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Article on Temple Song Hearts concert in France

Photos from French Tour at Sri Chinmoy Centre

"It was and still is obvious that Sri Chinmoy's weightlifting was not really about a strong man trying to get stronger. It was really about a great Spiritual Master who had a dynamic approach to faith in God and tried to include as many people as were inspired to participate in his efforts to show how important and real this faith is for all of us in our own lives. His lifting of seemingly impossible weights, objects and subjects was a dramatically convincing way to show us how any of us, even a small Indian Yogi, can work toward achieving what only seems impossible to our minds if we use our faith and hearts of Oneness."

You can also view a new site on Sri Chinmoy's weightlifting - Inspiration Lifts

Puppet Show of Akbar and Birbal

Birbal (aka Premamrita) greeting children to the puppet show about the life of Akbar and Birbal.

For more details please vist Celebration of Light at Sri Chinmoy Centre by Suswara.

An introduction to the 2006 edition of the 3100 Mile Race.

"On a cool June 11th morning, the longest foot race in the World started in New York City. A record 15 runners from 10 countries entered the event, which is being held for the tenth time. Participants have 51 days to complete the distance. Circling a large city block in Queens, they can run from 6 in the morning until midnight each night...."

Video by: Utpal Marshall. Originally published Sri Chinmoy TV

• Sweetness-Smile and Thunder-Drum a poetic offering at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Group by Michael

• Father's Day at Aspiration Ground by Sharani at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Group

• Rupantar final comments
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3 runners

Some Photos taken During the Run

One of the national animals of Australia - the Koala

The beauty of the setting Australian sun

• Australian World Harmony Run
• The US Harmony Run Begins in New York
• Uluru - Ayers Rock, visited on the Australian WHR

Kids To Kids programme

Kids receiving toys in Angola

One initiative of the Oneness Heart Tears and Smiles programme is the initiative to link children from developed countries with children who have experienced poverty or natural disasters. This programme is more than just sharing material aid. It seeks to develop friendship between children of very different cultures.

• Kids to Kids programmes

Amongst the many performers included Roberta Additywa Flack, pictured above.

Premik Russell Tubs and Shambu Vineburg

Other performers included:

• Philip Glass,
• Steve Gorn

Photos by Ashirvad and Jowan Gauthier

See Jowan's photo gallery - Songs of the Soul

Music of Sri Chinmoy at Radio Sri Chinmoy

You can see some of the articles online at: Inspiration Sun

Photo from: Guru's Prescence in Siddhartha Becomes the Buddha

Entry at Martin Doyle's blog

Sitar player Sheema Mukherjee,

The promotion of the concert was a great success, with the Royal Albert Hall, full on the night with approximately 5,000 people inside. This included over 350 members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, who had come from around the world, including America, Australia and many European countries.

The View from the back of the Royal Albert Hall

Amongst the songs, performed included 2 dedicated to Sri Chinmoy written by Purushottama.

(Listen to - The Guru Song (Birds in the Garden) (from: Radio Sri Chinmoy)

The final song was a soulful and inspiring bhajan dedicated to Saraswati.

At The End of the Concert - Purushottama with Pete Cooper

World Harmony Run

During the concert, there was a short presentation of the World Harmony Run Team, who were currently in London, the World Harmony Run song, was sung during the concert.

World Harmony Run Team on Stage.

The concert was again organised by the Sri Chinmoy Centre. In particular, the two brothers Sahadeva Torpy and Devashishu Torpy were instrumental in bringing together the musicians and promoting the concert. The even was sponsored by specialist running shop, Run and Become.

A team of volunteers also worked on a unique stage design, featuring statues of Ganesh and Saraswati.

Programme Notes By Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov

"To My Dearest Teacher

Sri Chinmoy would always say: Musicians bring Heaven down to earth. Well, I would then say that he was a musician of the highest order. He made everyday life music, he brought down Heaven into this life on a 24-hour basis, he made the Supreme shine through everything..."

• Grebenshikov Concert
• Grebenshikov Concert at the United Nations
• Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov at Sumangali.org
• Photos of Sri Chinmoy by Pavitrata

Photos of concert by: Piyasi Morris and Pavitrata Taylor

At the top of the Mountain, there was an informal ceremony with people holding the torch and sharing their wishes for World Harmony.

Sri Chinmoy founded the World Harmony Run in 1986; many other natural monuments and landmarks have also been dedicated to world peace and harmony, such as this Sri Chinmoy Harmony Bridge in Austria and Slovenia

See also:

WHR report of Mount Snowden Dedication

Peace Runner race Mount Snowdon Train at Welsh Post

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

Video of 6 Day Race

Video by Bhuvah.

• Daily Results for 10 Day Race
• 6 and 10 Race at Sri Chinmoy Races
• Time for Plan B - The Race goes on in all conditions 'the weather isn't bad it's overwhelming' - article by Utpal
• Interview with Madhupran the current leader (after day 5 with an impressive 458 miles already). Madhupran, who once said he had retired from multiday running, explains why he was motivated to run to honor, Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the race.
• 2008 10 Day Race at Multidays

• 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.

Eric S Peterson gave a short address about the World Harmony Run and the symbolic importance of the Statue of Liberty, an important symbol of hope for the world. Peterson, closed with the words of World Harmony Run founder, Sri Chinmoy

"O Polestar Statue of Liberty!
Earth-heart's pinnacle-Divinity.
America's proudest Vision-pride-
Her Beauty's cosmos-fragrance-ride-
Freedom-smile-bestower is your Soul.
World-peace-hunger's
Nectar-flooded Goal."

The runners, from many different countries, then ran a short distance of 4 miles to Dag Hammarskjold plaza outside the United Nations for the official opening ceremony.

Many people came to offer their good wishes for the World Harmony Run, before its epic travails through the US. Some of those who came to offer support for the run included: Billie Jean King, New York philanthropist Russell Simmons, Sister Madonna Buder, first lady of New York Diana Taylor and many others who kindly offered musical tributes.

For more details on the launch of the International World Harmony run, visit here: International Launch of World Harmony Run 

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