On May 26, 2025, Paree’s Group, an international female cappella ensemble dedicated to performing the meditative music of Sri Chinmoy, launched its inaugural Balkan tour with a heartfelt performance in Subotica, Serbia. The concert, held in the Grand Hall of the City Hall, marked a significant milestone for the group and was warmly received by the local community.
This video captures highlights from the Subotica performance, showcasing the group’s angelic voices and harmonious arrangements. Under the direction of Paree Atkin from New York, the ensemble brings to life the soulful compositions of Sri Chinmoy, offering audiences a transcendent musical experience.
On May 24, 2025, nearly forty runners gathered at scenic Magnuson Park in Seattle for the annual Sri Chinmoy 3, 7 & 13-Hour Races – a celebration of self-transcendence, community spirit, and joyful determination.
Set along a peaceful 1.54-mile loop bordering Lake Washington, the event welcomed runners of all backgrounds and experience levels. From ultra veterans to first-time participants, each was invited to challenge their limits over a chosen duration: 3, 7, or 13 hours.
The atmosphere was one of soulful enthusiasm and quiet encouragement, inspired by the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, who saw running as a powerful tool for personal transformation.
Top Performances:
13-Hour Race
Men:
Brian Kastner (40): 64.68 miles
Jae-Byung Jung (54): 63.14 miles
Alex Swenson (61): 60.06 miles
Women:
Emily Frith (31): 52.36 miles (pictured above, foreground)
Kate Van Houdt (57): 52.36 miles
⸻
7-Hour Race
Men:
Sam Nicaise (38): 47.74 miles (course record, pictured above, background right)
John Spannuth (55): 40.04 miles
Women:
Mari Kauri (57): 33.88 miles
⸻
3-Hour Race
Women:
Kelly Macdonald (36): 18.48 miles
Men:
Milan Vracarich (37): 16.94 miles
Mark Dahlby (61): 16.94 miles
The event was not only about numbers and distance—it was about going beyond perceived limits, running joyfully, and supporting one another in the true spirit of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of self-transcendence.
– Expect Not – A Heart of Peace Hears 2 – A Speaker-Mind – The Mind Counts Troubles
Enjoy singing along with the audio recordings. These songs are composed by Sri Chinmoy and performed by his disciple Purnakama. Please click the links below to listen to or download the audio and song scores:
Paree’s Group, an international female cappella ensemble dedicated to performing the meditative music of Sri Chinmoy, has launched its inaugural Balkan tour, commencing with a heartfelt performance in Subotica, Serbia. The concert, held on May 26, 2025, in the Grand Hall of the City Hall, marked a significant milestone for the group and was warmly received by the local community.
Founded in 1987 by Sri Chinmoy, Paree’s Group began as a children’s ensemble under the guidance of Paree Atkin from New York. Over the years, the group has evolved into a mature, soulful ensemble, known for their intimate and heartfelt interpretations of Sri Chinmoy’s vast collection of spiritual songs. Many of the songs they perform were taught directly by Sri Chinmoy in person.
The Subotica concert featured the group’s angelic voices and radiant smiles, creating an atmosphere filled with inner peace and spiritual elevation. The audience was deeply moved, experiencing a profound sense of tranquility and inspiration. This performance not only showcased the group’s musical talents but also embodied the essence of Sri Chinmoy’s teachings on peace and harmony.
Following the successful opening in Subotica, the tour will continue to other cities in the region, including Niš, Sofia, Plovdiv, Bitola, and Skopje.
For those interested in experiencing the serene and uplifting performances of Paree’s Group, recordings are available online at Radio Sri Chinmoy. These recordings offer a glimpse into the group’s heartfelt musical journey and their dedication to spreading peace through music.
The 2025 Sri Chinmoy 5K, held on Friday, 16 May at Silverknowes, Edinburgh, once again hosted the Scottish 5K Road Championships and delivered an evening of exceptional performances and record-breaking achievements.
Under clear skies and warm evening sunshine, approximately 600 of Scotland’s top club runners competed on the fast, flat, and traffic-free riverside course, renowned for producing swift times.
In the men’s race, Scottish international Logan Rees of Fife Athletic Club claimed victory with a new course record of 14:04, surpassing the previous best of 14:12.The top four finishers all broke the former record, highlighting the depth of talent in the field.
