Posts by Yatkara

News #98: Auckland Half-Marathon Series Race 8 – Pure Joy!

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Auckland Half-Marathon Series

Another beautiful chapter of the Auckland Half-Marathon Series unfolded on Sunday, 23 November 2025. Runners gathered at the peaceful War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill under a soft, cloudy sky. A warm late-spring breeze greeted everyone. Even with a 10-minute late start, smiles never faded. The beloved trio of half-marathon, 12 km and 6 km distances welcomed every kind of participant – from speedy racers chasing personal bests to happy families and giggling children enjoying their first event.

Why the Auckland Half-Marathon Series Feels So Special

First, the park offers flat, shaded loops on the famous Lovelock Track – perfect for relaxed running or fast racing. Second, volunteers cheer with genuine warmth and quiet encouragement. Finally, the atmosphere stays calm and meditative from start to finish. All of this blends into the perfect recipe for joyful running. Many regulars smile and say they come not just for the run, but for the quiet peace they always carry home.

Half-Marathon – Strong Performances

Mark Andrew powered to a clear victory in 1:32:54, followed by Vince Sesto (1:36:45) and Thomas Milliken (1:40:21). In the women’s race, ultra-legend Susan Marshall – who once finished the incredible 3,100-mile Self-Transcendence Race – showed her timeless strength with a winning 1:53:02. Melissa Kjestrup (1:58:24) and Kirsty Sesto (2:00:15) completed a happy podium. Runners spoke afterwards about how the peaceful park setting helped them find a smooth, flowing rhythm.

12 km & 6 km – Speed, Smiles and Family Moments

Melanie James flew to an impressive outright victory in the 12 km with 59:42, while TK Higuchi led the men in 1:03:06. The 6 km brought pure delight: Christopher Rawles sprinted to first place in 29:06, proudly followed by his dad Stephen (36:21). Larissa Wildsmith topped the women in 31:36, with Liz Hardley (36:15) and Melissa Stewart (42:11) enjoying every step. The shorter distances are always full of children, grandparents and first-timers discovering the simple happiness of moving together outdoors.

A Global Family of Peaceful Races

Since Sri Chinmoy founded the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in 1977, members of the SCMT have lovingly organised more than 500 events worldwide every year. Auckland’s monthly series is one of the longest-running anywhere. Auckland’s monthly series has been going strong for decades. Whether you race the half-marathon or take the 6 km at your own pace, the same warm, open-hearted feeling is there for everyone. Race 8 at War Memorial Park reminded everyone why they keep coming back: beautiful places, kind people and the gentle feeling that, for a couple of hours, the world is exactly as it should be.

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For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #97: Sydney’s Royal National Park Trail Magic 2025 – New Records!

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Royal National Park Trail 2025 – joyful run under Sydney sunshine

The Royal National Park delivered its famous magic once again on Sunday, 16 November 2025. Just 32 km south of Sydney, Australia’s oldest national park welcomed runners for the classic Sri Chinmoy marathon, half-marathon, 10 km and 5 km trail races. Perfect spring weather, friendly volunteers and breathtaking scenery created the special feeling that makes this event so loved.

5 km – Young Stars Steal the Show

Xavier Brown (U17) flew to a new course record of 18:47. Twelve-year-old Emma Felsman smashed a 9-year-old record with 22:35 and finished 3rd overall – beating her father Marcus by 43 seconds!

Half-Marathon & 10 km Highlights

Greta Truscott dominated the women’s half-marathon in 1:31:28, while Matthew Geleta led the men in 1:20:40. Veteran runner Qiang Richard Zhang set a stunning new M60-69 record of 1:39:11.

Marathon – Running Together, Finishing Together

Luke Jeffery led the men in 3:03:46, and Alexandra Dunn-Delvaen took the women’s title in 3:42:49. The day’s most touching moment came when Nadene Sermon and her son Jared crossed the line together in 5:12:57.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team – 50 Years of Self-Transcendence Around the World

These races are organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (SCMT), founded in 1977 by spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy himself. What began as a handful of runners in New York has grown into one of the world’s largest independent race organisations, staging over 500 events each year across more than 30 countries.

