News #100: Agnikana’s Group Concert in Subotica – Angelic Voices of Peace

Agnikana’s Group Concert in Subotica 2025 – angelic voices on stage

On 21 November 2025, a local Subotica newspaper published a stunning two-page article about the recent Agnikana’s Group concert. Journalist D. Cupac – who has never attended a meditation class – wrote with astonishing depth and poetry. Below is the complete English translation of her article.

The Original Article – “Angelic Voices Captivated Subotica”

Subotica Newspapers – 21 November 2025 Author: D. Cupac

Agnikana’s Group Performed in Our City
Angelic Voices Captivated Subotica

At a time when footsteps often run ahead of thoughts, and the hectic rhythm of life drowns out the subtle music of the soul, there exists a musical ensemble whose sound resists modern norms. Agnikana’s group opens a doorway into a different, magical world—far from the gloom of everyday life, mystical and enchanting. In that world, the moment pauses like the flame of a candle flickering in silence, carrying a unique message from the heart.

The sounds created by these exceptional women resonate with sincere dedication, woven through with profound spiritual warmth.

With confident performances, Agnikana’s group guides listeners inward to a landscape where each note becomes a bridge to hidden depths. Their melodies—soft as a whisper yet powerful as a shared breath—invite the audience to stop for a moment and truly listen within. They do not win over listeners with stage spectacle, but with sincerity, and therein lies their greatest strength. The people of Subotica experienced this at the beginning of the month, when they were delighted by the inspired concert given by this all-female musical ensemble in the Great Hall of Subotica City Hall.

Admirers from Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Poland, Republika Srpska, Hungary, and Macedonia joined local guests to enjoy this unique musical event. Seven women—excellent musicians from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, led by Agnikana Senkyrova from Zlín in the Czech Republic—brought to our city a special magic that will long be remembered.

Agnikana’s group, a female vocal-instrumental ensemble founded in 1997, is fully devoted to performing the music of Sri Chinmoy. They held their first concert the same year and have since performed more than 200 times across Europe, Asia, and North America.

They have released four CDs so far: Bhagaban, In My Heart-Sky, Dream Always Dream, and Premalocker. Their goal while singing is to create and maintain an atmosphere of harmony, peace, purity, and spirituality. They hope that each listener will receive as many meditative qualities from the songs as possible, while also appreciating their melodies.

All the songs they perform were composed by their meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy, and are sung in the original Bengali or English. They believe that music is a great enchanter, capable of opening every heart regardless of language. True understanding comes when listeners feel the music with their hearts—when they discover within it a sea of peace and an all-embracing silence.

The members often emphasize that—except Bhoiravi from Vienna—they are not professional musicians or singers. Yet their music reaches the deepest corners of the soul, sometimes bringing listeners to tears or to insights about themselves. What unites them and gives them strength, inspiration, and a unique, unquenchable spark is not music alone but their shared search for truth through meditation—an inseparable part of their lives.

Another philosophy they share is the pursuit of constant progress and self-transcendence. Each day can be the beginning of something new, more fulfilling, and truer. There is no reason for a person to remain at yesterday’s point; the goal for tomorrow is always to move forward, even with a small step.

An interesting fact about this group is that all the members have completed at least one marathon (42.6 km). Not because they are professional athletes, but because of their aspiration and desire to achieve what once seemed impossible. Their success reflects a basic human truth: if you truly want something, there is no reason you cannot achieve it.

The musicians said that our fairy-tale-like, multicultural city completely took their breath away. Subotica impressed them with its beauty and its unique Art Nouveau architecture. They expressed a strong wish to return soon to this peaceful, charming city that preserves the spirit and warmth of Balkan hospitality.

Who Was Sri Chinmoy?

Sri Chinmoy was a spiritual teacher, philosopher, author, artist, and athlete who lived in New York from 1964 until his passing in 2007. He was born in 1931 in Bangladesh.

He devoted his life tirelessly to promoting peace, harmony, and oneness among people. He travelled widely, delivering lectures at major universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Princeton, Yale, Oxford, and Tokyo.

In his creative work, he expressed deep appreciation for the unity of the world. This theme permeated his millions of bird drawings—symbols of inspiration—and appeared equally in his poetry, prose, music, and art.

The idea of oneness was the unmistakable foundation of all his activities, whether in painting, music, lectures, cultural events, or sponsoring sports programs. For decades, he dedicatedly served the United Nations, considering himself an instrument of global harmony.

Oneness in everything, oneness for everyone.

