Category: Sri Chinmoy Centre Activity

News #61: Vasanti Niemz Completes 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan in Honor of UN’s 80th Anniversary

Posted on by Yatkara

On September 12, 2025, Vasanti Niemz, 68, of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, undertook the legendary 28.5-mile 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan to celebrate multiple milestones: 40 years of the SCMT Channel and Marathon Swimming, the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and its Culture of Peace Program, and 55 years of the Peace Meditation at the UN.

Supported by crew members Jamini and Pipasa, and with the Peace Torch on board, Vasanti set out from Battery Park Marina at 10:15 a.m., just blocks from the 9/11 Memorial. Passing the UN Headquarters along the East River, she dedicated her swim to peace and to the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.

Vasanti completed the circumnavigation in a stunning 9 hours, 34 minutes, and 7 seconds — several hours ahead of her projected finish time. Her kayak pilot remarked that in all her years of experience, she had never seen such calm conditions under the George Washington Bridge. 

Her efforts also spotlighted the upcoming global event, the “7 Minutes of Peace” Meditation on Sunday, September 21, at 9:00 a.m. EST.

The journey of self-transcendence did not end with the swim: the following day, Vasanti cycled around Manhattan along the shoreline, and on the third day, she ran from Battery Park Marina to the UN Headquarters — completing a symbolic trilogy of swim, cycle, and run in dedication to peace.

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

News #60: Songs of the Soul Concert in New York

Posted on by Yatkara

On August 23, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Centre hosted a “Songs of the Soul” concert at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The event featured a diverse group of performers dedicated to sharing the musical legacy of Sri Chinmoy, offering soulful interpretations of his compositions.

“Songs of the Soul” is an international concert series that began in 2008, aiming to present Sri Chinmoy’s music to the public free of charge. These concerts have been held in numerous cities worldwide, showcasing a range of musical styles and interpretations of Sri Chinmoy’s songs.

Sri Chinmoy, a renowned spiritual teacher and composer, wrote over 21,000 songs during his lifetime. His music continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the globe, serving as a testament to his vision of promoting peace and harmony through the universal language of music.

For more information about the “Songs of the Soul” concert series and upcoming events, please visit the official website: songs-of-the-soul.com

For more information:
Meditative music by Sri Chinmoy and other groups: www.radiosrichinmoy.org
Upcoming events: www.srichinmoycentre.org
Learn more about Sri Chinmoy: www.srichinmoy.org

News #59: Choir of Albert Schweitzer Elementary School in Weimar Receives Peace Prize

Posted on by Yatkara

On August 27, 2025, the choir of Albert Schweitzer Elementary School in Weimar was honoured with the City of Weimar Peace Prize for their uplifting Peace Concert, performed together with the Mountain Silence ensemble, featuring the serene and meditative songs of Sri Chinmoy.

Their main teacher, who had already inspired a Peace Run at the school just a year earlier, led this heartfelt project. The prize money of €600 will be donated to a school in Lambaréné, Africa, extending the spirit of peace and service beyond borders.

This concert tour was lovingly organised by Subarnamala, bringing the message of harmony and unity to her hometown of Weimar earlier this spring.

For more information:
Meditative music by Sri Chinmoy and other groups: www.radiosrichinmoy.org
Upcoming events: www.srichinmoycentre.org
Learn more about Sri Chinmoy: www.srichinmoy.org

Video #308: How to be spiritual in the 21st century | The Acceptance of Life Podcast, Episode 22

Posted on by Yatkara

This conversation explores the essence of spiritual life in the 21st century, emphasizing the importance of consciousness, the role of ego, and the challenges posed by modernity, including social media and information overload. It highlights the need for self-knowledge and the significance of seeing the world through the heart’s eye, advocating for a balanced approach to spirituality that integrates with daily life.

Takeaways:

  • Spirituality is a recognition of the world’s complexity.
  • Consciousness is fundamental to understanding reality.
  • The ego can be a thief of true identity.
  • Letting go of attachments is essential for spiritual growth.
  • Materialism can distract from spiritual fulfillment.
  • Historical context shows the evolution of spirituality.
  • Modern spirituality allows for integration with daily life.
  • Social media impacts identity and self-perception.
  • Information overload requires discernment.
  • Self-knowledge is crucial for finding direction.

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

Video #307: Paree’s Group Performs the Songs of Sri Chinmoy | Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2025

Posted on by Yatkara

On May 29, 2025, Paree’s Group graced the historic Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with a deeply meditative and soul-stirring performance of Sri Chinmoy’s songs. Arranged in rich choral harmony by Paree herself, this concert marked a poignant moment in their debut tour across the Balkans.

For more information:
About Paree’s Group: www.radiosrichinmoy.org
Upcoming events: www.srichinmoycentre.org
Learn more about Sri Chinmoy: www.srichinmoy.org