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.
How I became interested in meditation
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech RepublicMeditation Nights at the Sri Chinmoy Centre
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandExperiences of meditation
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandMy wife's soul comes to visit
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMy 5 a.m. strategic meditations
Sanchita Fleming Ottawa, CanadaAn intense, concentrated Fire
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandThe first time that I really understood that I had a soul
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMeditation: Touching The Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandReflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United KingdomSpirituality means speed
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, BrazilAn airport meditation experience
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandA Divine Phone Call
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMore stories
Sri Chinmoy's students recall some of their treasured memories.
Growing up on Sri Chinmoy's path
Aruna Pohland Augsburg, GermanyA spiritual name is the name of our soul, and what we can become
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United StatesI just knew from the moment I saw him
Ashrita Furman New York, United StatesWhen I met Sri Chinmoy for the first time
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, BulgariaStarting a spiritual café
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandHow Sri Chinmoy appreciated enthusiasm
Prachar Stegemann Canberra, AustraliaIf I could remember this in my daily life now, I'd be a very high soul
Charana Evans Cardiff, WalesThe relationship between Guru and disciple
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, BulgariaNo prior experience needed
Samalya Schafer Berlin, GermanyHow I learned from Sri Chinmoy
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United StatesNow you are in the boat
Kaushalya Casey Toronto, CanadaPeople see something in Guru and want to be part of it
Saraswati Martín San Juan, Puerto RicoA barrage of Candy Bullets
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMusic
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
Apaga Renner
Apaga and her husband Dipavajan manage the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Graz. Apaga regularly offers meditation classes in her home town, and sings with Paree's International Group in concerts all over the world.
- Stories »
- Audio »
Ghantika Hammerl
Ghantika and her whole family became students of Sri Chinmoy. Ghantika plays the saxophone in Bartika's Jazz Group, an all-female group that performs Sri Chinmoy‘s melodies in a combination of jazz, rock and pop styles.
- Audio »
Agnikana Senkyrova
Agnikana has been surrounded by music since her childhood and leads a group that plays spiritual music in concerts all over Europe. She is also a fast runner over short and long distances.
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More stories
Experiences of sport and self-transcendence.
How meditation helped me swim the English Channel
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech RepublicIs it unspiritual to care about winning?
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United KingdomWhy run 3100 miles?
Smarana Puntigam Vienna, AustriaWinning the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Vajin Armstrong Auckland, New ZealandAll I needed was the Supreme, and I would always win
Pragati Pascale New York, United StatesHow sports and fitness became part of our spiritual life
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto RicoA few of our athletic 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
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- Audio »
- Gallery »
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
Abhejali Bernardova
Abhejali is a talented athlete! She first swum the English Channel in 2011 and completed the 'Oceans Seven' of famous open water swims in 2019. She most recently completed a 'Channel Triathlon' - swimming, biking and running all the way from Dover to Prague.
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
Aruna Pohland
Aruna is the proprietor of the Cosmos-Heart, a charming little café in the centre of Augsburg which serves coffee and cakes in a peaceful setting.
- Stories »
- Gallery »
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.
- Stories »
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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Peace-runners
Bayarkhuu Batbayar
Bayarkhuu has travelled the world as part of the international Peace Run team, taking part in runs in Scandinavia, Australia, Japan and Korea
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Harita Davies
Harita is the US co-ordinator for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run. She is also a formidable runner, having run the world's longest race - the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile race - three times.
Sweta Pradhan
An enthusiastic runner, Sweta helps to organise the Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run in her native Nepal, and has been part of the international team for the North American leg on three occasions.
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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...
My love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United KingdomSri Chinmoy's biography, written by one of the most famous Bengali authors
Mahatapa Palit New York, United StatesBhutan, A Country Less Travelled...
Ambarish Keenan Dublin, IrelandThe Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandThe Random Dog
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandA Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandArt and Photography
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.
- Stories »
- Gallery »
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.
- Gallery »
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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