Month: July 2013

Statue of Sri Chinmoy in Ipswich

Recently a statue of Sri Chinmoy holding a Peace Torch was dedicated at Chantery Park, Ipswich; the statue was a gift from the Oneness-Home Peace Run, and marked the culmination of a week long Peace Run from Cardiff to Ipswich.

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Statue with Mayor of Ipswich and sculptor Kaivalya Torpy

Sri Chinmoy visited Ipswich on two occasions, in the the 1980s and 1990s, and the city is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Peace Blossoms programme. Several athletic events have also been offered by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in Ipswich over the years.

The organiser of the event, Martin Spettigue commented that:

“We want to offer something that will inspire people to think more and more about peace and to understand how important peace is to an individual.”

The Mayor of Ipswich offered his gratitude to the Peace Run team for kindly offering this symbol of peace and said it would be a great asset to Chantery Park.

Continue reading “Statue of Sri Chinmoy in Ipswich”

Successful Channel Swim

On the 27th of July, Adriano Passini completed the 43rd successful English Channel crossing by a member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon in a time of 11 hours 10 minutes. It was the first successful crossing by a Brazilian member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

channel-swim

Adriano began his swim in the very early hours of the morning at 02:37. Conditions proved to be a mixture of warm sea temperatures, rain, mist, and thunderstorms. Adriano had to also contend with jellyfish and large sea vessels. However, as he approached the French coast, 11 hours later, weather conditions became favourable. Adriano was supported by a dedicated boat and his two main helpers Ashirvad Zaiantchick and Karteek Clarke (a veteran of 10 channel crossings himself) – his helpers proudly mentioned that Adriano never complained, but cheerfully stuck to the task in hand.

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Adriano swimming the channel

Adriano has been dreaming of achieving this swim for the past couple of years. Recently, he has competed a few long swims in preparation; this included the Zurich Lake Self-Transcendence Marathon Swim, a 26km race organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

Sri Chinmoy encouraged his students to swim the channel, saying it offered a great challenge for individual self-transcendence.

“The English Channel frightens the human body.
The English Channel challenges the human vital.
The English Channel puzzles the human mind.
The English Channel invites the human heart.
The English Channel treasures the human soul.
” [1]

– Sri Chinmoy Continue reading “Successful Channel Swim”

Happy 95th Birthday, Madiba!

Today is President Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, and the Sri Chinmoy Centre would like to add its best wishes to the millions of birthday greetings from all around the world. Sri Chinmoy was a great admirer-friend of President Mandela, and the two had several warm and significant meetings.

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Sri Chinmoy wrote a book called Nelson Mandela: The Pinnacle-Pillar of Mother Earth in his honour – below are some of the poems from the book:

“He tells poorer than the poorest human beings
In every possible way:
‘Let us dream together.
The Golden Dawn
Will soon burst forth!’”

“President Mandela’s very name
Builds a hope-cathedral
In the heart of despair-flooded humanity.”

Sri Chinmoy –

“I cannot express in words my joy! What you are doing is in the interest of the entire humanity and the world.” – Nelson Mandela to Sri Chinmoy, meeting in South Africa, 1996

The above photo shows Sri Chinmoy and Nelson Mandela and his wife, Mama Graca holding the torch of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, which Sri Chinmoy founded in 1987. While holding the torch President Mandela said: “We are with you in upholding peace, which brings solace to many people throughout the world. It doesn’t matter what language they speak. I think peace is one of the things that is going to save the world.”

In a statement released on his birthday, President Mandela’s health is reported to be steadily improving.

Eternal peace flame in Oslo

At a ceremony in Oslo, there was a re-dedication of the Eternal Peace Flame – a powerful symbol and hope for peace. The Eternal Peace Flame was offered to the city of Oslo by Sri Chinmoy in 2001. For many years, the Eternal Peace Flame had a temporary home on the sea front. Now a permanent place has been found in a beautiful surroundings of Holmenkollen – overlooking the city. Next to the flame, there is now also a statue of Sri Chinmoy – a powerful work of art to represent the peace-loving life and spirit of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Oneness-Home Peace Run.

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The ceremony was joined by members of the Peace Run, and several dignitaries.
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With the peace run torch by the Eternal Peace Flame

The Eternal Peace Flame plaque at the base of the sculpture:

The Eternal Peace-Flame
Holmenkollen, Norway

Dedicated by Sri Chinmoy:
Dreamer of World-Peace

The Eternal Peace-Flame
Mankind’s Oneness-Game.
Here in Norway’s Oslo,
The smiles of the world glow.

May humanity’s aspiration-heart
Find here the Beauty and Fragrance
Of real PEACE.
— Sri Chinmoy

Oslo, June 27th, 2013

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Dublin Songs of the Soul concert

On June 28th, the Dublin Sri Chinmoy Centre promoted a well received Songs of the Soul concert at the beautiful Newman University Church in the centre of Dublin.
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Several groups performed the music of Sri Chinmoy including Kanala & Sadanand, Ashru Dharar, Mangala’s Group, and Adarsha & Ananda. After a rousing finale of the song ‘Akashe Amar’ – a large enthusiastic audience of around 230 people, offered their generous appreciation of the concert.

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Akashe Amar
English Translation:

My infinite consciousness-light
Pervades the sky and ether.
Today I shall strike and destroy in a twinkling
The world’s intense sufferings.

– Sri Chinmoy (Score)

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