On a recent visit to Europe, Ashrita succeeded in breaking two Guinness World Records, despite gaining 7 pounds, (courtesy of Italian ice cream.)

Ashrita's first record was for the most jumps on a pogo stick in one minute. Ashrita  managed to break the record, completing 256 valid jumps in one minute, adding an extra 12 jumps to the previous record of 234. (This works out at over 4 jumps per second). The record was set to the backdrop of the famous coliseum in Rome.

Ashrita's second successful attempt was in Munich, at the Impossibility Challenger event. This involved running a sub eight minute mile on stilts.

The Impossibility Challenger event is held annually in Munich and involves a diverse range of feats of self transcendence. Previous challenges have involved, the longest continual laughing, playing music for 24 hours non stop, and riding a bicycle the wrong way. Often the event attracts quite a few Guinness World Record attempts.

For an entertaining read of Ashrita's battle against impossibility, Italian Gelato and pastries see his own blog entry - Worth the Weight

On Monday May 19th, the legendary Russian musician Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, will be performing with an international ensemble of musicians at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert is dedicated to Maestro Sri Chinmoy.

Some of the Other Musicians who will be playing with BG include:

• Flautist Brian Finnegan and bodhrán player John Joe Kelly from award-winning Anglo-Irish band Flook. John-Joe has been described as "the best bodhrán player in the known universe"
• Sitar player Sheema Mukherjee, who learnt her art from the Indian legends Pandit Nikhil Bannerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan...
• Sarangi player Maria Pomianowska - a multi instrument maestro equally adept at playing Eastern instruments and those of her native Poland.
• More on the Musicians who will be performing in the concert

Since meeting Sri Chinmoy in Feb 2006, Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov has developed a close relationship with Sri Chinmoy. There was a mutual appreciation between two kindred musical spirits. Purushottama, meaning "the one who is beyond all limitations", is a spiritual name given by Sri Chinmoy. During his life in the West, Sri Chinmoy was also a prolific musician performing in over 800 concerts, including 6 at the Royal Albert Hall.

After first meeting Sri Chinmoy, Purushottama composed a song in honour of Sri Chinmoy, called "There are birds in the Garden". Listen: "There are Birds in the Garden"

In September 2007, he performed a concert at the United Nations building in New York, a concert which Sri Chinmoy introduced. Listen to full performance at United Nations...

In this interview at Sri Chinmoy TV, Purushottama explains how meditation has inspired his musical output.

Interview with Boris Grebenshikov

Press play to start video (bottom left) needs Apple quick Time

• For details of Concert and to obtain free tickets visit Grebenshikov Concert

Earlier in the Month, a similar concert - Songs of the Soul was offered in New York, by many musicians including Philip Glass, Roberta Flack, Steve Gorn and Samir Chatterjee.

April 13th, 2008, marked the 44th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy's arrival in the West. Sri Chinmoy arrived in New York, USA on April 13th 1964.

2008, was also the first celebration since Sri Chinmoy's mahasamadhi in October 2007.

To commemorate the arrival of Sri Chinmoy in the West, for many years, disciples have taken part in a 12 hour race walk. I believe in earlier years, Sri Chinmoy himself took part in the 12 hour walk.

Many of Sri Chinmoy's students were in New York for the celebrations. Also, those from other countries who could not travel, took part in events in their own countries. For example, disciples in Mongolia arranged a 12 hour walk, with 45 people participating.

See more photos at Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Utpal Marshall gives an account of celebrations through his blog post on Departures Day

Picture top by: Sharani