18th Anniversary of Peace Meditation at the U.N. 1988 Mar 29

Filed under UN Anniversaries

General Introduction

Meditation or Song/ Prayer by Sri Chinmoy
Introduction to the Film – U thant at Buddha Play; Harrison, NY.
Introduction to the Slides
Thanking the participants
Thanking Sri Chinmoy
Invite to Enjoy the Refreshments and
notify if wish to be on list for regular meetings or special programms

Opening Meditation

General Introduction

Today we are observing the 18th Anniversary of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations. We want to express our appreciation of our colleagues and friends for their devoted efforts towards peace. It is difficult to see sometimes how we are contributing to world peace let alone appreciate how others are working toward the same goal. It is common to see what some one has not done and to miss what they have done. r1any people in their quiet way make the UN work . Many disagreements are because of 0 shared desire to do something right, and a different perception of how to reach the common goals. Even when we speak the same language, the words used are heard with different meanings because of our diverse cultural and personal experiences. Today we wish to remember the vision of the United Nations an d all those who are striving to bring that vision to reality.

Those who are here~ are part of a noble experiment as Secretary General U Thant said “I can think of no worthier task for a man or a woman to be engaged in than that of creating the tools of international cooperation and working for the betterment of our fellow human beings;.” And on this day the members of the meditation group wish to also express our gratitude for the opportunity to serve this community since 1970.

Meditation or Song/ Prayer by Sri Chinmoy

(Every participant offered copy 0f the “welcome” – so that they know about opening meditation . )

Sri Chinmoy came to New York in April of 1964. In 1968 he gave his first lecture to the United Nations Community. When the meditation group was formed in 1970 Sri Chinmoy was invited to lead it. He has always given special importance an d personal attention to the United Nations and those who work here” He has answered hundreds of questions and written books for us. Composed songs and offered special paintings to remind us of the United Nations’ Vision. He has inspired countless events in support of the United Nations around the world, and defended the efforts of this house in places where the popular mind has not been very receptive to the United Nations message.

Introduction to Film:

U Thant greatly encouraged Sri Chinmoy and the meditation group. He believed that the ultimate success of the United Nations depended on the development o f the spiritual virtues of the inner self. In his last speech to the staff here he said” Above all, I attach the greatest importance to spiritual qualities. With this approach, with this concept alone will we be able to fashion the kind of society which was envisaged by the founders”.

An now thanks to some people who had the foresight to record and preserve an event from 1973 we will see and hear U Thant in Harrison New York at the premier of Sri Chinmoy’s play ” Siddhartha becomes the Buddha”

Introduction to the Slides

The slides you are about see will show multifarious activities. Some o·f you will see yourselves. But obviously, the slides can not show all. For example it doesn’t show the photographer , or the person who designed the p0sters or delivered the invitations to the events. It doesn’t show the many offices in the UN such as security and Safety, Conference services and meeting services or the Audio Visual units who have all had a part in making the programmes work.

It doesn’t show the colleagues who may have received the phone calls. Or the Supervisor who rearranged lunch hours so that staff members could share in the experience. These events have been built on cooperation. Like most events they can have some tense moments of miscommunication and misunderstanding but they are primarily a sign of us working together in our small United Nations Community. It is all of us in New York whose vocation is to assist the wider world community, looking for new ways to inspire each other as we try to build a better world.

Thanking the participants

The slides also don’t show the small kindness so many of our colleagues show to each other in very personal ways to help with disappointments and individual grief and also sharing occasions of joy. All these things help to build peace in our community and we are grateful for these efforts. It show the many people who may want to attend programs but can’t due to the pressing demands of work or conflicting meeting schedules. We know and feel your good will and are regretful for it. For others who are not shown we beg your forgiveness. And if you are inspired maybe you can come up with a few slides for next year.

Thanking Sri Chinmoy

In the midst of an in credibly busy schedule of World Peace concert Tour,.:; etc ‘/ Sri Chinmoy somehow finds the time to come and share with us his physical presence in New York. Those of us who have been privileged to know Sri Chinmoy during these 18 years at the United Nations, are moved by his concern for the noble aspects of the organization which we serve, and acceptance of our often times feeble attempt in this human institution. love. We are moved by his multifarious expressions of Sri Chinmoy has requested from us only two things; That we try and that we don’t give up on this beautiful vision that he shares with us of a oneness WOI~ 1 d. Sometimes i t very difficult for our minds, but he has touched our hearts to help us see. Sri Chinmoy our teacher, our leader? our friend, Thank You.

Invite to Enjoy the Refreshments

Invite our guests to come and receive from Sri Chinmoy an expression of our gratitude for your participation in the work of our common goals. If any wish to be on the list for regular meetings or special progrmmes please inform one of the people assisting with the refreshments , which I warmly welcome you to share with us.

Thank you