In this inspiring episode of the Hill Season Podcast, Bulgarian ultra-distance runner Ivan Dimitrov sits down with two remarkable athletes just after they completed the 10-day race in New York—and right before heading into the 10-day race in Bulgaria.
They begin with a deep dive into the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and the intense world of multi-day ultrarunning. Expect rich insights into training, mindset, and recovery. Around the 50-minute mark, the conversation shifts into how meditation and spiritual practice can help you thrive not just in racing, but in daily life.
In this conversation, Abhinabha and Vajin explore the notion that we may be living in the best times ever, contrasting this with nostalgic views of the past. They discuss how perceptions of reality can be influenced by media and personal experiences, leading to a disconnect in how people view their own lives versus the world at large. The discussion highlights significant progress in areas such as safety and poverty reduction, while also addressing the cultural identity and values that shape our understanding of success and fulfillment in life. In this conversation, Abhinabha and Vajin explore the dynamic nature of spiritual growth, emphasizing the necessity of daily practice and the importance of striving for progress in one’s spiritual journey. They discuss the accessibility of spiritual knowledge in modern times and the challenges posed by comfort and distractions. The conversation also touches on the value of life, human potential, and the misconceptions surrounding population growth, ultimately highlighting the richness of the current era and the opportunities available for personal and collective growth. They also explore the evolution of fitness culture in India, the integration of spirituality with physical well-being, and the mainstream acceptance of meditation. They discuss the impact of technology and social media on personal growth and creativity, highlighting generational shifts in how these tools are used. The dialogue emphasizes the potential for human advancement in today’s world, advocating for an optimistic outlook on the future.
Takeaways:
We often romanticize the past, overlooking its challenges.
Nostalgia can distort our perception of reality.
People’s experiences of the present can vary widely.
The media influences our views on the state of the world.
Expectations can lead to suffering when reality doesn’t match them.
Comparing progress to the past can provide a more positive outlook.
Crime rates have significantly decreased over time.
Extreme poverty has been drastically reduced globally.
Education is a powerful tool for transformation.
Cultural identity plays a crucial role in personal and societal progress.
You cannot stay in the middle; you must move forward or backward.
Daily practice in meditation is crucial for spiritual growth.
The universe is constantly moving forward; resting leads to regression.
Spirituality can be practiced in modern life without renouncing the world.
Access to spiritual knowledge is unprecedented in today’s world.
Comfort and distractions can hinder personal growth.
Life expectancy is increasing, indicating progress in society.
Population growth fears are often exaggerated; we can sustain more people.
The panda bear’s recovery symbolizes successful conservation efforts.
We should celebrate the sanctity of human life and potential.
People are increasingly valuing fitness and health.
Spiritual masters have promoted the importance of physical fitness.
Meditation has become a mainstream practice.
Technology allows for unprecedented access to information.
Social media can connect like-minded individuals globally.
Generational shifts are changing social media dynamics.
These are the best times for human potential to be unleashed.
Creativity is flourishing due to global connectivity.
Access to information is democratizing talent discovery.
Embracing the present is key to creating a better future.
On Saturday, May 10th, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, came alive with the spirit of joy, determination, and community as runners of all levels took part in the annual Sri Chinmoy 5K, Half-Marathon & Relay.
Organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in collaboration with NYC Parks, the event featured a scenic, USATF-certified course winding through the park’s most iconic landmarks—including the Unisphere and Queens Zoo. The flat, fast loop provided the perfect setting for personal bests and peaceful miles alike.
Participants were treated to thoughtful race-day touches such as custom t-shirts, finisher medals, aid stations every mile, and a post-race pancake breakfast—creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.
Congratulations to all the runners and heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who made the day so special!
The 2025 Sri Chinmoy 6 & 10 Day Race is currently taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the serene Park “Sv. sv. Petar and Pavel”. The event began with the 10-day race starting on May 3 and the 6-day race commencing on May 7. Both races will conclude on May 13, 2025.
Participants are running on a certified 785-meter flat asphalt loop, with their laps recorded by race marshals to ensure accurate timing. This event is a true test of endurance and will see runners from around the world pushing their limits for self-transcendence and inner growth.
For detailed race information, including results and photos, visit the links below:
The Sri Chinmoy Centre is honoured to be part of this year’s Skopje Book Fair, which runs from May 8–14, 2025 and is expected to welcome over 30,000 visitors. The event opened with the presence of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, adding a special sense of significance to the fair.
Our stand has drawn beautiful attention, particularly through the presence of Zoran Krstevski, a well-known Macedonian professor, philosopher, and author. Zoran, who has written about Sri Chinmoy in one of his books, kindly offered to sign books at our stand and shared his appreciation of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy on several national TV channels.
Visitors to the stand can discover more than 30 titles by Sri Chinmoy translated into Macedonian, with The Wisdom of Sri Chinmoy and Meditation emerging as favourites among seekers and book lovers alike.
