Video #280: Belief vs. Faith – A spiritual Exploration | The Acceptance of Life Podcast, Ep. 14

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

News #19: Earth Day 2025 – New York

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

To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

Video #276: Spiritual growth through imperfection | The Acceptance of Life Podcast, Ep.12

In this conversation, Vajin and Abhinabha explore the theme of imperfection, emphasizing that being imperfect is an inherent part of the human experience. They discuss the paradox of human existence, the origins of imperfection, and how spirituality can help individuals accept and transcend their flaws. The conversation also delves into the concept of cardinal sins, the importance of self-discovery, and the nature of true greatness, ultimately highlighting that imperfections contribute to character and personal growth.

Takeaways: 

  • Imperfections are not inherently negative; they are part of being human.
  • The pursuit of perfection can lead to rigidity and closed-mindedness.
  • Acceptance of our imperfections can alleviate suffering.
  • Spirituality teaches us to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.
  • Self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and transformation.
  • The journey of self-discovery involves recognizing and addressing our flaws.
  • True greatness is accompanied by humility and empathy.
  • Our imperfections can provide valuable lessons and character development.
  • Living in the present moment is essential for spiritual growth.
  • The process of transcending imperfections requires consistent practice and self-reflection.

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

Video #268: Gayatri Mantra – Performed by Arthada & Friends

This recording of the Gayatri Mantra set to music by Sri Chinmoy, is arranged and performed by the music ensemble Arthada & Friends and guest singers from the Vienna and Budapest Sri Chinmoy Centres.

Sri Chinmoy’s comments on the ancient Gayatri Mantra:

Gayatri
The sacred mantra from the Rig Veda addressed to the sun.
If the seeker soulfully recites the Gayatri mantra in the morning and the evening, illumination is bound to take place in the seeker’s confusion-mind infinitely sooner than he would ever expect.

I would be very happy if you could learn the tune that I have set to the Gayatri Mantra. If you can sing it most soulfully, it will be as good as repeating the mantra one hundred times. This is the difference between reciting and singing. While we are singing, our entire being is elevated and transported into the highest plane of consciousness. When we recite something soulfully, sometimes we may get dynamic power; sometimes we may get vital power, uncontrolled vital power. But if we sing a song soulfully, immediately psychic power comes. Psychic power comes to the fore and makes us swim in the sea of Light and Delight. If we are singing soulfully, this is more important than to be technically correct. When I sing, many times I make mistakes. But God does not care about my technique. He cares for my soulful qualities. So when you learn the Gayatri Mantra, please do not worry that you cannot sing it like a professional singer. As long as it comes from your heart, God will be really pleased.

Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreṇyaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ prachodáyāt

Translation: 
We meditate on the adorable glory of the effulgent sun, the Creator. May He illumine and guide our mind and intellect.

The Gayatri Mantra is the most hallowed mantra of the Vedas. It is the mother of all the mantras. Mantra means incantation. A mantra can be a one-syllable word or a few words, a sentence or a few sentences. The Gayatri Mantra can offer to the sincere seeker the light of the Infinite, the delight of the Eternal and the life of the Immortal.

A seeker of the infinite Truth must meditate on the Gayatri Mantra. The result that he will get is incalculable.

Subtle is the path of Moksha — Liberation. Hard is the path of liberation. Long is the path of liberation. But a genuine seeker can and does reach the end solely by meditating on the Gayatri. When one is freed from the fetters of ignorance, one grows into the supernal glory of the Transcendental Self. Liberation can be achieved, must be achieved, while the seeker’s soul is in the body. To fail to realise God on earth is to swim in the sea of ignorance with two more swimmers: ignorant birth and shameless death. Liberation attained, the bonds of grief, destroyed. If not, like the Buddha we have to proclaim, “This fleeting world is the abode of sorrow.

The Gayatri is the divine magnetic needle. The magnetic needle points to the north; hence the ship does not lose its direction. The Gayatri always points to the transcendental height of the Supreme; hence the seeker does not miss his Goal: Existence, Consciousness, Bliss.

Sources:
Sri Chinmoy, The core of India’s Light, part 3, Agni Press, 1992
Sri Chinmoy, Sri Chinmoy speaks, part 6, Agni Press, 1976
Sri Chinmoy, AUM — Vol. 7, No.12, July 27, 1972, AUM Centre Press, 1972

For more information visit the official website: https://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #15 – Blue Flower Group Concert in Huehuetenango, Guatemala

On March 4, the Blue Flower Group performed in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Their beautiful music filled the air, creating a memorable experience for the audience.

A local influencer with 21,000+ followers live-streamed the concert, and over 1,600 people watched online.

Watch the full concert here: Video Link

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

Video #244. A New World Of Peace Concert – Philadelphia, August 29, 2024

Experience the serene and uplifting melodies of A New World of Peace, a special concert held on August 29, 2024, at the historic Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This performance celebrates the timeless songs of Sri Chinmoy, offering a profound message of harmony and unity through words and music.

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

Video #200: Live Concert. Songs of Sri Chinmoy (Manhattan, NY – August 25, 2022)

This concert took place at 9B9 Art Space in Manhattan, NY on August 25th, 2022. Please enjoy a piece of soulful spiritual music performed by Laila Faerman (vocals), Misha Tsiganov (piano), Premik Russell Tubbs (sax/flute).  Most of this songs are available on Spotify already. 

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

Week 93: I Love Singing

Songs:

– Swarge Hate Dibanishi Kripa Name Akaran
– Unconditionally Compassion Descends
– Alor Pakhi Keno Thako
– O Bird of Light

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:

 

Lyrics:

1. Swarge Hate Dibanishi Kripa Name Akaran

Swarge hate dibanishi
Kripa name akaran

Translation:

Unconditionally Compassion descends
Day and night from Heaven.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Four Hundred Blue-Green-White-Red Soul-Birds, Part 1’ songbook


2. Unconditionally Compassion Descends

Unconditionally Compassion descends
Day and night from Heaven.
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Four Hundred Blue-Green-White-Red Soul-Birds, Part 1’ songbook


3. Alor Pakhi Keno Thako

Alor pakhi keno thako
Ankhi dhaki

Translation:

O bird of light, why do you keep
Your eyes closed?
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Four Hundred Blue-Green-White-Red Soul-Birds, Part 1’ songbook


4. O Bird of Light

O bird of light,
Why do you keep your eyes closed?
– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Four Hundred Blue-Green-White-Red Soul-Birds, Part 1’ songbook

 

For more of Sri Chinmoy’s published songs, visit the official website: www.srichinmoysongs.com
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

© 2022 Sri Chinmoy Centre