The women’s race saw Morag Millar deliver a superb performance, finishing in 15:57, just four seconds shy of her own course record.
Notably, 35 runners completed the course in under 15 minutes, and 432 runners finished under 20 minutes, underscoring the competitive nature of the event.
In the Men’s Junior Under-20 category, Edinburgh University’s Angus Wright secured gold with a time of 14:30. Corstorphine’s Stuart Livingstone set a new MV40 course record of 14:57, ahead of Edinburgh AC’s John Lenehan, who finished in 15:10.
The event attracted participants from across Scotland, with some athletes traveling over 100 miles from the North and North-East, and even flying in from the Scottish Islands to compete.
The race continues to build its reputation among the running community, and the organizers received fantastic positive feedback from participants, who, along with volunteers, contributed to making it another special event.
– Purity Strengthens the Heart – Love Without Peace – My Peace-Dream-Heart-Flower – When My Mind Even Thinks of Peace
Enjoy singing along with the audio recordings. These songs are composed by Sri Chinmoy and performed by his disciple Purnakama. Please click the links below to listen to or download the audio and song scores:
A new short film from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run in South Australia has just been released, capturing the spirit and highlights of the recent journey. Filmmaker Aiden Manning presents a powerful 20-minute piece that offers a vivid glimpse into the message of peace carried across schools, mountains, and cities.
The film opens with a warm welcome at Bridgewater Primary School, continues to the summit of Mount Lofty, and concludes with a heartfelt gathering on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide. Along the way, viewers will see children joyfully carrying the Peace Torch, hear inspiring remarks from Thai cave rescuer Dr. Richard Harris upon receiving the Peace Run’s Torch-Bearer Award, and receive thoughtful reflections from peace advocates Lynn Arnold and Heidi Unferdorben.
Aiden Manning brings a uniquely heartfelt vision to the screen, using media as a vehicle for peace and transformation.
From May 20 to 23, the Sahadeva Ensemble presented A New World of Peace — a free concert series inspired by the meditative music of Sri Chinmoy. Held in three Italian cities, the tour offered audiences an uplifting journey through soulful melodies, poetry, and moments of silence.
🎼 Tour Dates & Venues: • May 20 – Ecoteatro, Milan • May 21 – Teatro Astra, Vicenza • May 23 – Teatro Italia, Rome
Directed by British musician Sahadeva Torpy, the ensemble performed original compositions by Sri Chinmoy, accompanied by peaceful visuals and a contemplative atmosphere. The concerts invited listeners to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deeper quietude of the heart.
Manjimup, WA – May 24, 2025 — The Manjimup Art Gallery is hosting the “Art for Peace” exhibition, showcasing the meditative artworks of Indian spiritual teacher and artist Sri Chinmoy. Running from May 24 to June 21, 2025, the exhibition invites visitors to experience a collection of vibrant, abstract paintings created in a state of deep meditation, aiming to inspire inner peace and harmony.
Sri Chinmoy, who began painting in 1974, described his art as Jharna-Kala, or “Fountain-Art,” symbolizing creativity that flows from within. His works have been exhibited globally, including at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
The Manjimup Art Gallery, located alongside the Public Library at the corner of Mount and Rose Streets, is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Admission to the exhibition is free.
For more information about the exhibition and the gallery, visit Manjimup Art Gallery.
The second race of the Oxford Self-Transcendence Summer Series took place on Monday, 19 May 2025, at the scenic Cutteslowe Park. It was a beautiful spring evening that welcomed a strong turnout of 168 runners—113 men and 55 women—eager to challenge themselves and enjoy the spirit of friendly competition.
In the men’s race, Matthew Lock of Witney Road Runners claimed first place with an impressive time of 15:15, just ahead of his teammate and the previous race winner, Max Cunningham, who clocked in at 15:52. On the women’s side, Jamie Garry of Oxford City AC led the field with a strong 20:09 finish, while Harriet Howard, also from Witney Road Runners, followed closely in 20:33.
The event was the second in a three-part Grand Prix series. With some runners tied on points, the final race on 2 June promises to be a thrilling conclusion. Tiebreakers will be based on the number of races completed and the fastest times in the upcoming race, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation.
For full results and more details, visit the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team UK website: Race details | Results
