News #95: ‘Listen to Nature’ at Miami Book Fair – A Quiet Call for Earth and Spirit

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Listen the Nature booth at Miami Book Fair 2025

From November 16 to 23, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Centre of Miami set up a gentle Listen to Nature booth at the Miami Book Fair. This is one of the largest literary gatherings in the United States.

Listen to Nature: A Place to Pause

The fair is always full of energy. Thousands of visitors move between hundreds of booths and talks. Yet, in the middle of it all, the Listen to Nature space offered stillness. Many people stopped by simply because it felt peaceful.

The Sri Chinmoy Centre of Miami joined the fair to share a few of Sri Chinmoy’s books. Over eight days, visitors from different countries quietly browsed. Some asked questions. Others stayed longer to read.

Listen to Nature — A Book Rooted in Love for the Earth

Listen to Nature: Living in Harmony with the Earth appeared in 2021. It gathers Sri Chinmoy’s poems, answers, meditations, and reflections from decades of talks and earlier writings. Everything is arranged by theme. As a result, the book flows gently and invites meditation on our bond with nature.

The volume includes:

  • poems from earlier collections,
  • short aphorisms and prose passages,
  • spiritual thoughts on environmental care,
  • answers to questions from seekers, scholars, and UN officials,
  • simple exercises to meditate on trees, rivers, silence, and the Earth.

Jane Goodall wrote the foreword. Professor Kusumita Pedersen wrote the introduction. Together, they create an accessible bridge between spirituality and today’s ecological concerns.

At the booth, visitors also found other Sri Chinmoy titles on meditation, poetry, and the inner life. This gave a fuller picture of his creative legacy.

Sri Chinmoy — A Voice of Peace and Oneness

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) taught meditation and wrote over 1,600 books. He was also a poet, musician, and artist who dedicated his life to world harmony. Above all, he encouraged inner peace and love for all living beings.

Nature has its own rhythm, its own harmony, its own peace and joy.

– Sri Chinmoy, Meditation: man’s choice and God’s Voice, part 1

A Quiet Corner of the Fair

The Miami Book Fair takes place each year in downtown Miami. It brings together publishers, authors, and tens of thousands of readers. Amid the lively crowds and bright displays, the Listen to Nature booth became a gentle refuge. Here, people could pause, breathe, and feel the link between inner peace and the living Earth.

Some visitors loved the simplicity. Others were touched by its care for the Earth. Many discovered Sri Chinmoy’s lifelong work for peace and service for the first time.

Several people said how refreshing it was to find such a calm corner. A few called it “a breath of fresh air.” Others simply smiled, nodded, and carried the quiet feeling with them.

The Sri Chinmoy Centre of Miami enjoyed the fair very much. Therefore, they hope to join similar events again. After all, the simplest things — a book, a smile, a moment of silence — can touch a heart.

More about Listen to Nature and Sri Chinmoy

Video #330: Sri Chinmoy “News Report” – with a Smile

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This playful “News Report” takes you through some remarkable moments with the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (SCMT) – celebrating extraordinary endurance, global heart, and good-humoured community spirit.

Triathlon in Canberra: Not Your Average Swim

At 5:30 AM, athletes in Canberra, Australia, dove into the Sri Chinmoy Triple-Triathlon, a 150 km off-road extravaganza. Picture this: three full triathlons back-to-back, swimming in three different lakes, biking up and down ten peaks, and running all over the city. Solo competitors and teams competed, all sharing one goal – pushing their boundaries, then doing it again. The “Stuffed Puffs” won top honors, while the “Diggers” came in second – and yes, they joked that Australia’s dangerous wildlife couldn’t catch them.

Sri Chinmoy News Report - Sri Chinmoy Triple-Triathlon in Canberra, Australia

Vasanti Niemz and the Iconic Manhattan Swim

Meanwhile, Vasanti Niemz of Germany took on the legendary 20 Bridges Challenge – a 48.5 km swim around Manhattan Island. She navigated three tidal rivers – the East, Harlem, and Hudson – in conditions that most would call “completely crazy.” Despite it all, she completed the swim in 9 hours 34 minutes. She cheerfully suggested that 27 bridges would be more meaningful than 20, and even pressed New York’s mayor to build a few more.

Sri Chinmoy News Report - Vasanti Niemz 48.5 km swim around Manhattan Island - 9 hours 34 minutes

Shamita Runs Across Europe, London Goes 24-Hour

On the running side, Shamita Achenbach-König, a musician from Vienna, ran 2,000 km from Vienna to Oslo, crossing several countries for friendship and harmony. Back in the UK, SCMT’s 24-hour race in London brought runners together for a full weekend – laps, laughter, and the shared joy of endurance.

Sri Chinmoy News Report - Shamita runs across Europe 2000 km, Vienna - Oslo

And in other cities – Munich, Salzburg, San Diego – 6-hour races added to the global mix. In San Diego, the race got a surprise visitor: a large rattlesnake allegedly finished (at 5.2 mi) and helped itself to 80% of the race snacks. (Yes, that part’s playful.)

