Peace Meditation Members celebrate UN 70th in Queens Oct 2015

Filed under americas | UN Anniversaries

Members of the Peace meditation Group at the UN spoke, performed music and introduced videos related to the United Nations 70th Anniversary.

New Photo Exhibit at Panorama Cafe

Below and attached are some highlights

more text and photo to be added

30 October 2015
Celebration of the United Nations 70th Anniversary
Held at the Panorama of My Silence-Heart restaurant

Good evening. My name is Nilima Silver, and on behalf of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations, I would like to welcome you to this evening’s programme. Tonight as we pay tribute to the United Nations, we are joining millions around the world who are celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the UN and offering support for the continuation of its good works.

The preamble of the UN Charter begins with “We the peoples,” so it is fitting that this special occasion be observed by all of humanity, both in big and small gatherings alike. In this regard, we are grateful to Shashanka Karlen, the owner of Panorama, for organizing and hosting this programme and photo exhibit, with special thanks to Chayanika, Pragati, Shantishri and Parichayaka for assembling the display.

It is very significant that for over half of the UN’s existence, for more than 37 years, Sri Chinmoy graced the august halls of the UN Headquarters in New York, with his twice-weekly meditations and other programmes for peace.

In 1970, then Secretary-General U Thant invited Sri Chinmoy to lead meditations for delegates and staff at UN Headquarters in New York, and these meditations and activities continue to this day. And last April we celebrated the milestone 45th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations.

Needless to say, Sri Chinmoy always created quite a stir walking down the corridors of UN Headquarters in his blue dhoti and kurta. It was no surprise that the media often referred to him as the “UN Guru,”especially when you consider his phenomenal number of lectures,peace concerts and other activities there, as well ashis prolific outpouring of writings and books about the UN.

Those of us who have worked at the UN or are associated in other ways feel very fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to serve the World Body that Sri Chinmoy valued and loved so much, We are grateful for the spiritual guidance and perspective that Sri Chinmoy offered, and we are pleased to share some of that tonight.

We will start with a short slide show depicting Sri Chinmoy’s activities at the UN, followed by an official UN video.

Then Bikashita Hass, head of a chapter of the UNA/USA in Connecticut, and a former UN Public Information Officer, will kindly read the motto of the Peace Meditation group, accompanied by Surashri Paradis on the harmonium.

The Sri Chinmoy Centre is also a non-governmental organization or NGO accredited to the UN in affiliation with the UN Department of Public Information. As the President of the Centre, Ranjana Ghose is its main NGO representative to the UN.

She has also curated many Exhibitions of Sri Chinmoy’s art at the UN, and also led performances there of her instrumental and vocal ensemble, the Sri Chinmoy Bhajan Singers.

Ranjana will kindly read Sri Chinmoy’s words relating to tonight’s theme of a Oneness-World.

Now singers from the Peace Meditation group, led by Tanima Bossart, will perform three songs by Sri Chinmoy dedicated to the UN, including some audience participation.

Theee songs:

Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant, the second and third UN Secretaries-General, were two great visionaries and spiritual seekers. Adhiratha Keefe, for many years with UNICEF and currently with the UN Department of Political Affairs, will share some insights into these two noble souls.

Adhiratha Keefe presentation:

The Persons of Heart

Two Secretary-Generals, two Visionaries, two spiritual Seekers

UN Photo Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant, on podium GA Hall

14th Session UN General Assembly – on presidential rostrum Acting President U Thant (right), of Burma, and UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. 01 October 1959, UN, New York Photo # 60999

Representing spiritual and political, action-oriented values; Symbols of what we aspire to become.
Sri Chinmoy in 1977 referred Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant as spiritual giants.
Speaking on leadership, he said at the UN,”He who leads in the heart is the real leader
This leadership is the recognition of one’s inseparable oneness with the rest of humanity.”.

