Sri Chinmoy:
The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

On 22 May 1979 the Peace Meditation group at the UN had the honour to present a programme in tribute to the composer Johann Sebastian Bach, with guest speakers Miss Rosalyn Tureck and Professor Howard H. Cox.

Miss Tureck, the internationally renowned pianist and “First Lady of Bach,” is the foremost exponent of Bach’s keyboard music in the world today. Miss Tureck is the Founder and Director of the International Bach Society. Her work in Bach as performer and recording artist on all keyboard instruments, as conductor and as lecturer distinguishes her as a multifaceted Bach specialist of un- paralleled stature.

Professor Cox of the Moravian Theological Seminary is presently researching Bach’s personal Bible, just discovered a few years ago, in which Bach had entered his own handwritten marginal comments. This is considered a major discovery since £t provides a new insight into the composer’s thought and beliefs.

Sri Chinmoy played solo on esraj, and several members of the group performed some of Bach’s chamber music. The meditation group choir sang compositions dedicated to Bach by Sri Chinmoy, which are reprinted in this issue.

Highlights of the programme follow.

Miss Rosalyn Tureck, Director of the International Bach Society:

(Speaking of a “revelation” she had at the age of 16).  I had to form a new way of thinking about music, including a new keyboard technique of p rasing, dynamics, touch and endless means of performance . . . a totally new tonal and physical piano technique to match the deeper perception which came to me of what Bach’s music and structure really is.

(Summing up her philosophy while talking about the Goldberg Variations) On the piano I perform the ‘Goldberg’ Variations as they appear in the original and do not make any alterations in order to meet its technical demands on one keyboard. My piano performance does not imitate the harpsichord performance. However, the basic structure must stand undisturbed for its own sake on either instrument and it dictates the musical characteristics of each variation, as well.

Thus in some variations I retain the same concept on both instruments but achieve it by different means . . . .

The ideal is to etch the structure in the music, to achieve the quality of the composer’s fantasy and vision, and always to employ the instrument as a means and never as an end in itself . . . . This performance is not intended for either/or choice. I have always believed in the principles of operation, rather than the attitudes of either/or.

One may indeed choose, but with music and instrument treated with respect and knowledgeable art, the integrity of the music should stand, retaining its clarity, its structure and its infinite significance to the human spirit.

Professor Howard H. Cox, Moravian Theological Seminary:

It is fitting for the community at the United Nations to give tribute to Bach. For not only does he provide in his music a message that envisions unity, fulfilment and wholeness for mankind consistent with the goal of the United Nations, but he was also aware of the realities: the brokenness of human relations and of human nature. One passage of underlined commentary in Bach’s Bible will illustrate this. It is commentary on the story of Isaac in Gen. 26. Isaac is being pushed around by the Philistines. He settles, digs wells, and then is dispossessed. So he settles again, digs more wells, and is dispossessed again . This happens several times. Finally, the Philistines say to Isaac , “We see that the Lord is with you. Come, let us make a covenant together .”

The commentary, which has been underlined with pen and ink, reads: “What a great force patience has . . . . For while he is so patient and could bear with this injustice that came upon him, he could also open his neighbor’s eyes so that they recognize and confess their sins and think of the violence that they did to him .”

Patience is a quality to be cultivated by all who seek unity and harmony. If Bach underlined this passage, then he identified with it.

Bach’s desire for peace and unity makes him an historic ally of the U.N. I believe that the Bach Bible is unique as source material for understanding the beliefs and motivations of Bach. Rarely is this kind of data available with reference to any person in history. For it is a witness to his private life. It shows Bach speaking to himself. Whatever he wrote in this Bible, whatever he underlined, reflects his genuine interests.

Here is revealed the inspiration of that servant of mankind whose music lifts up humanity into the region of God’s glory. For, like Moses, he saw the promised land. For him, like Ezekiel, the heavens were opened and he saw visions of God. And following another Johann before him, John of the Book of Revelation, he gave concrete expression to the voice which said, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.”

Sri Chinmoy lead a meditation

and played on the Indian Esraj

Members of the meditation group perform some of Bach’s works.

Songs

(Music  scores related to below are in Gallery 2)

BACH – Words and music by Sri Chinmoy

Bach, Bach, Bach, Bach!