Sri Chinmoy News Report - Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race - Amstelveen, Netherlands

Why This Report Connects with Everyone

This “News Report” works because it makes extraordinary feats feel familiar. By pairing real SCMT achievements with playful commentary, it invites a wide audience — not just ultrarunners – to marvel at what people can do when they combine heart, discipline, and a little humour.

Whether you’re inspired by long-distance triathlons, open-water swims, or cross-continental runs, this video shows that the Sri Chinmoy community is about more than athleticism. It’s about connection, self-transcendence, and uplifting one another – values that resonate far beyond any finish line.

Learn More About These Incredible Stories

If you’re curious to explore more about the events mentioned:

Featured News

  • News #61: Vasanti Niemz Completes 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan – Read more
  • News #66: The 18th Annual Self-Transcendence 4/21 km Race – Erdenet, Mongolia, September 13, 2025 – Read more
  • News #67: The 12th Annual Sri Chinmoy Peace-Mile 6-Hour Race – Munich, Germany, September 13, 2025 – Read more
  • News #71: Self-Transcendence 24-Hour Track Race – London, United Kingdom – Read more
  • News #73: Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race – Amstelveen, Netherlands – Read more
  • News #92: Inspiring Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race in San Diego 2025 – Read more
  • News #93: Sri Chinmoy Triple-Triathlon in Canberra – A Day of Endurance, Teamwork and Inspiration – Read more

Featured Videos

  • Video #314: Shamita Achenbach-König’s Solo Run – Vienna to Oslo – A cross-continental journey for harmony – Watch video
  • Video #316: Swimming 20 Bridges Around Manhattan for Peace – Vasanti Sets Record – An aquatic odyssey around New York City – Watch video

More Information

To explore upcoming Sri Chinmoy races: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy: www.srichinmoy.org.

 

Video #329: Epic Spirit – Sri Chinmoy Paris Ultra 50 km & 100 km

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A Spirit of Self-Transcendence in Paris Woods

The Sri Chinmoy Paris Ultra – 50 km & 100 km event on July 19, 2025, was a remarkable celebration of endurance, harmony, and inner strength in the beautiful Bois de Vincennes. At 8:00 AM, 47 ultrarunners began the 100 km race, looping through a 1,589 m circuit of shaded woodland and paved paths. Later in the morning, 69 athletes set out for the 50 km, and by the end, 60 runners crossed the finish line, a testament to both physical stamina and spiritual resilience. 

This year’s edition brought fresh changes: the race village was relocated, and the loop was extended by approximately 280 meters, introducing a new turnaround that challenged participants to adapt with grace.  Though weather forecasts hinted at both heat and storms, nature remained calm for most of the day. A gentle evening rain greeted runners at the end — quietly poetic, almost like a blessing for their efforts. 

The Heart of the Race: More Than Distance

Watching the slideshow, you’ll feel more than just the rhythm of feet on pavement — you’ll sense a shared journey. There are scenes of runners rounding the loop, strong but humble, faces marked by effort and inner calm. Aid stations offer water, energy drinks, and fresh fruit, while volunteers cheer, encouraging each lap with warmth. 

What makes this event so special is the mix of experience: elite ultrarunners standing alongside veteran runners in their 60s and even 70s, all united by a deeper drive than speed alone. This isn’t just a competition — it’s a community of self-transcendence, a place where the personal challenge becomes a spiritual practice.

Sri Chinmoy Paris Ultra runners on loop course

Reflections & Meaning

If we run, we see our capacities becoming fully manifested. … But when we run, we bring to the fore our hidden capacities and are able to do something and become something

— Sri Chinmoy, The outer running and the inner running

This race, and this video, embody that truth. Every step, every loop, every quiet moment in the woods feels like an offering — not just to the finish line, but to something greater within.

For those who want to dive deeper into the event, check out News #53 (posted  August 11, 2025).

Why This Video Matters

This video isn’t just a recap — it’s a meditation in motion. It invites you into a space where every lap becomes a moment of reflection, and every runner’s effort is a silent prayer. If you’ve followed Sri Chinmoy’s races before, or are discovering them for the first time, this is a powerful reminder of what true endurance looks like — not just in miles, but in spirit.

Photos, Results, and Event Highlights

A Continuing Legacy of Inspiration

Sri Chinmoy’s races continue to inspire runners worldwide. They remind us that endurance is not only about distance but also about discovering inner strength and peace.

Learn More

News #94: Agnikana’s Group Offers a Soulful Concert in Subotica

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Agnikana’s Group Offers a Soulful Concert in Subotica

A Soulful Evening in Subotica

On November 7, Agnikana’s Group offered an uplifting concert at the historic Velika Većnica in Subotica’s City Hall. Around 100 guests gathered for an evening of soulful, meditative music. The hall’s warm acoustics and quiet atmosphere created an ideal setting for their gentle harmonies. As a result, listeners were able to relax and enter a peaceful inner space.

