The value of meditation in a stressful job
Garga Chamberlain
Garga works as a supervisor in a call centre, a job where he frequently has to interact with callers who are angry and upset. He explains how his meditation helps him understand and communicate with upset callers, and gives him a sense of inner peace and detachment that helps him remain unaffected.
Getting through difficult times in your meditation
Banshidhar Medeiros
All spiritual seekers go through high and low points in their journey of self-discovery. When going through a 'dry' period, Banshidhar recommends to always have a 'never give up' attitude, and to have an awareness of how fleeting time is.
Running a Six-Day Race
Ratuja Zub
Multiday races are one of the ways in which Sri Chinmoy's students challenge themselves. Ratuja describes how her experiences during the race changed, and she reached a point where "there comes a time when there is only the road, you, and your soul".
Self-transcendence in meditation
Kailash Beyer
Kailash, a long-time student of Sri Chinmoy, explains how constant self-transcendence is essential in the spiritual life - "if you want to have a deeper meditation, you need to grow into a deeper kind of personality, and in order to do that we have to transcend ourselves."
'I don't think I was really a strong candidate for an Eastern spiritual path'
Vasudha from San Diego talks about she how first heard about Sri Chinmoy through one of his books. She explains how she began a practice of meditation and what she liked about following a spiritual path.
Running in rhythm with the heart
“Running in rhythm with the heart” is a new book about one woman's dream to enter and finish the world’s longest running race – the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race.
The book written by Jayasalini explains the preparation, training and epic 52 days of running around a single block in Jamaica, Queens, New York. The book gives an insight into the physical, mental and spiritual challenges which face any runner who takes on this race, often dubbed "The Everest of distance running." For keen runners, it will be of great interest to see how the body and mind cope when pushed to the limit; and for non-runners, it will give a unique insight into a remarkable adventure and the potential of the human spirit.
The book is split into numerous chapters, which give the reader an idea of the many experiences and tribulations which the runners go through. These chapters range from - remedies for injuries - to the friendships made with locals who pass by on the course. While giving an overview of the serious challenges faced in the race, it is also a celebration of running and the ideal of self-transcendence – it is an experience of a lifetime squeezed into 52 days.
“Running is a real meditation: rhythmical breathing and repeated movements help the mind leave its endless flow of thoughts. The inner space begins to exist only for the depth of a silent ocean inside and for the heart’s joy.”
P. 136 “Running in rhythm with the heart”, (2017) Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh
Q.A with the author - Jayasalini
How did you find the process of writing this book?
I truly enjoy writing. Having returned home after the 3100-mile race one day a beautiful image appeared. I saw that a few years before this race was like a distant star which seemed to be the most beautiful one in the entire Universe, its beauty called me like anything else… I sat to write down this image. The book starts with an essay depicting exactly this experience.
Later I continued writing down some of my memories on the race. I was doing it for myself without any idea of publishing a book. I was writing because I could experience everything again - appreciating every detail of the race. Sometime later I felt a strong urge to share the experience with others, because it could not belong only to myself, it had to be shared.
Completing the book took longer than the duration of the race! To steadily move towards the goal, I committed to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day on writing/editing the book. It worked! I missed only a couple of days and felt extremely happy to see the progress; it was like watching the birth of a new creation.
The book was first published in Russian and then translated into English. Like the race itself - where many volunteers participate in setting-up the event - publishing the book was a real team work. It would not have happened without many contributing to the design, editing, proof-reading and translating. I am very grateful for the support of everyone.
What was the most memorable aspect of race / or most significant chapter in the book?
The most precious experience for me was the feeling of being guided by the unseen hand and a feeling of complete oneness with all higher forces that aided me in during the 52 days of the race, but also the time before and after the race. Being there I had to find this oneness, to stay in a flow and be receptive to the flow. It was an amazing feeling, and since the race is the real projection of our life I feel that our entire life can become this flow. I tried to describe it in the book through different inspirational stories.
Do you have plans to do the race again in the future?
Exactly this question is answered at the very end of the book, so let me invite you to start reading from the very beginning and to enjoy the entire journey.
Jayasalini is a student of Sri Chinmoy from Moscow, Russia. She completed the 2014 edition of the 3100 Mile Race in a time of 51 days, 12 hours and 31 minutes. She was the first female Russian athlete to complete the race, and she was the youngest female to complete the race (and, at the time, only the 5th women to finish)
Video with Jayasalini talking about the race
- Running in rhythm with the heart at Amazon.com
- Final results of 2014 Race
August Celebrations 2017
August Celebrations was very good. Amongst the usual program of functions, concerts and annual marathon, there were a few anniversaries, which included the 40th anniversary of:
- Guru’s tennis,
- Everest Aspiration
- Founding of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.
Sri Chinmoy playing tennis
It was good to hear older disciples talk about their experiences and reminiscences from these days. It evoked a feeling of when the Master was in the physical be it playing tennis, giving extemporaneous talks or running the streets of Queens and encouraging others to do the same.
A spiritual Master comes to sow spiritual seeds; seeds which usually take many years, if not centuries to fully germinate and sprout. Perhaps in centuries to come, there will be a widespread reverence for the immortal talks of Everest Aspiration and wonderment a spiritual Master spent so many hours on a tennis court.
But, while some aspects of Guru’s mission may take many years to come to the fore, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has been quick to offer a real contribution to the world of sporting endeavour. In 1977, ultra running was very much in its infancy; who could have predicted 40 years later, we would would see the 20th edition of a 3100 Mile race?
One video I liked was a portrayal of Snatak entitled “The Seeker”. As you may know, Snatak has a form of motor neurone disease. Despite increasing physical challenges, which would confine most people to their house, Snatak has been a glowing and inspiring presence on many events from the Christmas Trip to every celebrations. Snatak is a powerful example of how spiritual faith can overcome the limitations of the physical existence. It is also perhaps a gentle reminder that our excuses for not been able to travel, pale into insignificance when you consider barriers overcome by Snatak and team.
Oneness-Dream, a singing group dedicated to songs of Sri Chinmoy, is the creation of Snatak. This is a slideshow from a recent tour in Tuscany, Italy.
Apart from these notable events and anniversaries, celebrations is a welcome opportunity to revitalise your practice of meditation and catch up with friends old and new. The only difficulty is the contrast of coming back to your everyday world - where the pressures of the world re-appear, but that reminder of a more tangible feeling of spiritual consciousness from celebrations is a welcome boost to keep you going until the next opportunity.
Photo top right: Kedar
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