On June 1, 2025, more than 31,000 runners took to the streets of San Diego under mild, overcast skies, winding through iconic neighborhoods like Balboa Park, Hillcrest, Normal Heights, and downtown before finishing at the waterfront.
Many runners especially appreciated the cheerful aid station in Normal Heights, hosted by the San Diego Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. Volunteers provided refreshing water, electrolytes, and boundless positivity—earning the enduring accolade:
The cleanest and best-organized water station on the course!
On May 23, 2025, Her Excellency Ms. Vani Rao, Ambassador of India to Italy, attended the “A New World of Peace” concert in Rome, held in the spirit of Sri Chinmoy’s vision of global harmony. The event featured meditative music by the Sahadeva Ensemble and drew a warm, heartfelt audience.
Before the performance, Ambassador Rao held the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run torch, symbolising her support for international friendship and peace. She later offered an inspired speech from the stage, further enriching the evening’s uplifting atmosphere.
Sincere thanks to all the volunteers and members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre who helped bring this beautiful event to life.
From May 12–16, 2025, Hungary became a radiant beacon of peace as the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run traversed the country. Covering over 360 km in just five days, the team was greeted by more than 1,500 enthusiastic children and supporters, filling the route with sunshine, laughter, and boundless goodwill.
Schools joined spontaneously, torch in hand, with radiant faces and hearts open wide. The atmosphere was electric—fueled by joy, unity, and the unmistakable feeling that something truly special was unfolding. While local media highlighted the event across Hungary, it was the children—running, singing, and sharing the torch—who truly carried the spirit of the Peace Run forward.
🌍 About the Peace Run: The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is a global torch relay that offers everyone a chance to express their longing for peace. Since its founding in 1987, the Run has visited over 150 countries and territories, touching the lives of millions of people.
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.
From May 5 to 9, 2025, the Lotus Seminarzentrum in Vienna hosted the third annual Vienna Meditation Week, drawing approximately 460 participants across nine sessions. Each day welcomed around 100 attendees, creating an atmosphere of peace, youthfulness, and aspiration.
The program featured a blend of English and German sessions, each evening focusing on a unique theme presented by experienced speakers. Highlights included Satyaki’s sessions on foundational meditation techniques, Thomas’s exploration of the heart’s path in meditation, and Nidhruvi’s insights into the connection between sports and meditation. The week culminated on Friday with a powerful workshop by Sadanand from Ireland, followed by a soulful sitar concert performed by Kanala and Sadanand.
To continue the journey, follow-up sessions are now being held twice a week—one in English and one in German.
For upcoming events and more inspiration from the Vienna meditation community, visit: 👉 www.meditationwien.at
To honour Earth Day, the Sri Chinmoy Centre joyfully took part in the Earth Day Festival at Union Square, New York City, on April 17th, 2025.
At its booth, the Sri Chinmoy Centre featured the book Listen to Nature: Living in Harmony with the Earth, and offered hundreds of magnet cards with nature photos and inspiring poems from the book.
The heart of Mother Earth Any earth-child can open At his sweet will. ~ Sri Chinmoy 77,000 Service-Trees, part 46
Experience the soulful performance by the Mountain Silence international ensemble as they render spiritual and devotional songs composed by Sri Chinmoy in the historic Basilica of Saints Felice and Fortunato in Vicenza, Italy. Filmed on March 8, 2025, in a venue that still boasts exquisite Roman mosaics, this memorable concert is a heartfelt tribute to Ottaviano Costa, a dear friend remembered with deep admiration.
To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org
Roberta Flack has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that transcends music. A Grammy-winning artist and spiritual seeker, she was known in the Sri Chinmoy community as Addwitiya, meaning “matchless” or “second to none.” With a voice that defied genres, she infused songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with rare depth and soul, making them truly timeless.
February 16, 2025 – In recognition of her profound contributions to music and her ability to inspire millions, Flack was honored with the Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award on her 88th birthday in a special ceremony at her New York residence. This prestigious award celebrates those who illuminate the human spirit through their work, and Flack’s lifelong dedication to uplifting humanity through song made her a most deserving recipient.
A classically trained musician, she was the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year, using her extraordinary talent to express deeply felt messages that continue to resonate across generations. Her music invited listeners to explore their inner worlds while embracing life’s beauty. Reflecting on her journey, she once shared, “I want to keep my feet on the ground and let my spirit soar.” This powerful sentiment was later set to music by Sri Chinmoy, the spiritual leader, composer, and humanitarian after whom the award is named.
The award, directed by Ranjana Ghose, has previously honored luminaries such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Mikhail Gorbachev, and composer Philip Glass. Its crystal design bears an etching of Sri Chinmoy’s world-harmony painting, Unity, adorned with his signature peace-bird drawings—symbols of the soul’s boundless journey. Alongside the award, Flack was presented with a certificate featuring a poem by Sri Chinmoy, capturing the essence of her artistic vision and life’s work:
God never encouraged me To learn the world-denial-song. On the contrary, He inspired, encouraged And blessed me To sing the world-acceptance-song And dance the world-transformation-dance. – Sri Chinmoy
The ceremony also included a heartfelt birthday celebration for Roberta Flack, to whom the community extended warm wishes. A special slideshow, created by Vyakulata and Gesiane, beautifully highlighted the occasion.
With this recognition, Roberta Flack joins a distinguished list of honorees whose creativity and dedication continue to inspire and uplift the world. Her music remains a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the power of song to unite hearts and transcend boundaries.
To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org
On February 6, 2025, a special event took place at the Sri Chinmoy Peace Airport Garden in Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, celebrating the Oneness of Humanity. The gathering was filled with warmth and unity, beginning with heartfelt introductions, followed by a moving rendition of the national anthem. The Bina Vocalia Bali Children’s Choir then graced the audience with three beautiful songs composed by Sri Chinmoy.
The event featured inspiring speeches from key representatives of Sri Chinmoy Centres International and Ngurah Rai International Airport, as well as a touching presentation on the history of the Sri Chinmoy Peace Airport dedication.
Musical performances from international artists, showcasing compositions by Sri Chinmoy, added to the event’s beauty. The event also honored Bapak Wehyudi and Bapak Syaugi with Torch-Bearer Awards for their contributions to humanity. The celebration concluded with the Sri Chinmoy Choir singing the heartfelt ‘Thank You’ song, leaving everyone with a sense of peace and gratitude.
To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org
