The Nanjing Harmony Concert

I sat in the audience with many things on my mind. The predominant thought was not spirit but rather a fax I had just received from 3000 miles away that bore me some bad news. Needless to say my mind was jumping from one thought to the next. A dimming of lights and that familiar hush of the crowd awakened me from my meanderings as Sri Chinmoy enters a room. I looked up to the stage and felt my mind cool as I saw Sri Chinmoy standing at the front of the stage, his hands folded, his body motionless. His physical stillness reflected an even deeper stillness of being into which I was feeling my worries release.

It is very difficult to describe the experience of listening to the haunting and serene music of Sri Chinmoy. In an attempt to do so I have recently written:

"The feeling of Sri Chinmoy's music is refreshing. His heart felt style and melodious compositions enable you to relax and claim your serenity and harmony that lies within. His music washes away the stresses and strains of daily living and creates an enchanting world of sound wherein you can center yourself and feel energized."

Words are an unsatisfactory representation of the joy that comes with the lessening of my minds worries. Sitting amidst the stillness of Sri Chinmoy's music, as he exudes a deep harmony of being, is truly a blessed experience. There are so few things in life that truly calm the mind. It is easy to distract oneself with entertainment and other trivialities. To truly become calm and tranquil is something completely different; that is why Sri Chinmoy’s concerts hold such a special appeal to me.

As I listened to the concert it occurred to me how much importance Sri Chinmoy puts on the unique sounds I was hearing. He puts tremendous importance on discovering the individualistic sound of each instrument that he plays. I was literally hearing sounds from around the world: from many different times and places in history. Each instrument, each song seems to tell a unique story. To skit and listen is to enter into a sound kaleidoscope, which ranges from 15th Century India to renaissance Europe to cutting edge electronic synthesizers.

It is so refreshing to hear sounds that I have never before. Those endlessly spinning thoughts in my mind seem to be caught off guard when a brand new sound appears. My mind can gloss over things it is familiar with but when Sri Chinmoy plays sounds that are brand new it stops me in my tracks. That seems to be the moment when I have the opportunity to step away from thinking and back into my heart.

Such an offering is invaluable. The fact that Sri Chinmoy offers these concerts around the globe is a testament to a spirit of goodwill and service that has touched millions of lives. By the end of the Nanjing concert I felt like a new person. Sri Chinmoy's soul stirring performance and tranquil meditation had provided an elixir for my troubles and was truly an unforgettable experience.

Written by Sujantra - a member of The Sri Chinmoy Centre of San Diego.

Click this link to find out about upcoming Sri Chinmoy Harmony Concerts.

View images of Sri Chinmoy's visit to China on The Sri Chinmoy Centre Galley
and Projjwal's Photo Site.