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Why I like Sri Chinmoy's Path
Sri Chinmoy has created a unique spiritual path for the modern era by harmonising ancient spiritual truths and practises with contemporary life. He demonstrates both through his activities and his teachings that today’s fast paced, active and dynamic world can serve as the perfect vehicle for the spiritual progress of sincere seekers from all walks of life.
One thing I like about Sri Chinmoy is that he doesn’t
fit into any stereotypes, he does so many unusual things not usually associated
with spiritual masters. He challenges old notions and conceptions about what a
spiritual master is and what the spiritual life entails. Most importantly Sri Chinmoy practices what he
preaches. He is a perfect exponent of his own philosophy. He asks us to go
beyond ourselves – be more kind, more humble, more spiritual, more divine. He
is our best role model, as he is all of the above things and is always transcending
his achievements in all fields of his endeavour.
Dynamism and forward movement at an accelerated
pace describe the world we live in today. These qualities are underlying elements
of Sri Chinmoy’s path. He encourages his students to take an active and dynamic
role in life – to be in the world and not of the world. The days of Himalayan
cave dwelling he says are over. He tells us that “we have to face the world and
realise the Highest in the world”. Through his relentless efforts in
weightlifting, poetry, song-writing and artwork his own life is a vivid
portrayal of meditation in dynamic action.
Sri Chinmoy has introduced physical fitness
–particularly running as a spiritual practice that can assist seekers on their
spiritual journey. Running may seem an unusual activity for a spiritual master to
endorse but he sees it not merely as a physical activity, but a vessel for
self-transcendence, personal growth and for some a profound spiritual
experience. I hadn’t run for about ten years before I started meditating, in
fact I was quite anti-running. Early on in my meditation journey Sri Chinmoy
inspired me to try running. In the beginning I found it difficult, I couldn’t run
for more than five minutes. Now I have run four marathons and I try to run
every day, it is an important part of my spiritual life. It keeps my mind
clear, my body young and energized and has helped to develop my will-power,
determination and my belief in myself.
Sri Chinmoy’s path is completely holistic, it
encompasses meditation, music, art, sport, drama, public speaking, writing,
computing, business management…. There is something for everyone, and each person is free to pick and
choose what he or she feels most inspired about. So many of our potential capacities
remain untapped and unutilized, but on this path we have the opportunity to
explore, discover, and expand our talents. For example, I always loved singing
but my singing efforts never extended beyond the shower walls. Sri Chinmoy has written an astonishing 18,000 songs
- over 12,000 of which are in his native Bengali. All of the songs
depict aspects of the seekers journey and singing them is in itself a
meditation.As well as incorparating singing into my every day spiritual practises, I have had the opportunity to sing for
audiences in New Zealand with our concert group which performs arrangements of some Sri Chinmoy's compositions . My love and appreciation for music has
increased and it is now a big part of my life.
On Sri Chinmoy’s path never a moment can be lost.
Every second of our lives can be absorbed in the spirituality, in ways that are
most suited to our personality and capacities. To me Sri Chinmoy’s path
presents endless opportunity. He has opened wide a door, revealing a richly coloured
landscape of variety, adventure and unfoldment.
Finally, Sri Chinmoy has taught me about the power of Gratitude - a
priceless jewel of a quality, and one that he has devoted considerable
attention in his writings to. He tells us -
"Sweeter than the sweetest,
Greater than the greatest
Is man's gratitude-heart."
I am extremely grateful to Sri Chinmoy for sharing his beautiful
world with me and my brothers and sisters. He has inspired all of us
with his writings, music, artwork, athletic achievements and with his
philosophy of self-transcendence. May we, his students be the
flagbearers of his philosophy as we march along this golden path that
he has built for us with his own words and deeds of love and compassion.
Gratitude
Kate.
