Peace Sculpture for Timor Leste

On February 8 the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team was blessed by the leaders of Nation of Timor-Leste. It was received by the entire Timor Leste Parliament including H.E. President Taur Matan Ruak, H.E. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, first Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Mari Alkatiri and H.E. President of the Parliament Vicente Guterres as well as H.E. Francisco Guterres former President of the National Parliament. The Timor-Leste Parliament took a recess to officially receive a statue of World Peace Dreamer Sri Chinmoy, who founded the World Harmony and Oneness-Home Peace Runs and unveil it in the grounds of the National Parliament. Video footage by the World Harmony Run Team and Kedar Misani.

SF Weekly features ANANDA FUARA restaurant

In today’s online edition the SF Weekly features among other vegetarian restaurants “Ananda Fuara”, an enter- prise lead by disciples of Sri Chinmoy:

Ananda Fuara, a few blocks away at Market and Larkin, is a San Francisco institution and “divine enterprise” of guru/super-athlete/humanitarian Sri Chinmoy. The spiritual leader died in 2007, but lives on at restaurants like this, which still bears the name he bestowed on it (translation: “the fountain of delight”) as well as poster-sized photographs of his beatific visage on the walls. There’s a lending library in the back stocked with Chinmoy titles like Beyond Within and Eastern Light for the Western Mind that you can peruse as you eat, but Chinmoy and his philosophies are never mentioned by the sari-clad staff (who do close the restaurant for yearly retreats, though, including one April 11-15). If anything, the room is peaceful, with robin-egg blue walls, tinkling meditative music, fresh flowers, and a fountain trickling water down one wall. The crowd’s a mix of business-lunchers and yoga-pant-wearing enthusiasts.

Chinmoy’s dedication to vegetarianism lay in his teachings to find your best self through meditation. He’s best known for antics like bench-pressing political dignitaries, but his followers also claim that he produced 1,500 books, 100,000 poems, 18,000 spiritual songs, and 200,000 paintings in his lifetime, many of which are on the walls. His high achievement is attributed, at least in part, to his avoidance of animal flesh. On his website, he wrote that when we eat meat, “the aggressive, animal consciousness enters into us,” whereas milder vegetables give us “the qualities of sweetness, softness, simplicity, and purity.” As such, the menu is less fake meat and more textbook hippie by way of the Moosewood Cookbook.

The restaurant is known for its Neatloaf, a take on meatloaf made with ricotta, tofu, grains, eggs, and spices ($11.75, a vegan option is also available). It’s admirably moist and texturally very similar to the version your mother might have made for Sunday dinner, but the tangy tomato-based sauce on the top was overly sweet and cloying. Still, it was a satisfying lunch, and came with a sizable fresh salad with a zippy lemon-tahini dressing. On a sandwich, the bottom slice of bread tended to get soggy; a better sandwich to try is the veggie burger ($7.95), of the soft and squishy variety and no more exciting than it needs to be.

The menu also has a large number of Indian dishes. Dal ($5.95) had the requisite complex layers of spice and heat that makes the simple chickpea stew so appealing. Samosas ($6.25) were stuffed with pea-and-potato curry, though the wrapping was a tad too thick and gluey. Ananda Fuara also has a daily curry served over rice ($11.50), which one day featured a mild, creamy version with mushrooms — nothing that blew the palate away with spice, but warming on a rainy afternoon.

Was forgoing meat for a few meals my path to spiritual enlightenment? Of course not. But dining under the gaze of the Supreme Master and Sri Chinmoy did make me more conscious of the meat I eat every day without thinking about it — turkey sandwiches, sausage on pizza, chicken in pad Thai, and so on. Given all the uncertainty these days around what’s in the meat we eat, a little mindfulness isn’t a bad thing. Even when it comes with a side of scripture. (Source: Anna Roth/SF Weekly)

