BOOKLET: Meditation Group Commemorating 10 Yrs Service UN Community 1980 Apr 14

Filed under Tributes and Expressions of appreciation | UN Anniversaries

INTRODUCTION

This commemorative booklet records many impressions and reflections on the service of Sri Chinmoy and the Meditation Group at the United Nations, of U.N. Secretariat officials, Ambassadors and Representatives of Member States, and associates and friends of the U. N.

Gathered from letters, certificates, speeches and private meetings, the quotes are often directed towards Sri Chinmoy personally in recognition of his service as a spiritual leader in the the pursuit of world peace.

The Meditation Group wishes to offer deepest gratitude to those whose warm expressions are recorded here and also to the many members of the U.N. Community who have been a part of our activities over the last ten years.

U Thant, Secretary-General of the United Nations (1961-1971) (29 February 1972)
Kurt Waldheim , Secretary-General of the United Nations (16 July 1976)
Pope Paul VI The Vatican (27 June 1973)
Archbishop Giovanni Cheli, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (23 September 1977)
Rikhi Jaipal, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations .. (27 March 1979)
Jorge E. Illueca, Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations (27 June 1979)
Zenon Rossides, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations (15 December 1978)
Piero Vinci, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations (5 December 1978)
Elliot L. Richardson, Special United States Ambassador to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (11 September 1978)
Isao Abe, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (5 December 1978)
Alfonso Moreno-Martinez, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations (2 November 1977)
Ilkka Olavi Pastinen, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations (15 December 1977)
David Rowe, Political Adviser United States Mission to the United Nations (3 May 1977)
David M. Thomas, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations (13 March 1978)
Davidson L Hepburn, Permanent Representative of the Bahamas to the United Nations. (13 September 1979)
Lie Julio Asensio-Wunderlich, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations (21 November 1977)
C V, Narasimhan, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Inter-agency Affairs and Co-ordination, United Nations (6 July 1978)
Robert Muller, Secretary Economic and Social Council United Nations (19 November 1977)
Aye Aye Myint-U, Daughter of former Secretary-General U Thant (15 January 1977)
Colonel RA Trimble, Chief United Nations Security and Safety Service (26 September 1977)
Nina Sibal, First Secretary Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (14 August 1979)
Henry R. Labouisse Executive Director, UNICEF (30 November 1976)
Sylvia Fuhrman, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNIS (22 June 1977)
Estefania Aldaba-Lim, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative for the International Year of the Child, United Nations (27 March 1979)
Martha Lackner, United Nations World Environment Day Coordinator (10 June 1977)
Curtis Roosevelt, Senior Programme Officer, DIESA, United Nations (1 December 1978)
Ghandikota Subba Rao, Director, UN DIESA (31 October 1978)
Jack C.S. Ling, Director Information Division, UNICEF (16 December 1976)
Mrs. Guido Pantaleoni, Jr., President United States Committee for UNICEF (31 October 1975)
Hugh L. Carey, Governor State of New York (16 September 1977)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President Special Olympics, Inc. (17 May 1979)
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, United States Senator and Former Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations
Edward I. Koch, Mayor City of New York (16 August 1978)
L. L. Mehrotra, Consul-General of India to the US (8 November 1977)
Mr. Eamon de Valera President of Ireland (15 June 1973)
Leonard Bernstein (31 October 1977)
Maestro Don Pablo Casals Composer of “Hymn to the United Nations” (5 October 1972)

“Whoever speaks to me about you is all appreciation and admiration ; and I personally feel that you have been doing a most significant task for the United Nations.” – U Thant, Secretary-General of the United Nations (1961-1971) – (29 February 1972)
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“We want only’ peace, peace. You are praying for peace. I know what you and the Group are doing for us. I know it, I can feel it.”
Kurt Waldheim , Secretary-General of the United Nations (16 July 1976

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“I want to tell you that I am truly proud of your service to the United Nations.” Pope Paul VI, The Vatican (27 June 1973)

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“Your intentions and your work in this beautiful Meditation Group under the leadership of this highly respected master of spirituality, Sri Chinmoy, are in harmony with those of the Pope.” Archbishop Giovanni Cheli, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (23 September 1977

‘There can be no higher religion than our common allegiance to humanity, which is inherent in the Charter of the United Nations, and which indeed, if I may say so, is the message that is implicit in the teachings of Sri Chinmoy.” Rikhi Jaipal, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations .. (27 March 1979)

