.

orchestra

The Gandharva Loka orchestra include members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre from many different countries around the world.

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Kamakura Buddha

At Radio Sri Chinmoy there is a new recording by Hiya Bhasha of songs dedicated to the Lord Buddha. Some of these songs were composed by Sri Chinmoy after he visited the Kamakura Buddha, in 1982, on a visit to Japan.

kamakura

Recently, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre offered a Songs of the Soul concert at Kamakura as part of a Japanese tour. The musicians also performed by the great Kamakura statue.

Continue reading “Kamakura Buddha”