“Jewels of Happiness” by Sri Chinmoy: Sincerity

Words by Sri Chinmoy, read by Madhurima Judith Light

The Spirit of a Runner

A veteran ultramarathoner tackles the Everest of distance racing in this documentary film by filmmaker Jessie Beers-Altman about the world’s longest certified footrace. The film follows distance runner Suprabha Beckjord as she takes on the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race for an unprecedented 12th year in a row. Hailed by her peers as the greatest super-long distance runner in history, Beckjord has made an annual tradition of running the race which takes place around a half mile-long loop in Queens, NY as a tribute to Bengali spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy. A disciple of Chinmoy for nearly thirty years, Beckjord faces a new challenge as she confronts the journey for the first time since his death. A portrait of inspiration, The Spirit of a Runner challenges our definition of possibility as it explores the enduring capacity of the human heart and the unfaltering power of self-transcendence. – This is only a trailer; the whole film is going to screen as part of the Boston Running Film Festival (http://runagainstcancer.org/runfilmfest/), which takes place in Boston the weekend of the marathon (April 12-15). The film will play at 5 p.m. (Block “C”) on Sunday, 4/14 at the Hynes Convention Center in downtown Boston (close to the finish line area of the marathon).

Launch of The Jewels of Happiness Audio Book by Sri Chinmoy

Aware that the increase of happiness depends also strongly on the training of one’s own spirit, the United Nations SRC Society of Writers sponsored the launch of an audio book by Sri Chinmoy on the eve of the first UN International Day of Happiness at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (19 March). Among the 17 outstanding individuals who read a chapter of the new audio book The Jewels of Happiness are Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Roberta Flack, Olympic legend Carl Lewis, Tony and Emmy award winning actress Judith Light and Russian singer and superstar Boris Grebenshikov. The Jewels of Happiness presents selected writings of Indian born Sri Chinmoy, who offered twice-weekly peace meditations for delegates and staff at the United Nations for 37 years. He also initiated global programmes to foster peace and happiness including the Peace Run – named now World Harmony Run – , the world’s largest relay run for international friendship and peace. The chapters of the celebrity audio book containing prose and poems deal with qualities and virtues whose development is necessary to gain lasting happiness. For more information please visit: http://www.jewelsofhappiness.com

 Over 500 United Nations ambassadors, delegates, staff and members of NGOs were present at the launch. “These sweet gems of wisdom by my dear friend Sri Chinmoy are timeless truths full of encouragement, love and goodness,” Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said in a video message. “Sri Chinmoy was a pioneer in forging a grand alliance of hearts and minds for the culture of peace,“ said Anwarul Chowdhury, Special Advisor and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations for many years, in his introduction. Renowned composer Philip Glass performed on the piano while Cathy Oerter, co-founder of Art of the Olympians and wife of legendary Olympian Al Oerter, and Ashrita Furman, holder of the most Guinness World Records, read from the book live. A special message from peace activist Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and former Member of Parliament in South Africa, was also read out.

 The audio book is available on itunes and audible.com and its proceeds will go to charities for children worldwide: Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund, Philani Nutrition and Development Project in South Africa and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.

TODAY: International Day of Happiness

The International Day of Happiness is a movement to promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world. A coalition led by Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations, the International Day of Happiness is created in the spirit of the initiatives and other ongoing efforts of the President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al- Nasser, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other UN member states. On March 20th, during International Day of Nawruz Celebrations, Ambassador Al-Bayati stated, “The UN was formed and intended to be a peace keeping guardian, the objectives adopted in the UN such as peace, respect for human rights, eradication of poverty, sustainable development and millennium development goals, are all for one objective, which is the happiness for all of the people of humanity.”

The following month, at high level meetings addressing “Happiness and Well-being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” convened by the government of Bhutan, the PGA stated that, “It is imperative that we build a new creative guiding vision for sustainability and our future, one that will bring a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach that will promote sustainability, eradicate poverty and enhance well-being and happiness.”    The Secretary General remarked that, “We need a new economic paradigm that recognizes the parity between the three pillars of sustainable development.    Social, economic, and environmental well-being are indivisible.    Together they define gross global happiness.” The International Day of Happiness also recognizes and captures the spirit of the efforts of other nations and groups who have begun to explore various ways to measure prosperity that go beyond material wealth initiated and championed by Bhutan.

The International Day of Happiness will be held on 20th March. Each year, on this date, a universal phenomenon occurs. The sun is on the same plane as the earthʼs equator so that day and night are of equal length, creating balance in the earthʼs celestial coordinate systems. It will be an annual global day of awareness and activities that will drive increasing levels of connectivity, education and action based programs.

Meditation-Silence # 30: The Strength of Surrender

This is the 30th episode of the series “Meditation-Silence”. The theme of this episode is “Strength of Surrender”. The meditation sequence shows Sri Chinmoy during a concert in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2002.

“Surrender is the untiring breath of the soul in the Heart of God. In surrender we discover the spiritual power through which we can become not only the seers but also the possessors of Truth. This Truth is the omnipotent Power. If we can surrender in absolute silence, we shall ourselves become the Reality of the Real, the Life of the Living, the Centre of true Love, Peace and Bliss. We shall become an incomparable blessing to ourselves. In man’complete and absolute surrender is his realisation: his realisation of the Self, his realisation of God the Infinite.”

- Sri Chinmoy, Yoga And The Spiritual Life, The Journey of India’s Soul, Agni Press, 1971.

View previous episodes of Meditation-Silence here: vimeo.com/channels/meditationsilence

Produced and filmed by kedarvideo, Switzerland
Narration: Kanan Roberts
Music: “Flute Music for Meditation” © Sri Chinmoy

Peace Run 2013 in Malaysia

Fairul, a teacher for Convent Primary School organized the visit of the peace runners to Taman Merdeka, a beautiful park in Johor Bharu,, Malaysia. Fairrul had invited students from about 11 schools to come and greet the World Harmony Runners. The students were unbelievably enthusiastic and had prepared lots of excellent dance and choral performances.

New Statue of Sri Chinmoy in Timor Leste

On February 8, 2013,  the International Sri Chinmoy Centres and the World Harmony and Peace Run Team were blessed by the Nation of Timor Leste. They were received by the entire Timor Leste Parliament including H.E. President Taur Matan Ruak, H.E. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, former Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Mari Alkatiri and H.E. President of the Parliament Vicente Guterres as well as H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Fernando de Araújo. The Timor Leste Parliament took a recess to officially receive a statue of World Peace Dreamer Sri Chinmoy, who founded the World Harmony and Oneness-Home Peace Runs. A priest representing the Bishop of the Diocese of Dili, Dom Alberto Ricardo da Silva, offered an ecumenical prayer.  World Harmony Run Director, Salil Wilson, was honored to present the Torch-Bearer Award to these two real-life heroes H.E Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and former Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Mari Alkatiri who gave so much in the building of their nation.

His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão was the great leader of the people of Timor Leste during the Indonesian oppression. As military head of FALANTIL he led the resistance with boundless courage and charisma. Now as Prime Minister his all-inclusive leadership is guiding Timor Leste to new and unimaginable heights. When Sri Chinmoy came to Timor Leste in 2004 Dr. Alkatiri warmly welcomed and honoured Sri Chinmoy with the Medal of Freedom award. Sri Chinmoy presented Dr. Alkitiri with the first World-Harmony-Dreamer Award.  Timor Leste’s first Prime Minister Dr. Mari Alkatiri reminisced about his meeting with Sri Chinmoy and offered thanks for the statue of a significant ambassador of peace.

H.E. President Taur Matan Ruak offered the closing speech saying, “This organization is motivated by the action and strength of its spiritual leader and founder Sri Chinmoy who dedicated his life to seeking Harmony and Unity.” “Sri Chinmoy showed an interest in Timor-Leste and visited our country in 2004, aware of our peoples effort to build harmony after so many years of war and suffering.” The President concluded saying, “We have the duty to work hard, to continue our path and use the next 5 to 10 years to uplift Timor Leste and transform our land into a symbol and example of the miracle performed by Peace, Harmony and Unity in improving the life of the peoples.”

Interview with 3100 Mile-Champion Grahak Cunningham

BY NICK GALVIN, The Sydney Morning Herald

One june morning at 6am, Grahak Cunningham set off for a jog around the block in the New York borough of Queens. It was a lovely day for a run – dry and not too hot. He ran up 168th Street, along Grand Central Parkway, then down 164th Street and along 84th Avenue back to his starting point. A circuit of exactly 883 metres. Then he did it again. And again. For the next 43 days he ran that same circuit 18 hours a day, 5649 times, until he had covered a total distance of 4989 kilometres. At the end, a small crowd greeted him and there was a brief celebration. A few people sang. He had won the 2012 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, the world’s longest – and possibly strangest – foot race.