O heart-piercing, soul-stirring melody,

You quenched the un quenched thirst of Eternity.

TO GIVE WINGS OF ETERNITY  – Words by Pablo Casals Music by Sri Chinmoy

To give wings of eternity to that which is most ephemeral ;

to make divine things human and human things divine;

such is Bach, the greatest and purest moment in music of all time .” -Pablo Casals

BACH IS THE END –  Words by Albert Schweitzer Music by Sri Chinmoy

 “Bach is the end. Nothing comes from him;

 everything merely leads up to him.” -Albert Schweitzer

BACH IS THE FATHER – Words by W. A. Mozart Music by Sri Chinmoy

 “Bach is the father, we are the children.” -W. A. Mozart

ONLY  PRACTISE  IT  DILIGENTLY  –   Words  by  J.S. Bach  Music  by  Sri  Chinmoy  

“Only  practise  it  diligently,  it  will  go  very  well.  

You have  five  just  as  healthy  fingers  on  each  hand  as  I.”  J.S.  Bach  

I  OFFER  MYSELF –  Words  by  1.5.  Bach, Music  by  Sri  Chinmoy.

“I  offer  myself  in  most  dutiful  obedience .”  -J.S.  Bach

See also report in periodical Bulletin “Meditation at the UN” Jul 1980, in PDF format: 

bu-scpmaun-1980-07-27-vol-08-n-07-jul-ocr-opt.pdf

Note related scanned page-images 21- to 28 

(also in Gallery 2 as jpg format)

On 11 September 1979 H.E. Davidson L. Hepburn, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, addressed delegates and staff about his country and its relationship to the United Nations, and then entertained the audience with a colourful slide presentation he had prepared especially for the occasion.

The programme, celebrating The Bahamas’ entry into the United Nations on 18 September 1973, was videotaped and later shown on Bahamian television.

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Bahamas Nationals Join with the Peae Meditation Goup members choir singing the Bahamas National Anthem,,

Following are excerpts from Ambassador Hepburn’s talk, as well as a song dedicated to The Bahamas by Sri Chinmoy and performed by members of the Meditation Group.

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H.E. Davidson L. Hepburn, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations:

Excellencies, distinguished guests, Fellow Bahamians, ladies and gentlemen, this auspicious occasion affords me the honour to represent the Bahamas in extending thanks to Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations for paying such an unselfish tribute to my country.

As we are all aware of the dedication and devotion to peace, justice and the preservation of human dignity by Sri Chinmoy and everyone connected with the association, it would be superfluous for me to elaborate further. However, I cannot resist the temptation to quote a sentence from what seems to be a motto of the group because it captures more adequately than any words I may use the real essence of devotion and selflessness. “When man listens to God, his imperfections are turned into perfections, his ignorance into knowledge, his searching mind into revealing light and his uncertain reality into all fulfilling divinity.”

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Secondly, I would like to thank all of you who have left your busy schedules to share this solemn time with us. Your presence adds to the spirit of solidarity for regional, cultural and social progress within the international community. It is especially gratifying to note that this tribute comes at a time when The Bahamas is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its parliamentary judicial system. In fact it was on 29 September 1729, that the first session was held, and during the weeklong festivities later this month dignitaries from many nations will join in a gala event in Nassau.

Rather than trying your patience with an historical chronological account of this important feat, suffice it to say that our archives hold data which show that when the first English colonies were established in the West Indies and N. America, it was taken for granted that the settlers took with them “all the rights of Englishmen as established by common law and other legislation then in force in England.” It is fair to say that even today The Bahamas’ entire judiciary system has its roots in the parliamentary form of government which has formed its base since the mid-sixteenth century.

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In 1729 when the first meeting of the House of Assembly took place, there were some 1,378 people living in The Bahamas. Of this number 1,042 lived in New Providence and 336 in Eleuthera and Harbour Island. There were 925 whites and 453 coloured, as they were then known. In 1831 the Negro population outnumbered that of the white by three to one and of the more than 12,000 inhabitants only 2,991 were considered free despite the abolition of British slave trade in 1807. But by 1834 four black men had won seats in the House of Assembly and since that time there has been an unbroken stream of “men of colour” sitting in the legislative hall of The Bahamas Parliament.