A Stop in Budapest

Before arriving in Serbia, the group also performed in Budapest, Hungary. This additional concert allowed them to share their peaceful musical journey with local seekers and music lovers. Moreover, the short tour reflected their long-standing tradition of offering free concerts across Europe. They always travel with the intention of spreading peace through music.

About Agnikana’s Group

Agnikana’s Group began in 1997, founded by the Czech musician Agnikána Senkyříková. Over time, the group has grown into a beautifully coordinated, all-female group with members from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Switzerland.

Their repertoire is dedicated to the meditative music of Sri Chinmoy. The group combines pure vocals, gentle harmonies, and acoustic instruments such as harmonium, guitar, wooden flutes, violin, santur, metalophone, bells, and soft percussion. Because of their simple and soulful arrangements, their concerts create a peaceful atmosphere for every listener.

Importantly, all of their performances are offered free of charge, given as gifts of the heart. This reflects Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of sharing peace through music.

A Legacy of Peace Through Music

Throughout the years, the group has offered many concerts around the world. They perform in churches, galleries, cultural centres, and public halls. Furthermore, their mission is always the same: to share moments of peace and to offer audiences a space for reflection and upliftment. In every country they visit, they continue to inspire listeners through their devotion and sincerity.

Sri Chinmoy’s Vision for Music

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007)Sri Chinmoy (1931 – 2007), whose songs the group performs, saw music as a powerful path to inner peace and self-transcendence. He wrote thousands of devotional and meditative songs in Bengali and English. These songs express the soul’s longing for light.

Additionally, Sri Chinmoy taught that music is a universal language of the heart — a direct way to awaken peace within. Because of this, his melodies speak to people from many cultures.

Music is the inner or universal language of God.

– Sri Chinmoy, God the Supreme Musician (1976)

Agnikana’s Group continues to embody this vision. Each performance becomes not just a concert, but a quiet inner journey.

Learn More & Listen

Video #328: Agnikana’s Group A Meditative Concert in Budapest

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On November 6, Agnikana’s Group performed a deeply calming and meditative concert at MagNet Közösségi Ház in Budapest, Hungary. They often visit Hungary for concerts, and this year was no exception. On their way to Serbia, they stopped in Budapest for this very special evening “surrounded by plants,” which added to the sense of peace and harmony. The live recording weaves together angelic vocals with harmonium, wooden flutes, santur, violin, metalophone, bells, and soft rhythmic percussion. The atmosphere is immersive and serene, offering listeners a profound experience of inner stillness.

Meet Agnikana’s Group

Agnikana’s Group was founded in 1997 by Czech musician Agnikána Senkyříková, and remains fully devoted to performing the music of Sri Chinmoy.   The ensemble is all-female, with members primarily from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Switzerland.   They sing in Bengali and English — the very languages in which Sri Chinmoy composed many of his songs.   Their purpose isn’t commercial — instead, they aim to evoke a profound space of harmony, peace, and purity where listeners can connect with meditation through music.  

Global Reach & Discography

Over nearly three decades, Agnikana’s Group has offered well over 200 public performances across Europe, Asia, and North America.   Their discography is rich and deeply spiritual. According to their website and Bandcamp, their albums include:

  • Bhagaban (2003)  
  • In My Heart-Sky (2008)  
  • Dream, Always Dream (2010)  
  • Premaloker (2013)  
  • Live in Concert I (2015)  
  • My Gratitude-Heart (2016)  
  • Khama Karo (2019)  

Each album reflects their dedication to Sri Chinmoy’s meditative compositions and their desire to share a heartfelt, spiritual resonance with their listeners.

Sri Chinmoy’s Musical Vision

Sri ChinmoySri Chinmoy (1931–2007) was a spiritual teacher, poet, artist, athlete, and prolific composer.  He composed thousands of songs in Bengali and English, offering his music as a path for inner peace. His melodies carry simplicity and depth, inviting listeners to connect with their innermost being. Through music, he aimed to create a bridge between the human heart and the Divine, inspiring calmness, reflection, and joy.

His teachings remind us that music is not just sound – it is a vehicle for meditation, self-transcendence, and spiritual awakening. Every note has the power to uplift, heal, and bring the listener closer to silence and inner harmony. Agnikana’s Group, by performing his compositions, embodies this vision in every concert, allowing audiences to experience a journey of peace and devotion through sound.

When we listen to soulful music … immediately our inner existence climbs up high, higher, highest.  

– Sri Chinmoy, God the Supreme Musician (1976)

Why This Video Resonates

This Budapest concert captured on video is more than just a performance — it is a spiritual offering. As you watch and listen, you’re invited to pause, reflect, and access a space of quiet upliftment. Agnikana’s Group doesn’t just sing – they open a doorway into peace.

Learn More & Listen