We arrange to meet up in Sydney. Cunningham is coming over from his Perth home for a speaking engagement, using his achievements to talk up the virtues of persistence and dedication to corporate warriors. “Let’s go for a run,” he suggests and we arrange a rendezvous at Darling Harbour. Initially, we have trouble finding each other as Cunningham scarcely stands out among the scores of lunchtime joggers. When we eventually connect he turns out to be a little below middling height, with sandy hair, bright blue eyes and startlingly white teeth that he shows often in an easy smile. He looks younger than his 34 years and has none of the classic, gaunt features of most ultra runners. Cunningham is an easy running companion. Not too fast, not too slow. Very consistent. Presumably, you learn not to go out too hard when you’ve got 5000 kilometres ahead of you.

“I’m just an average runner,” he says as we jog around the fish markets. “I’m not super-fast or particularly talented. If anyone puts their heart and soul into a project then they can get to the finish. I just had a bit of faith in myself.” This is the first in a series of “Aw, shucks!” pronouncements that from anyone else would be grating, false modesty. But it seems quite natural and heartfelt. Cunningham grew up in Busselton, south of Perth, and although his was an “idyllic” outdoor childhood (“Computers weren’t the be-all and end-all then”), he did very little running. “I just avoided it really,” he says. “Mainly I liked football, surfing, tennis and squash. I wasn’t brought up spiritual or anything, either. Although Mum and Dad were pretty open. Mum used to do yoga and a bit of meditation when she was younger.” It was only when he was about 16 and stressed with school exams that his mother took him along to a meditation class, ultimately setting him on the path that would eventually lead to that city block in Queens. At university, he began attending classes at a Sri Chinmoy centre. He felt at home there, so at home that he adopted the name Grahak (a Sanskrit word meaning “eagerness”) in place of his birth name, Stuart.

Sri Chinmoy was a spiritual leader born in present-day Bangladesh. He died in 2007 and, as gurus go, attracted relatively little controversy, despite his high profile. He placed an unusual emphasis on feats of physical endurance as a path to self-awareness, staging the first of his quirky around-the-block ultra-distance runs in 1996. Already running marathons and longer distances and getting ever more deeply involved in Chinmoy’s teachings, Cunningham first witnessed the New York race in 2003. “I could see the pain the runners were going through and the monotony, the blisters and the swollen feet, but when they were coming through the finish you could see a sparkle in their eyes that they had done something momentous. “I knew I was going to do that race one day. Sri Chinmoy asked me a couple of times whether I’d done his longest race. I think he was giving me the clue to have a go at it, so I applied to enter in 2007.” Runners must complete at least 80 kilometres each day to avoid disqualification. “A few days into the race I realised what I had got myself into,” says Cunningham. “You’re running on cement from 6am to midnight every day. You have 51 days to finish and once you start there is no turning back. It’s really frowned upon to pull out. I just had to do everything I could do to keep going forwards. “I’ve never been in that much agony before in my life. I’d wake up in the night to go to the bathroom and almost crawl to get there. My feet swelled to twice their size. But even though I was in physical pain, for some reason I was really, really happy.”

That first year, he averaged 99 kilometres a day over 50 days and swore never to do it again. Last year was his fourth time and he ticked off the distance in just 43 days, with daylight between him and the other finishers. He ran nearly 115 kilometres every day. Having run around the same block more than 22,500 times, Cunningham is on intimate terms with every crack in the pavement. And even the smallest distraction can turn the mind away from the pain and boredom. “Guys twist the top of a particular fire hydrant when they run past, like a Buddhist prayer wheel,” he says. “The other thing is there is a gate latch that you lift as you go past and it makes a nice ‘donging’ sound.” Several times I try to get to the heart of the most obvious question – why put yourself through such monotonous torture? But while there is nothing evasive in his answers, it’s clear he finds it hard to articulate a response: “When you finish it’s almost like a dream,” he says. “You think, ‘How did I do that? How did I run 114 kilometres a day for 43 days straight?’ ” Easier for him to answer is whether he will return to 164th Street: “Maybe in a couple of years,” he says. “I think I could get it down to 42 days.”

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au / Photo by Frances Andrijich