U Thant was known for his poise In the most trying of circumstances.
In the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Secretary-General went to Cuba
to try to exercise his good offices to bring about a favorable solution.
He wrote: “l got up at six-thirty and tried to meditate, as usual.
I sat up on bed and closed my eyes,     but my mind wandered.
Scenes of the United States destroyer off the Cuban coast,
the Cuban anti-aircraft emplacements,    an unsmiling Castro,
a nervous Soviet ambassador      and a youthful missile General
flitted across my mind’s eye.
It was difficult to shut off my senses, even for a brief moment, and feel inner peace.
In any case, I managed to practice “metta” (good will)
and “karuna” (compassion) to all.,,4/

During the succession in the Congo, a period when the Secretary-General
received criticism from all sides,
“As a Buddhist, I abhor all forms of violence; the feeling is embedded in my inner Self.
Since Security Council meeting of November 24, 1961,
authorizing me to use a requisite measure of force in the Congo,
to evict foreign mercenaries, my conscience has been pricking me.
Any news of violent death, whether of a Congolese, a united Nations soldier,
or a foreign mercenary, saddened me deeply.
Every morning I prayed for the sparing of lives. I realized, however,
that the moral principles of my religion had to be adjusted
to the practical responsibilities of my Office.
I had to view the United Nations operation in the Congo as a battle for peace, not as a war;
to me, war… all war is folly and insanity. I regarded the UN soldiers as soldiers of peace.

On U Thant’s retirement.the Chairman of the Staff Committee, said
‘You are as much at home    with a group of visiting children as with the Head of State,
and you treat both with equal courtesy and careful attention …
I cannot claim to know much about Buddhism, but I hope you will permit me to say,
with the greatest sincerity,     that your conduct,   your example and
your personal life       are a tribute to that great religion and philosophy. ‘

U Thant, spontaneously in reply, after mentioning physical and intellectual qualities said:
‘ . .. above all, I would attach the greatest importance to spiritual values, spiritual qualities
.. . I have in mind …faith in oneself, the purity of one’s inner self
which to me is the greatest virtue of all. With this approach,
with this philosophy, with this concept alone, we will be able to fashion
the kind of society we want, the kind of society …envisaged (by the UN founders),6/ 7.

Dag Hammarskjold proceeded U Thant as Secretary-General,
and was admired throughout the world for his intelligence and principled actions.
The publishing of his Markings brought a part of his inner life into the public view.
It shocked some of his political contemporaries and admirers

He demonstrated humility and surrender of results of actions. he said” I inherited a belief
that no life was more satisfactory than one of selfless service to your country– or humanity.
This service required a sacrifice of all personal interests, but likewise the courage to stand up
unflinchingly for your convictions concerning what was right and good
for the community, whatever were the views in fashion … .
.how (to) live a life of …service in full harmony …as a member of the community of the spirit,
I have found in the writings of those great medieval mystics on…way ot Self realization
who in “singleness of mind” and “inwardness” had found strength
to say yes to every demand, which the needs of their neighbors made them face,
yes also to every fate life had in store for them when they followed the call of duty,

…love found natural expressions in an … unreserved acceptance of life,
whatever it brought them personally of toil, suffering — or happiness. “7/

He wrote: ” Simplicity is to see, judge and act from the point of rest in ourselves.
Then, how much disappears! And how everything else falls into place! …..
we encounter a world were … a tree becomes a mystery, a cloud a revelation,
each man a cosmos of whose riches we can only catch glimpses .

For the simple, life is simple, but it opens a book in which we never get beyond
the first syllable.,,9 / “There is no grammar for the language of the inner life .. “

Brian Urquhart describes him as, ” a member of that small and lonely band
who throughout history have engaged      at the same time in trying
to deal with the hard world      of political and social reality
and in searching endlessly    for a spiritual meaning     which transcends the world .

Those who are now peace-dreamers and God-Lovers were definitely born
with God-aspiration-flames deep within. – CKG MMS-B Prayers part 14 page97

Hammarskjold, U Thant and Sri Chinmoy. all came from very different backgrounds

U Thant was a devout Buddhist and his calmness and personal warmth was noted by many
Dag Hammarskjold from a Christian background, is remembered for high ideals & work
to establish a true feeling of “service” and excellence in the UN Secretariat.
Sri Chinmoy,raised in the Hindu tradition, encourages us to go deep into
our own spiritual nature to discover Truth.

By his non-denominational meditations and other activities of the Peace Meditation group
at the UN…he reminds all of the blessing to be able support and to serve the vision
of the United Nations,
This vision. beloved by U Thant, Dag Hammarskjold. and you:
peace dreamers with aspiration flames deep within.

thank You.