Today, several thousand of Sri Chinmoy’s disciples around the world work together to improve their lives through meditation, sports, music, literature, and self-development. He also founded one of the largest global sporting events—the Peace Run. Every two years, the relay travels across continents, carrying a message of peace, harmony, and friendship.

Sri Chinmoy lit the first peace torch on April 27, 1987, in New York, launching what is now known as the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, which circles the globe. It offered humanity a new way to express its timeless yearning for peace.

Since its beginning, the Peace Run has travelled through 150 countries, touching the lives of millions. People from all walks of life have taken the torch into their hands, offering their wishes for a better and brighter future.

Learn More & Listen

News #99: Sri Chinmoy Thanksgiving Day Runs 2025 – Largest Ever 5K & 10K Celebration

Joyful start of the Thanksgiving Day Runs 2025 in New York

The Thanksgiving Day 5K & 10K 2025 set a beautiful new record at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. On Thursday, 27 November, 841 runners – 555 in the 5K and 286 in the 10K – gathered in this historic urban oasis to celebrate the holiday with joyful running and heartfelt gratitude. Cloudy skies couldn’t dim the festive spirit. Instead, they added a soft, reflective glow to the morning. The flat, scenic loops around the Unisphere and 1964 World’s Fair landmarks amplified the festive spirit. Runners, families and friends gathered early, turning ordinary streets into lanes of gratitude and movement. Volunteers, ever the heartbeat of these events, set up aid stations with smiles and encouragement. Organisers thanked every participant and volunteer for making it the largest turnout in the event’s 15-year history.

The Heart of Thanksgiving Day Runs: Gratitude in Motion

First, these runs honor the holiday’s core: giving thanks through action. Second, they welcome all paces and ages. Third, they emphasize harmony over competition. Together, these elements create an atmosphere unlike any other. For instance, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park—the historic site of the 1964 World’s Fair—runners looped flat, scenic paths under the Unisphere. Even with scattered clouds, the air buzzed with positivity. This year, the turnout swelled, proving the runs’ timeless appeal. Participants felt the same gentle pull: run not just for fitness, but for the quiet peace that follows.

5K Highlights: Festive Starts and Swift Finishes

The 5K races ignited the day with pure energy. Fast starters clocked sub-18-minute times in the men’s under-50 group, weaving through autumn leaves with determination. Women led with graceful sub-21-minute efforts, blending speed and poise. Age-group heroes shone too. For example, masters runners in their 50s and 60s posted consistent, inspiring splits. Veterans over 70 brought wisdom to every step, often finishing to roaring applause. With over 100 finishers per site, the 5K embodied inclusivity. Families ran side by side, turning the distance into a shared adventure. Kids’ races added whimsy—tiny legs pumping to the finish, medals dangling like treasures. Despite the clouds, the mood stayed light. Volunteers handed out water and high-fives, reminding all that every lap counted as gratitude. In Queens, the loop around the park’s meadows felt especially symbolic—a circle of thanks in the heart of the city.

10K: Extended Joy and Reflective Strides

Doubling the challenge, the 10K invited deeper immersion. Leaders in the men’s open category pushed sub-36-minute paces, navigating longer loops with focused grace. Masters groups excelled, with 50+ athletes maintaining steady rhythms that belied their years. Over-60 finishers, in particular, drew cheers for their unyielding spirit.  As a result, fatigue gave way to fulfilment. Finish lines became gatherings, where strangers became friends over shared stories of the morning’s gifts.

Building a Legacy: Sri Chinmoy’s Vision Lives On

Since Sri Chinmoy founded the Marathon Team in 1977, these events have grown from small New York loops to global phenomena. The Thanksgiving Day Runs capture his essence perfectly: sport as a path to inner harmony. What began as a handful of joggers now draws thousands annually. Sri Chinmoy himself ran marathons into his later years, teaching that “run and become, become and run.” Today, that mantra echoes in every finisher’s glow.

Since Sri Chinmoy’s students began this event 15 years ago, the Thanksgiving Day 5K & 10K has become a beloved Queens holiday ritual. As part of the annual tradition, a portion of proceeds supports Flushing Meadows Corona Park – like last year’s generous $3,000 donation announced here, turning every run into ripples of good for the community.

Previous Events of 2025 You May Enjoy

Explore More

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

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. The Auckland monthly series, now in its 22nd season (since 2004), is one of the longest-running regular community race series in New Zealand and among the most enduring monthly programmes in the entire global SCMT family.  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.

Explore More

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!

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.

Explore More

Video #332: Meditative Classical Music Concert | Vienna 2025

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.

Related posts you may enjoy

Explore More