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“We see the United Nations through Sri Chinmoy’s eyes as a church of mankind, dedicated to worshipping the aspirations of men, women and children of all races, nationalities and political and religious beliefs, for a better life …. As such, the United Nations should become a sanctuary of moral and spiritual values as a better foundation of peace.” Jorge E. Illueca, Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations (27 June 1979)

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“Work for the spirit of man is a great asset to humanity and I want to praise Sri Chinmoy for what he is doing. His work is far more important than all the conferences in the United Nations. It is far more important than ail the declarations of the United Nations-to glorify man and the higher ideas and the larger ideals that are so necessary today.” Zenon Rossides, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations (15 December 1978)

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‘Tm very happy to be here with the Meditation Group, a group which, under the very outstanding leadership of Sri Chinmoy, is working to support the spiritual values of the United Nations.” Piero Vinci, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations (5 December 1978)

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“You certainly express with great eloquence the universal spirit of the United Nations.” Elliot L. Richardson, Special United States Ambassador to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (11 September 1978)

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“For words to be really meaningful, they must be the outward expression of thoughts of inner value. I believe this is something your Group is striving to achieve.” Isao Abe, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (5 December 1978)

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“You have very outstanding individuals who know how to communicate spiritual ideas … what you are doing is worthwhile. I think I am one of those individuals who need this: I need meditation, I think we all need it.” Alfonso Moreno-Martinez, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations (2 November 1977)

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“I find no better way of describing the particular message that Finnish music conveys to us than by quoting a very beautiful thought which is found in one of the United Nations Meditation Group Bulletins …. These are very much thoughts that I believe inspire the Finnish people.” Ilkka Olavi Pastinen, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations (15 December 1977)

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I think we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Sri Chinmoy and the U.N. Meditation Group. . . for their contribution and sustaining influence in the United Nations.” David Rowe, Political Adviser United States Mission to the United Nations (3 May 1977)

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“In my opinion, the period that is observed by the United Nations Meditation Group offers a good opportunity for spiritual communion. Man is no less spiritual than physical, and therefore needs some time to commune with God … ” David M. Thomas, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations (13 March 1978)

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Dear Mr. Keefe :

Tribute to The Bahamas

As we have transacted . in person or by telephone, almost. all or the negotiations regarding the content of your letter of August 30, 1979. I hope that you vil1 forgive my delay in replying.

In any event , the purpose of this letter is to express on behalf of the Bahamas Government and people profound gratitude and appreciation for the unselfish tribute extended by the Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations. Our Foreign Ministry has been apprised or your kindness.

We received very good reports about the entire programme and I am sure that the event has helped to establish understanding among nations and strengthen existing links of friendship and unity.

Please accept my sincere wishes far continued success in a most worthwhile endeavour.

Yours sincerely.

Davidson L Hepburn, Permanent Representative of the Bahamas

to the United Nations. 13 September 1979,

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“Let me begin by reading a wonderful concept that I found on a Meditation Group brochure …. I think this is very appropriate,” Lic. Julio Asensio-Wunderlich, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations (21 November 1977)

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“I deeply appreciate your blessings and your kind sentiments. It has been a pleasure and a privilege for me to know you here.” C V, Narasimhan, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Inter-agency Affairs and Co-ordination, United Nations (6 July 1978)

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“He (Sri Chinmoy)1 makes us feel great, by reaching out for the divine. It is as simple as that. No Harvard in this world will ever give such a great and simple answer as Sri Chinmoy does.” Robert Muller, Secretary Economic and Social Council United Nations (19 November 1977)

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Father had always cherished the time he spent with you for he found in you love and tranquility . He shared with you the importance of morality and spirituality in this complex and troubled world, and he was always inspired by your humility and dedication for the enlightenment of inner self.” Aye Aye Myint-U, Daughter of U Thant (15 January 1977)

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”’I am delighted with the quality of people that you have, how dedicated and devoted they are to the Meditation Group and its ends. And I consider myself privileged to have worked with them.” Colonel RA Trimble, Chief United Nations Security and Safety Service (26 September 1977)

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” … a few months ago . . . Sri Chinmoy presented one of his beautiful paintings … as a contribution to the International Year of the Child …. There is in Sri Chinmoy’s work such a beautiful childlike quality that immediately does strike one-the lovely colours, the marvelous designs-and one remembers that in every genius there is definitely something of the child, just as in every child there is something of the genius.” Nina Sibal, First Secretary Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (14 August 1979)

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We are most grateful to the Meditation Group and to all of the others who participated in this event. It is . . . the wonderful feeling which your group expresses.” Henry R. Labouisse Executive Director, UNICEF (30 November 1976).

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“The spirit which has motivated your action is a source of encouragement to all those who are engaged in reaching out to the children of every race, creed and culture represented at the School. Through your support, you are helping to forward the principles of international understanding enumerated in the United Nations Charter and in so doing, giving recognition of your faith in the Organization.” Sylvia Fuhrman, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNIS (22 June 1977)

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“In thanking you again, we wish you continued success in your ‘magnificent obsession’ to spread love, caring and commitment, to spread an important peace which we all desire in the United Nations.” Estefania Aldaba-Lim, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative for the International Year of the Child, United Nations (27 March 1979)

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“Yours was an important contribution which reminded people of the significance of wholeness and serenity in our lives. ” Martha Lackner, United Nations World Environment Day Coordinator (10 June 1977)

1980-04-apr-14-commerating-10-yrs-service-to-un-community_Page_08 “Over the years I’ve heard many speeches about my grandmother, many talks both formal and informal, recalling what she said and what she did, but I must tell you with all my heart that the silent meditation followed by the singing is the most accurate and true expression we could ever give to Eleanor Roosevelt.” Curtis Roosevelt, Senior Programme Officer, DIESA, United Nations (1 December 1978)

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‘That stream of spiritual disciplines for the discovery of the fulfilment of man has run for many ages in India. Here we see an expression, an embodiment, a personification of that stream, in Sri Chinmoy.” Ghandikota Subba Rao, Director, UN DIESA (31 October 1978).

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‘The very kind and reassuringly committed disposition of each one of you made it a real pleasure to work with you.” Jack C.S. Ling, Director Information Division, UNICEF (16 December 1976)

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“I do want to congratulate you … on a beautiful piece of work. For me the Meditation Group established just the right mood for a very special observance.” Mrs. Guido Pantaleoni, Jr., President United States Committee for UNICEF (31 October 1975).

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“I commend you and the United Nations Meditation Group on your dedication today of U Thant Island, a symbol of world peace …. I share your hope and dream that U Thant Island will remind us all of the never-ending and essential quest for peace around the world.” Hugh L. Carey, Governor State of New York (16 September 1977) .

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“Without the dedicated and selfless work of groups like yours, Special Olympics could not exist. I thank you for all you have given us.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President Special Olympics, Inc. (17 May 1979)

United States Senate

Washington D.C.

Dear Sri Chinmoy:

I write to extend my greetings and my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of your arrival in the United States.

As United States Ambassador to your native India . as Ambassador to the United Nations — where you have served so selflessly and so well – – and now, as United States Senator from New York . I have followed your important work in America with growing admiration. You have brought joy and spiritual enlightenment to countless Americans , and indeed . to the people of many nations. and for this . we are all very much in your deb .

Please do accept my very best wishes for many more happy and successful years.

Sincerely.(signed) . Daniel Patrick Moynihan

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“To Sri Chinmoy, whose contributions as spiritual leader, meditation teacher, musician, artist and poet have been an inspiration to thousands of New Yorkers …. I commend this fine humanitarian on behalf of all our citizens.” Edward I. Koch, Mayor City of New York (16 August 1978)

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“I am most thankful … that you are still here in the United States performing a magnificent role in the service of Mother India and the whole mankind.” L. L. Mehrotra, Consul-General of India (8 November 1977)

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“I am so grateful to you for illumining me and encouraging me in the evening of my life. It is very rare that a spiritual person like you comes to visit me. Mr. Eamon de Valera President of Ireland (15 June 1973)

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“You are a miraculous model of the abundance in the creative life that we lesser mortals seek, and I can only hope that I may some day . . . participate in that cosmic fountain of stillness and profound energy which you inhabit.” Leonard Bernstein (31 October 1977)

“I am most grateful to you for granting me the most wonderful moment of my life …. Bless you, bless you, bless you! Thank you, thank you!” Maestro Don Pablo Casals Composer of “Hymn to t~e United Nations” (5 October 1972)

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