From the iconic Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race in New York (the world’s longest certified footrace) to peaceful park runs in London, Tokyo, Zurich, Bali and Auckland, the SCMT offers distances from 2 miles to multi-day ultras. Every event is run completely by volunteers and carries Sri Chinmoy’s simple message: “Run and become; become and run.” There are no sponsors, no commercial pressure – just the joy of going beyond yesterday’s self.

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) was not only a spiritual master but also an enthusiastic athlete. He encouraged his students to discover inner peace through outer movement, and he himself completed several marathons and ultra-distance events in his later years. Today, thousands of runners worldwide continue his vision of sport as a path to harmony and happiness.

Whether you prefer peaceful forest trails, friendly city-park runs, or the challenge of a 3100-mile ultra, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has a race for you – and every single one carries the same open-hearted, meditative spirit you felt at Royal National Park.

Download Full Results: Every Finish, Every Triumph

Relive the excitement of the Royal National Park Trail Runs with these detailed PDF results! Organized by age and gender categories, they capture every runner’s journey—from the speedy young champions in the 5km to the enduring marathon heroes. Perfect for checking your time, celebrating friends, or planning next year. All files are from the official Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team archives.

Race Photos: Capture the Joy & Scenery

See the smiles, sweat, and stunning bushland through the lens! This gallery from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team photographers showcases runners conquering trails, families cheering at the finish, and the timeless beauty of Royal National Park under Sydney’s spring sun. Scroll for action shots, podium moments, and that unbeatable post-race glow.

  • View Full Race Photo Gallery – Hundreds of high-res images from all distances. Download favorites or tag yourself for memories that last.

These resources let you dive deeper into the Royal National Park Trail magic—congrats to all who ran, volunteered, or cheered! Ready for more? Check upcoming events on the Sri Chinmoy site.

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Video #332: Meditative Classical Music Concert | Vienna 2025

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Meditative classical music fills the air in this beautiful live recording from Vienna, Austria, on 14 October 2025. The renowned Gandharva Quartet – Shamita Achenbach-König (cello), Stephan Achenbach (violin), Bhoiravi Achenbach (violin), and Vapushtara Jongepier (piano) – brings Sri Chinmoy’s heart-melodies to life with rare warmth and precision.

The Magic of Meditative Classical Music

These melodies do more than sound beautiful. They calm the mind and open the heart. Sri Chinmoy’s songs blend Eastern feeling with Western harmony. Therefore, every note feels like a quiet prayer. In this cozy Vienna hall, the music flows gently and invites deep peace.

Gandharva Quartet – One Family, One Soul

The four musicians have played together for many years. Consequently, their interplay feels effortless. Shamita’s cello grounds everything with its rich tone. Stephan and daughter Bhoiravi add soaring violin lines. Vapushtara’s sensitive piano completes the picture. Together, they create meditative classical music that touches the soul.

Sri Chinmoy – Composer of the Heart

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) wrote more than 23,000 songs. He saw music as the inner language of God. He gave nearly 800 free Peace Concerts worldwide, including several in Vienna. Today, groups like the Gandharva Quartet keep his light alive.

Why This Concert Feels So Needed Today

In our busy world, meditative classical music offers true rest. Many listeners say tension simply melts away. Others feel a spacious joy that stays with them. Play it in the morning to start softly, or in the evening to unwind. Let the music carry you home.

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Video #331: Understanding Maya – The Great Illusion Explained | Ancient Wisdom Thoughts Podcast, Episode 27

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Understanding Maya is the heart of this warm and insightful episode of the Ancient Wisdom Thoughts Podcast. Abhinabha from the Netherlands and Vajin from New Zealand, both students of Sri Chinmoy, sit down for a relaxed yet profound conversation that makes one of the deepest ideas in Indian philosophy feel close and alive.

What Maya Actually Is

Most people hear “Maya = illusion” and think it means the world is fake. The truth is more beautiful. Maya is the creative power of the Divine that projects the One into the many. It is the cosmic artist who paints the entire universe and then makes us believe we are only the tiny figures inside the painting. Without Maya, there would be no creation, no play, no adventure of the soul.

The Matrix – A Modern Key to Understanding Maya

Few metaphors work as perfectly as the 1999 film ‘The Matrix’. When Neo takes the red pill and wakes up in the real world, he experiences exactly what the ancient sages described: the sudden revelation that everyday reality is a dream superimposed on something far vaster. Abhinabha and Vajin laugh about how often runners and meditators have their own “red-pill moments” – a sudden glimpse of oneness that changes everything afterwards.

