Sri Chinmoy: Centre; Peace Meditation at UN; Marathon Team – Affiliates Explanation 1985

Filed under administrative history

THE SRI CHINMOY CENTRE,

SRI CHINMOY: THE PEACE MEDITATION AT THE UNITED NATIONS, AND

THE SRI CHINMOY MARATHON TEAM

Sri Chinmoy is a noted author. composer. musician, sportsman, lecturer, peace-lover and teacher of meditation. His work has inspired thousands of individuals around the world. Sri Chinmoy has allowed his name to be used in several contexts to denote the high standard of service and quality that has come to be associated with his work and to show his support for the efforts being undertaken. The most visible organisations are: the Sri Chinmoy Centre; Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations; and the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. Sri Chinmoy’s students, friends and admirers support or attend the various activities undertaken under’ the auspices of the above-named organisations in accordance with their personal interests and abilities.

Students of the non-profit Sri Chinmoy Centres, located in some one hundred cities around the world, offer free programmes for the public. including meditation classes, musical performances. athletic events and programmes in support of world peace and other goals of the United Nations. The Sri Chinmoy Centre is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) recognised by the United Nations Department of’ Public Information.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (and Self Transcendence Races?) is closely associated with the Sri Chinmoy Centres.’ Each year the Marathon Team sponsors over 500 sports events worldwide, including weekly two-mile running· races. ultra-marathons and triathlons. Team members also participate in and assist at other sports-events… In order to demonstrate Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy ‘of personal transcendence and the importance of a healthy body for inner growth and well-being, a number of Marathon Team members have completed ultra-events –for example: record runs,  long-distance and 24-hour cycling events and swims across the English Channel.

Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations is an association of U.N. delegates, staff and  NGO representatives. The group, has sponsored twice-weekly meditation sessions and other programmes for world peace at United Nations Headquarters since 1970, when Sri Chinmoy was invited (by Secretary-General U Thant)  to lead the group. Many members of the Peace Meditation at the U.N. also participate in the activities of the Sri Chinmoy Centre in New York, although the two are separate entities.

The regular membership of the Peace Meditation numbers approximately 80 to 100. Because of their official duties and various other commitments, other Peace Meditation associates are able to attend meditations at the U.N. only on an irregular basis. Again, because of space limitations and the fact that Peace Meditation programmes at the U.N. are held in restricted areas. the general public is usually not admitted, although invitations are extended to selected guests for special events.

Affiliates of the Peace Meditation at the U.N. –members of the Sri Chinmoy Centres around the globe who care deeply about world peace -often organise peace programmes for the public in their respective cities in support of the United Nations and of world peace. Some such events are: peace walks or relay runs for Charter Day in June and U.N. Day in October; Sri Chinmoy’s World Peace Concert tour; the annual global observance of “Seven Minutes of World Peace” and other special events integrated with local customs and traditions.

Each year some 150 members (or more) and affiliates of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations take a holiday trip during December and early January. These trips to various parts of the world provide an opportunity to become acquainted with different cultures and to offer service in the form of free meditations, concerts for peace and athletic events. The affiliates who are invited on these trips are members of the Sri Chinmoy Centres from various countries who have practised meditation for over five years and have organised programmes for peace in their local communities. Accompanying members of the Peace Meditation group at the U.N. for their holiday trip and Peace  Concert tour in recent years (1984 – 1985?) have been affiliates from Australia, Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany. France, Great Britain. Japan, the Netherlands. Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The annual year-end holidays have provided significant opportunities for the Peace Meditation in its endeavors for the expansion of Peace. The concerts and other services provided by the group have invariably been enthusiastically received both by the general public and by national and local officials in the countries visited. Of equal importance for group members during these holidays is the possibility for individual spiritual renewal among like-minded friends from many countries and re-dedication to the ideals which motivate their service throughout the year.

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