Today there are over 250,000 persons living in The Bahamas; perhaps not a significant growth over the centuries. But what is interesting is that there has been a shift and the ratio of black to white inhabitants is 90 to 10 percent. This tidbit is mentioned merely to show the changes that have occurred not only in terms of semantic usage of words but also in the composition of the ethnic character of the population.

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The people of The Bahamas, even during the 1800’s, were referred to as “amiable, courteous and hospitable.” They still display that easygoing nature of a people nurtured by the resources of land and sea even though technological. advancement continues to flourish all around them. The Bahamian people are very artistic and religious. Examples of the former can be seen in the handiwork here on the stage and as far as the latter is concerned there are numerous denominations to accommodate the form of worship the individual seeks.

Finally, it is no exaggeration to state that with each year The Bahamas seems to build on its image in the international community. Besides being a member of several international organizations, it has ratified international treaties not least among which is the Treaty of Tlatlelolco, which deals with the Prohibition of Arms in the Latin American region. The Bahamas Government not only believes in the theory of the brotherhood of man and sovereignty and territorial integrity for peoples under domination, but is determined to promote measures geared to the implementation of universal justice and equality.

Without a doubt The Bahamas membership in the U.N. Body gives it a better opportunity to help to effect necessary changes.

As young Bahamians are more interested in and more knowledgeable about the international community, many of them are steering their studies toward a career in international affairs.

While it is true that all small, developing countries like The Bahamas need all the expertise they can get from their nationals, it is our hope that in the very near future trained, qualified Bahamians would have a fair representation in the Secretariat based on the need for experience and equitable geographical distribution.

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Ambassador Hepburn again joined the Meditation Group during its 21 November 1979 meeting in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium for a meditation and the performance of The Bahamas motto recently set to music by Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy gave the opening dedication at a classical music celebration in honour of the 50th Session of the UN General Assembly,  hosted by H.E. Ambassador Istvan Nathon, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the UN, with performances by members of the New York Philharmonic and others – 19 September

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Sri Chinmoy meditated and performed Sept. 19 at the start of a chamber music concert by members of the New York Philharmonic at the United Nations’ Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium.

The concert, which was around the time of  the opening the UN General Assembly, drew more than 200 diplomats. U.N. personnel and members of New York’s musical elite.

This event was part of “The World-Harmony Pilgrim-Dream” series.The project seeks to build bridges between people of all cultures – through music.

See also: Part 1 – Images and text from  concert U.N. Day, Thursday, 24 Oct. 2013, 1-2 p.m. at: 2013/10/24/15856/

 Below are some additional photos, links and text from the Programme:

Singers:

UN Day Concert – 24 October 2013, Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium

Remarks by Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary General of the U.N.

–  read by Adhiratha Keefe:

UN Day observances have traditionally included music.

Following are excerpts from Secretary-General  Dag Hammarskjöld’s statement on 24 October 1960 – his last United Nations Day – when the Philadelphia Orchestra performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

I quote:

…This concert is in celebration of United Nations Day
and it has been felt that a few words may remind us
of the purpose for which we have assembled….

On his road from conflict and emotion to reconciliation
in this final hymn of praise,
Beethoven has given us a confession
and a credo
which we,
who work WITHIN and FOR this Organization,
may well make our own….

The road of Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony
is also the road followed by the authors
of the Preamble of the Charter.
It begins with the recognition of the threat
under which we all all live
speaking as it does of the need
to save succeeding generations
from the scourge of war
which has brought untold sorrow to mankind.

It moves on to a reaffirmation    of faith
in the dignity and worth of the human person.
And it ends with the promise to practice tolerance
and live together in peace
with one another      as good neighbors
and to unite our strength to maintain peace

We are indeed still in the first movements.
But…we have too much in common,
too great a sharing of interests,…
ever to weaken in our efforts
to surmount the difficulties
and not to turn the simple human values,
which are our common heritage,
into the firm foundation
on which we may unite our strength
and live together in peace….

UN Day Concert – 24 October 2013, Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium, UN

Remarks by U Thant, the third Secretary General of the U.N.

– read by Pragati Pascale

U Thant also drew a parallel between music and the United Nations in his remarks on United Nations Day, 24 October 1967, during a concert in the General Assembly Hall by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

“At a time when international relations are marked by discord and disharmony,

it is a pleasant respite to all of us to listen to the kind of music that we are hearing today.

Such music not only pleases the ear, but also elevates our spirits.

Besides, it also points to an important lesson.
The functioning of a major orchestra requires cooperation on the part of the performers and leadership from its conductor…. In the field of international relations, the performers are the member states.

The score is the Charter of the United Nations.

If we are to replace the present dissension by harmonious cooperation,

we have to be faithful to the score: we have to observe not only the letter,

but the spirit of the Charter in our international relations.”

Download text:

• UN Day concert 24 October 2013 – Dag H and U Thant comments  (pdf format)
•  UN Day concert 24 October 2013 – Dag H and U Thant comments (rtf format)

O United Nations ..p.4;

O Dream of God …p. 6;

I Pray for You ..p. 7;

O Wilson’s League of Nations ..p. 8;

O Body of the World ..p. 9;

Lie, Trygve Lie! .. P. 10;

Dag Hammarskjold .. P. 12;

U Thant .. P. 14;

o Kurt Waldheim ……….. .. …. … …… …. . .. …… 16

I Know You Surely Can …………………………… 18

With You Began ….. …. …… …. …… … ……. …. .. 19

Our Ascending Hope …. .. ………… .. ……………. 20

The Lord’s Sun-Vision Plan ………….. . …………. 21

Our U.N. Soul . . …… …. …… … . .. … . . . . …… . .. . .. . 22

o Great U.N.! …… .. …………………………… .. . 23

They Say … ….. … . … … … ……………………. ….. 24

Compassion-Height . … .. …………….. .. ………… 25

UNICEF ……………. . …………….. . ……… . …… 27

We Believe …. .. .. ……………. .. …………. .. ……. 28

PDF -OCR format of 32 page booklet: pma-1977-songs-by-med-grp-o-un-ocr-opt

Page Images:

The first concert was held Dec. 18 at the United Nations Information Centre in Buenos Aires. Dignitaries attending included the wife and sister of Argentina’s President.

In Chile, the Master gave a concert Dec. 23 at the UN Organizations Regional headquarters in  Santiago, the Capital of Chile. It is the location of the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Carribean (ECLAC).

Other peace concerts were held in Vina del Mar, Chile  on Dec. 28 and in Valdivia, Chile  on Jan. 4.

On Jan. 11 Sri Chinmoy offered his final peace concert of the trip in Lima, Peru. Each of the concerts included a performance of a special song the Master had composed, honouring the particular country in which the concert was held.

Note: during the visit, a number of members of the meditation Group also undertook “Swims  for UN International Year of Peace 1986” in each location in Argentina, Chile and Peru to draw attention to the UN proclaimed 1986 International Year of Peace. The swimmers also traveled separately to: Montevideo, Uruguay; Rio de Janero, Brazil; and La Paz, Bolivia for demonstration swims. This included the high altitude  Lake Titicaca in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. By volume of water, it is the largest lake in South America.

 The photos below are from the Peace concert in Santiago, Chile.

Members of The Peace Meditation at the the United Nations Choir, performed a number of songs during the concert.

Sri Chinmoy met with some of the Guests after the concert.

The Chief of U.N Security and Safety for the United Nations office in Santiago, Carlos Stozek, kindly escorted Sri Chinmoy and pointed out different features about the buildings, grounds and previous visitors.

He is a friend of Sri Chinmoy and members of the meditation Group from when he previously served at the UN Headquarters in N.Y.

He was part of the  personal security team for Secretary General U Thant and represented the Security and Safety Service when U Thant Island was dedicated in the the East River adjacent to the UN. That 1977 Programme was organized by Sri Chinmoy and the Peace Meditation grou

THE CONSUL GENERAL OF INDIA AT THE SRI CHINMOY PEACE MEDITATION

On 13 March 1987, Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations offered a musical tribute to India at United Nations Headquarters in New York, with the Honourable P.A. Nazareth, Consul General of India, as special guest.

The programme of instrumental and vocal pieces included the performance by the Peace Meditation Choir of a song Sri Chinmoy composed for the occasion, dedicated to the Consul General.

Following is a statement made by the Consul General during a presentation by Sri Chinmoy, as well as some remarks by Mr. B. Ramamoorthy.

Mr. B. Ramamoorthy, Professor of Economics and Business, Consultant:

Dear friends, it is an honour to be invited to speak today at this gathering. It has been a privilege to know Mr. and Mrs. Nazareth for over 20 years. When I was teaching in a small college in Vermont, I had the pleasure of inviting them both to speak to my students. And it has also been my privilege to know Sri Chinmoy for more than 20 years.

It is with humility and a deep sense of pride that I say these few words. When Mr. Nazareth came to our small college in Vermont, he made such a deep impression on the students that after he left they used to ask, “Are we going to have that Indian speaker again on our campus?”

Mr. B. Ramamoorthy, Professor of Economics and Business, Consultant:

Sri Chinmoy welcomes the Consul General and his wife, Isabel, before the programme.

The Peace Meditation choir performs songs dedicated to India.

Then he moved, as you know, to many countries on four different continents, including Peru, the United Kingdom and of course his native India. Since he returned to New York in August 1986, he has attempted to bring both the Indian and American cultures together, organising a number of cultural programmes.

I have never seen so many cultural activities initiated by the Consul General in New York. As all of you may be aware, the fortieth anniversary of India’s independence was celebrated right here in the United Nations in January 1987.

We had two outstanding violinists, Yehudi Menuhin and L. Subramanyam. It was such a gathering that we had never seen anything like it. Now, they say that behind every man there is a woman, and here we have Isabel Nazareth, one of the most exemplary of Indian women, who not only stands behind her husband but also does all the other things that are required as a diplomat’s wife. I am very happy that both of them could be here today.

The singers perform Sri Chinmoy’s song dedicated to the Consul General.

Sri Chinmoy (presenting a plaque to Mr. Nazareth:

On behalf of the Meditation Group at the United Nations, I wish to offer you, my dear brother-friend, this gift with our appreciation, admiration and gratitude.

Sri Chinmoy presents a plaque to the Consul General.

The Consul General and his wife receive gifts from Sri Chinmoy.

The Honourable P.A. Nazareth, Consul General of India:

Sri Chinmoyji, Mr. Ramamoorthy and my dear friends, I feel really so truly honoured and so humble today when I stand here before you-because I have never been so honoured before in my whole life. I am very grateful to have been invited to the United Nations as a guest of honour. I feel so humble because I know how undeserving I am of this honour, but I accept this as a tribute being paid to India. This is truly a very moving tribute, and I would like to thank all of you very, very sincerely. If I may say so, India is deserving of this tribute because of the centuries it has managed to preserve a certain philosophical tradition, deep religious insights and very basic values. I think that, more than any other nation in the world, India believes the simple maxim that all mankind is one family. India has retained this concept and nurtured it, along with the concept of non-violence and peace, and it has brought great solace to our people and to people all over the world.

It is such a heart-warming experience for me and for others to know that right here in the United Nations we have this Meditation Group. Ordinarily the United Nations is known all over the world as a place where crisis situations are dealt with through resolutions, committees, conferences and endless speeches. I don’t think that the world is aware, and it should be made aware, that here, right within the United Nations building, there is a Group that is trying to find peace, I think, in a truly more meaningful way. Since wars are born in the minds of men, I think peace also has to be born in the minds of men.

Mr. and Mrs. Nazareth listen as the choir performs a song in the Consul General’s honour.

Indian nationals join the choir in singing the Indian national anthem.

When one meditates, when one reflects within oneself and tries to see and reach and understand what the basic purpose is of existence and of life and what it is that we are really trying to achieve here, one sees the purposelessness of war. In this century from the year 1900 to today, if one makes a very rough count, one finds that in the wars that we have created ourselves, more than 80 million people have died. This is about one million people a year, and this is a terrible comment on our own civilisation.

I think that we should reflect within ourselves as to whether or not this makes sense. On the one hand, we seem to be progressing. On the other hand, we are indulging in the most savage butchery. It is when one meditates and reflects that one begins to grow. One simile that personally appeals to me-that is taught in Indian philosophy-is of the trees in the forest. There are so many trees and most of them cannot see more than six inches beyond their area, although occasionally there is some light that comes through. But for some strange reason there are one or two trees that grow higher than all the others, just because of their own discipline or energy.

And when such a tree reaches above the tops of all the other trees, it has a vision which other trees cannot even suspect. It is a vision that looks beyond the horizon. It is a vision that does not permit any pettiness. And I think that if we can reflect and discipline ourselves, if we can allow the inner spirit to grow, we can also reach great heights of peace and universal brotherhood that all of us are longing for but cannot yet see.

This is where, I think, the role of the Guru comes. The Guru is like that one tree that has grown above all the other ones, the tree that has this inner vision and is now trying to illumine others. This I think is what Sri Chinmoy is doing, and to see so many of you here warms my heart because I see how successful Sri Chinmoy has been. Long may you live, all of you. It is not just a Meditation Group here, but it is a whole peace movement with peace concerts and peace activities. And I honestly believe that this is certainly as important as anything that is being done in the conference halls of this great and august building.

Mr. Ramamoorthy stands with his former colleague at the Indian Consulate, Sri Chinmoy, and his old friends, the Nazareths.

INDIA’S CLARION-CALL 

Consul General Nazareth!

A oneness-heart of fulness-breath.

Your friend, his friend , my friend, Alan:

Divinity’S fulfilment-plan.

Indian culture’s clarion-call

To all nation-towers, short and tall.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE .

Born on 7 April 1936, Mr. P.A. Nazareth was educated at Loyola College, Madras, and holds a Master’s degree in economics and politics from the University of Madras.

He joined the Indian Foreign Service in May 1959 and since then has served in the Indian diplomatic missions in Tokyo, Rangoon, New York, Lima, London and Accra. At London, he served as Deputy High Commissioner and in Accra he was High Commissioner of India to Ghana with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Liberia, Burkina Faso and Togo.

During the period June 1982 to October 1985, he was Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and in this capacity was closely associated with the organisation and handling of the Festivals of India in the United States and France.

During the period October 1985 to August 1986, he was Consul General of India, Chicago.

Copyright © 1987 Sri Chinmoy

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the Publisher.

This information is presented as a service and does not necessarily represent the official views of the U.N. or its Agencies.

INDIA HONOURED AT U.N. UNITED NATIONS-

Nearly 100 lndian officials from the Indian consulate and the U.N. Secretariat gathered here March 13 for a special tribute to India sponsored by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations. India’s Consul General in New Y ork, P.A. Nazareth, and his wife were guests of honour.

Sri Chinmoy, who has been conducting peace meditations at the U.N. for the past 17 years, presented the Consul General with a plaque, and the Meditation Group singers sang a song Sri Chinmoy had composed about him.

Deeply moved, the Consul General declared: “I have never been so honoured before in my whole life. This is something I’ll never forget.” He said he accepted the honours as “a very moving tribute to India.” He also praised Sri Chinmoy’s work for peace at the United Nations and elsewhere, comparing Sri Chinmoy to “a great tree rising above the forest, trying to communicate the vision he sees to the rest of the world. “This is not just a meditation group but a whole peace movement,” the Consul General said.

“It is certainly as important as anything done in the great conference halls of the United Nations.” The programme ended with many Indian members of the audience joining the Consul General, Sri Chinmoy and the Meditation Group singers onstage to sing India’s national anthem.

– report from Anahata Nada: Dec 1986 to Mar 198

“There shall come a time when this world of ours will be flooded with peace.

Who is going to bring about this radical change?

It will be you: you and your sisters and brothers.

You and your oneness-heart will spread peace throughout the length and breadth of the world.”

– Sri Chinmoy

WELCOME TO THIS  PROGRAMME

of inspiring music and meditation for peace. We are grateful that you have come to share your own aspiration for a peaceful life in a peaceful world, and hope that the concert brings you a tangible experience of the peace that we all seek.

Sri Chinmoy’s approach to a musical performance is unique. An entirely self-taught musician, he seeks not to dazzle the listener with technical virtuosity, but to inwardly inspire through the spiritual consciousness expressed in the music. In his own words: “In my case I do not just play music. I pray, I meditate, I contemplate while I am playing. I try to be in close communion with my Inner Pilot, who is the Supreme Musician.

According to my capacity of receptivity, I try to offer His Light and Peace to the through my music.

During a concert, Sn Chinmoy may play briefly on several instruments, some of them familiar and others exotic. He also sings in his native language, Bengali, and in English, and sometimes extemporizes in a very dynamic way on piano or synthesizer.

“Let us not try to understand music with our mind. Let us simply and spontaneously allow the music-bird to fly in our heart-sky.” -Sri Chinmoy

“The peace we bring to the fore from the inner world through our prayer and meditation is very powerful, and it lasts.

When we have that peace in our inner life, the outer life is bound to be transformed.

It is only a matter of time.” – Sri Chinmoy

A PHILOSOPHY OF PEACE

Sri Chinmoy’s approach to peace is dynamic, personal and apolitical. To him, peace is not simply the absence of conflict. He says, “Peace means the presence of harmony, love, satisfaction and oneness. Peace means a flood of love in the world family.” The world-family is all of humanity -you, me and every individual.

Each of us can seek peace within ourselves, and when we discover it, even a little of it, we can spread it to others. Gradually the quest for inner peace in countless individuals will spread the consciousness of peace throughout the world-community.

“Peace is the harmonious control of life .. .. If we open the right avenues within, then peace can be felt here and now,” says Sri Chinmoy. Many have found that listening to peaceful music and meditating with others is an easy way to open these inner avenues. The intensity of many peace-seekers meditating together creates a flood of peace that is almost physically tangible. “We say ‘peace of mind’, but actually we do not have peace in the mind,” says Sri Chinmoy. “By staying in the mind we can never have even a glimpse of peace. If we want to have peace, we have to go beyond the realm of the mind.”

Spiritual music can take us outside the boundaries of the mind if we listen in a meditative consciousness.

And the experience of peace within the heart can last for days, weeks-it can be an experience that is long treasured

“If each individual in each nation can consciously and devotedly feel that he does not belong to a little family called ‘I and mine’ but to a larger family called ‘we and ours; then the message of love, of brotherhood, of peace, of soulful sharing, can easily be embraced by the entire world.” – Sri Chinmoy

‘The outer message of the United Nations is peace.

The inner message of the United Nations is love.

The inmost message of the United Nations is oneness.”

–  Sri Chinmoy

Reference notes to direct quotes used above..TO BE ADDED

After the Concert, meeting with country representatives including from:

• Sudan

• Romania

O United Nations ..p.4;

O Dream of God …p. 6;

I Pray for You ..p. 7;

O Wilson’s League of Nations ..p. 8;

O Body of the World ..p. 9;

Lie, Trygve Lie! .. P. 10;

Dag Hammarskjold .. P. 12;

U Thant .. P. 14;

o Kurt Waldheim ……….. .. …. … …… …. . .. …… 16

I Know You Surely Can …………………………… 18

With You Began ….. …. …… …. …… … ……. …. .. 19

Our Ascending Hope …. .. ………… .. ……………. 20

The Lord’s Sun-Vision Plan ………….. . …………. 21

Our U.N. Soul . . …… …. …… … . .. … . . . . …… . .. . .. . 22

o Great U.N.! …… .. …………………………… .. . 23

They Say … ….. … . … … … ……………………. ….. 24

Compassion-Height . … .. …………….. .. ………… 25

UNICEF ……………. . …………….. . ……… . …… 27

We Believe …. .. .. ……………. .. …………. .. ……. 28

PDF -OCR format of 32 page booklet: pma-1977-songs-by-med-grp-o-un-ocr-opt

Page Images:

Page Images:

Some members of the Peace Meditation Group at the UN assisted with the UN Day concert on 23 October 2009.

Secretary-General Meets UN Day Concert 2009 Artists

He had previously performed a concert at the United Nations  for Sri Chinmoy and the UN Community on August 27,  2007.

This 2011 concert  was held at the New York University Skirball Center in NY. It also featured the Tabla Virtuoso, Samir Chatterjee