Maya in Sri Chinmoy’s Teachings

Sri Chinmoy never asked his students to reject the world. Instead, he taught that Maya is a temporary classroom. Life is real, feelings are real, joy and sorrow are real – they are simply seen through a limited lens. Through regular meditation, singing soulful songs, running long distances, or offering selfless service, we gradually polish that lens until the light of the soul shines through clearly. The goal is not escape, but transformation.

Sri Aurobindo’s Revolutionary View

The conversation then turns to Sri Aurobindo, who offered a gentle correction to the classical “world is illusion” idea of Shankara. For Sri Aurobindo, Matter itself is Brahman – the Divine in disguise. Maya is not something evil to be destroyed; it is consciousness that has forgotten its own divinity. The spiritual journey, therefore, is evolutionary: we bring more and more light down into the body, the emotions, even the cells, until earth becomes a place where the Divine can live openly.

Personal Experiences That Make Maya Real

Both hosts share stories that every listener can recognise. Vajin describes moments during an ultra-marathon when the sense of a separate “I” simply dissolved and only vast peace remained. Abhinabha recalls sitting in meditation and suddenly feeling the room, the city, the planet as one living being. These are not rare mystical events – they are natural glimpses once Maya’s grip loosens even a little.

Why Understanding Maya Matters Right Now

In an age of endless distraction, endless comparison, and endless fear, understanding Maya becomes practical medicine. Every time we choose gratitude over complaint, presence over worry, or kindness over judgment, we weaken the illusion of separation. Little by little, the veil lifts, and life feels lighter, brighter, more meaningful.

The episode closes on a hopeful note: Maya is not our enemy. She is the Divine Mother playing hide-and-seek with Her children. When we finally “find” Her with love and surrender, the game does not end – it becomes infinitely more joyful because now we play consciously.

Whether you are completely new to Eastern philosophy or have been meditating for decades, this heartfelt conversation will leave you with fresh inspiration and a quiet smile of recognition.

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For more information about events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoycentre.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

Week 232: I Love Singing

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This week features four uplifting Sri Chinmoy Bengali songs from the Alpha and Omega songbook. Over the years, Sri Chinmoy composed music filled with aspiration and gratitude, creating heartfelt melodies that gently illuminate his spiritual path. Because of their simplicity and warmth, the songs continue to speak directly to the inner heart. Additionally, they offer listeners a peaceful doorway into his meditative world.

The performances this week come from his disciple Purnakama, whose sincere and gentle voice brings out the devotional sweetness in every line. Through her recordings, it becomes easy to settle into a calm, meditative mood and appreciate the purity of the music. As a result, whether you choose to sing along or simply listen quietly, these Sri Chinmoy Bengali songs can add a soft, elevating joy to your week.

Below are the four songs featured in this week’s selection:

Songs

  • Prabhu Kripa karo Prabhu Khama Karo
  • Mor Jibane Mor Marane Jachi Kebal Taba
  • Karuna Hriday Hate Chahi Ami Karuna
  • Hriday Jahar Nai Shanti Tahar Nai

Listen & Learn

You can learn by watching the notation while listening, follow along with the melody, or download both the audio and the PDF scores for your personal practice. Everything is available for free, so you can learn at your own pace and enjoy the music more deeply. Use the links below to easily listen to the audio, download the recordings, and view or download the PDF sheet music for your convenience:

Track1
Track2
Track3
Track4
Song Scores

 

Lyrics:

1. Prabhu Kripa karo Prabhu Khama Karo

Prabhu kripa karo prabhu khama karo
Prabhu dharo hat mor.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook

2. Mor Jibane Mor Marane Jachi Kebal Taba

Mor jibane mor marane
Jachi kebal taba karuna.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook

3. Karuna Hriday Hate Chahi Ami Karuna

Karuna hriday hate chahi ami
Karuna hriday.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook

4. Hriday Jahar Nai Shanti Tahar Nai

Hriday jahar nai
Shanti tahar nai.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook


For more of Sri Chinmoy’s published songs, visit the official website: www.srichinmoysongs.com.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

© 2025 Sri Chinmoy Centre