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for references see longer piece

Nemi Fredner, a longtime staff member of the United Nations Development Programme, will offer a few comments before we see a video of President Mikhail Gorbachev’s historic speech at the UN in December 1988, which many felt marked the end of the Cold War.

Nemi Fredner presentation and introduction to 1988 video clip:

The Pinnacle of Internationalism

Mikhail Gorbachev, President of USSR, UN General Assembly 43rd session.

07 Dec 1988; UN, New York; Photo # 803

With President Mikhail Gorbachev, a new light began to shine in international relations. In his historic 1988 address on peace and international cooperation before the United Nations General Assembly, President Gorbachev powerfully presented his new vision for the USSR and for the world. He also proclaimed his highest esteem for the United Nations—in his words, “this unique instrument without which world politics would be inconceivable today.”

The enlightened thinking behind this address had been developing in the USSR for some time. No doubt that very enlightenment in some mysteriously destined way propelled Mikhail Gorbachev, who would become the champion of world freedom and the 1990 Nobel Peace Laureate, to the leadership of his country.

The head of the task force that drafted the speech for President Gorbachev was Vladimir Petrovsky, then Deputy Foreign Minister of the USSR. Mr. Petrovskyhad long been connected with the United Nations. In 1957, at the age of 24, he became an attaché with the Permanent Mission of the USSR. And from 1964 to 1971 he served as Political Affairs Officer at the UN Secretariat.In 1978 he joined the Soviet delegation to the First Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament. He would later become the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs who drafted Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali’s landmark Agenda for Peace. Finally, he was the visionary Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the same time serving as Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament.

President Gorbachev’s speech represents the pinnacle of internationalism. And so it was received by the assembled delegates. He described the perestroika in his own country and its potential for peace and international cooperation. He called for the abandonment of old stereotypes, and for the development of a “mutually interrelated and integral world.”He vigorously advocated demilitarization. He declared, “Freedom of choice is a universal principle that should allow of no exceptions.” And he affirmed that we can only reach our common goal together.

We are fortunate that C-SPAN recorded the entire event, from the arrival of President Gorbachev’s motorcade in the circle and his welcome by Secretary-General Pérez de Cuéllar to his departure, thronged by admirers. The address is almost an hour long, but we will see a very brief excerpt of the coverage now, to capture the spirit of that golden moment in the history of the United Nations.

Today, as we reflect on Sri Chinmoy’s profound commitment to the United Nations, it is fitting to recall his deepest respect, admiration and brotherly affection for both President Gorbachev and Mr. Petrovsky, which continued to blossom over the years. Let us offer our gratitude to those world-servers whose contributions to the United Nations and to humanity can never be adequately appreciated.

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Pragati Pascale, currently a communications consultant to the UN Secretary-General’s office, particularly for the Cities Climate Finance Leadership, will share some personal stories, as she offers a glimpse into the work of the world organization.

Natabara Rollosson is currently a consultant working with the Equator Prize 2015, and is also a consultant with the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul in May of next year. He has an interesting video for us, along with insights into the Sustainable Development Goals.

From Natabara Rollosson. introduction:

Question: Do you envisage the creation of a second chamber at the United Nations? If so, should it be composed of some non-governmental organizations or the wise men of nations?

Sri Chinmoy: I do envisage the creation of a second chamber of the United Nations, but it does not have to be composed of non-governmental organizations or the so-called wise men of nations. This new creation must be composed of only selfless, dedicated workers — true servers of mankind — who do not merely remain on the theoretical plane but also come down to the practical plane and offer practical, effective answers to mankind.

Sri Chinmoy, My Meditation-Service at the United Nations for 25 Years, Agni Press, 1995

World-unity is of paramount importance. If all the countries join together for a positive common goal, the very act of their being together is something laudable. Only this approach will eventually save the world and the planet.

Sri Chinmoy, My Meditation-Service at the United Nations for 25 Years, Agni Press, 1995

We have come to the end of our formal programme, and now Adhiratha will offer the “Vote of Thanks” to our host, Shashanka.

Click on image below for larger or different resolution Photo-image:

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: 1959-oct-01-hammarskjold-uthant-14th-Session-UN-General-Assembly-un-photo-60999.jpg

Sri Chinmoy:
The Peace Meditation at the United Nations