This year’s fair features over 65 publishing houses from North Macedonia and abroad, including special participation from the Ministry of Culture of Serbia and the Embassy of Germany. More than 110 book promotions and author events are taking place, making it a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity.
The Sri Chinmoy Centre is deeply grateful for this opportunity to share Sri Chinmoy’s soulful writings with so many open hearts and minds, offering a space of inner peace and inspiration amid the literary festivities.
Blue Flower performed 14 soulful songs composed by Sri Chinmoy in the beautiful Johannis Hall of Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, Germany, on 21st September 2024. This inspiring concert was part of a heartfelt three-city tour through Ljubljana, Salzburg, and Munich, sharing the meditative beauty of Sri Chinmoy’s music in some of Europe’s most enchanting settings.
To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org
Since 1985, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has been humbly offering the 10-Day and 6-Day Races at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York, inspired by the blessingful encouragement of Sri Chinmoy. These ultra-distance races are more than athletic feats—they are powerful journeys of self-transcendence, where the soul leads and the body joyfully follows.
Run and become. Become and run. Run to succeed in the outer world. Become to proceed in the inner world.” — Sri Chinmoy
This year’s races drew participants from an inspiring total of 23 countries, uniting hearts from around the globe in the spirit of oneness and inner progress:
🌎 3-Day Race: 14 participants from 7 countries 🇷🇺 Russia · 🇨🇿 Czech Republic · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇺🇦 Ukraine
🌍 6-Day Race: 8 participants from 8 countries 🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇲🇰 Macedonia · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇵🇱 Poland · 🇲🇳 Mongolia · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇫🇷 France
🌏 10-Day Race: 29 participants from 16 countries 🇵🇱 Poland · 🇨🇳 China · 🇨🇿 Czech Republic · 🇲🇳 Mongolia · 🇮🇳 India · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇭🇺 Hungary · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇸🇰 Slovakia · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇷🇴 Romania · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇸🇬 Singapore
Together, these 51 runners represented a vibrant mosaic of 23 nations, each soul running with purpose, peace, and determination.
We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers whose cheerful dedication and tireless service helped create such a peaceful, uplifting atmosphere. The spirit of harmony and aspiration could truly be felt in every moment—early morning silence, evening cheer, and every step in between.
With deepest appreciation to all who made this soulful experience possible.
In 1985, Sri Chinmoy encouraged his students to take on the challenge of swimming the English Channel. Today, that inspiration has led to an extraordinary legacy: 48 solo English Channel swims by 30 team members, 4 relay crossings, and even more achievements including Oceans Seven swims.
To honour 40 years of these remarkable accomplishments, our team is sponsoring a feature in the 2025 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Yearbook (print and online). The piece will highlight our English Channel swimmers and IMSHOF honourees, with photos from Lake Zurich and the Peace Torch relay.
Sri Chinmoy was posthumously inducted into the IMSHOF in 2012 as an “honour administrator” for his inspirational role in the world of marathon swimming. Vasanti will represent the team at the IMSHOF Ceremony on May 17, 2025, in Jersey, UK.
Abhinabha and Vajin explore the profound topic of faith, differentiating it from belief and discussing its significance in navigating life’s challenges. They delve into the nature of faith as a transformative experience, emphasizing the importance of personal experiences in shaping one’s beliefs. The discussion also touches on the role of humility, the impact of misunderstandings on relationships, and the evolution of spiritual beliefs in a modern context. Through various anecdotes and insights, they highlight how faith can provide strength and guidance in difficult times, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe. In this conversation, Abhinabha and Vajin explore the personal nature of spirituality, emphasizing that each individual’s experience of God and truth is unique. They discuss the importance of faith, the nature of death, and how personal experiences shape one’s understanding of spirituality. The dialogue also touches on the role of doubt in spiritual growth and the necessity of facing fears to discover inner strength. Through anecdotes and philosophical insights, they illustrate how faith can be cultivated over time and how it can empower individuals to confront life’s challenges with love and courage.
Takeaways:
Faith is the eye through which we see truth.
Belief is often based on evidence, while faith requires openness and trust.
Misunderstandings can lead to long-lasting conflicts.
Humility allows us to see the world as it truly is.
Faith can help us navigate difficult experiences.
The universe is a friendly place that supports our growth.
Personal experiences are crucial for transforming belief into faith.
Dogma can hinder personal spiritual experiences.
The evolution of belief can lead to a deeper understanding of God.
Faith is a transformative journey that requires constant updating. Every seeker has the right to define God in their own way.
Spiritual truths are often personal experiences.
Death is not to be feared; it is the extinction of consciousness.
Faith builds over time through spiritual practice.
Doubt can poison the growth of faith.
Facing fears can reveal inner strength and capacity.
The antidote to doubt is to focus on faith.
Spirituality is about personal growth and transformation.
Meditation can deepen one’s connection to the universe.
Humility is essential in the journey of faith.
To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org
– God Has Infinite Children 2 – Peace 1 – Peace 2 – Peace 3
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: