Our members
We come from all backgrounds and walks of life, brought together by our shared love of meditation, spirituality and world-service.
Contents of this page: | 1. Our inner life:
How we joined the Sri Chinmoy Centre • Our experiences of meditation and spirituality • Stories with our teacher, Sri Chinmoy |
2. What keeps us busy (besides meditation): |
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3. Writing and poetry by Sri Chinmoy's students |
More stories
Meditation experiences by Sri Chinmoy's students.
Experiences of meditation
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandThe first time that I really understood that I had a soul
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandSeeing the God inside my son
Utsahi St-Armand Ottawa, CanadaWhere the finite connects to the Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandAn intense, concentrated Fire
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandSelf-transcendence in meditation
Kailash Beyer Zurich, SwitzerlandMeditation Nights at the Sri Chinmoy Centre
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandThe most beautiful and fulfilling of all possible experiences
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMeditation: Touching The Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandHow I became interested in meditation
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech RepublicReflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United KingdomSpirituality means speed
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, BrazilMore stories
Sri Chinmoy's students recall some of their treasured memories.
Time seemed to freeze
Brahmata Michael Ottawa, CanadaHow I learned from Sri Chinmoy
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United StatesThe relationship between Guru and disciple
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, BulgariaThe day I made a useless and ridiculous weightlifting machine for Guru
Devashishu Torpy London, United KingdomSiblings on a spiritual path
Pranlobha Kalagian Seattle, United StatesThe day I recieved my spiritual name
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto RicoThe day my Guru accepted me as his disciple
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto RicoIf I could remember this in my daily life now, I'd be a very high soul
Charana Evans Cardiff, WalesAkuti: a pioneer-jewel in our Centre
Akuti Eisamann Connecticut, United StatesPeople see something in Guru and want to be part of it
Saraswati Martín San Juan, Puerto RicoRunning for Peace
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand'It was like I was seeing who Guru really was: this extraordinary, beautiful being inside a physical body'
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandHumorous moments with Sri Chinmoy
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandBooks by members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre
Music
At Sri Chinmoy's request and encouragement, there are many musicians within the Centre who make arrangements of his meditative songs and perform them free of charge to the public. Here is a small selection of groups:
Some of our musical members
Samalya Schafer
Samalya became a student of Sri Chinmoy when he was 19. A talented athlete, he holds a current Marathon PB of 2.28h
- Stories »
- Audio »
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Adarsha Kelly
Adarsha is a very powerful and soulful singer - Sri Chinmoy greatly admired his singing and would sometimes invite him to sing during his own concerts. He sings in many concerts each year, including the world wide 'Songs of the Soul' concert series honouring Sri Chinmoy's musical legacy.
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Toshala Elliott
A singer and accomplished piano accordionist, Toshala is also a member of the international women's group Shindhu.
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More stories
Experiences of sport and self-transcendence.
Breaking Guinness records
Ashrita Furman New York, United StatesRunning a Six-Day Race
Ratuja Zub Minsk, BelarusWinning the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Vajin Armstrong Auckland, New ZealandFailures are the pillars of success
Anugata Bach New York, United StatesHow meditation helped me swim the English Channel
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech RepublicProgress-Pilgrimage: A 1200km run from Vienna to Paris
Shamita Achenbach-König Vienna, AustriaA few of our athletic members
Vajin Armstrong
Vajin is one of New Zealand's top distance runners, winning the prestigious Kepler Challenge in 2011 and the Swiss Alpine Marathon in 2016
Boijayanti Gomez-Badillo
Boijayanti is a joint race director of a number of races organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in the New York area, including the Self-Transcendece Swim-Run and the Flushing Meadows 5k race.
Jayasalini Abramovskikh
An accomplished ultra-marathon runner, triathlete and book author, Jayasalini has completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 6 and 10 day race, the 3100 Mile Race, and an ironman triathlon. She now gives meditation classes in former Soviet Union.
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Working in a spiritual enterprise
Many of Sri Chinmoy's students work in restaurants and stores dedicated to offering Sri Chinmoy's meditative consciousness to the public. Pranlobha Kalajian who works in the Silence-Heart-Nest restaurant in Seattle, describes what her working day is like.
Members who work in enterprises
Smarana Puntigam
As well as managing a gift store on Vienna's busiest street, Smarana has also completed ultrarunning's toughest challenge - the 3100 Mile Race - seven times.
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Padmasini Guillet
Padmasini lives in the south of France, where she runs a delightful cafe called Tripti Kulai. She is also the official translator of Sri Chinmoy's writings and travels all over the world to give talks on meditation.
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Shankara Smith
Shankara, along with her sister Dipika, manages the Run and Become athletic stores in the UK, which were founded by her father Ongkar with Sri Chinmoy's inspiration. She also leads the international women's music group Temple-Song-Hearts, which performs concerts of Sri Chinmoy's music all over the world.
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Peace-runners
Apaguha Vesely
Apaguha travels all over the world as part of the Peace Run international team. An immensely talented photographer, he likes to offer public slideshows from his travels, combining stories with pictures of nature and people.
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Sarankhuu Jargal
As well as helping to organise the Mongolian Peace Run, Sarankhuu always brings joy and enthusiasm to our international Peace Run team, participating in runs in the USA and Australia.
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Suhasini Septiarini
Suhasini has helped to organise many memorable Peace Run ceremonies in Bali, as well as travelling to many countries with the international team.
Creativity
Sri Chinmoy encouraged us to use meditation to enhance our capacities in many fields - including writing, poetry, art and photography. Here is a selection of musings from our members...
Bhutan, A Country Less Travelled...
Ambarish Keenan Dublin, IrelandMy love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United KingdomA Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandThe Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandSri Chinmoy's biography, written by one of the most famous Bengali authors
Mahatapa Palit New York, United StatesThe Random Dog
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandArt and Photography
Papaha Gosline
Papaha owns a gallery and art studio that focuses on showing spiritual contemporary art and producing commercial design. Inspired by the Sri Chinmoy's example, he lives a very athletic lifestyle teaching tennis part time, along with enjoying many other sports activities in sunny San Diego.
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Ashish Zubaty
Ashish's specialities are cooking and photography. He also is an enthusiastic participant in the World Harmony Run, having joined the international team on runs through Australia, the USA and Ireland.
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Pranlobha Kalagian
Pranlobha is a very keen photographer, and has used that talent to great effect on her travels throughout the world with the Peace Run.
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