Sri Chinmoy - Peace activist and spiritual teacher, who advocated running. Obituary at Scotsman

Sri Chinmoy embodied the spirit of peace which the world so badly needs. He did this through his poetry, his paintings, his teaching, but above all through his life and spiritual presence. Through the World Harmony Run he helped people make friends across the differences of religion, race, language, colour and culture. He enabled many of us to see these differences not as barriers but as enriching for us all. His dedicated service to the Oneness of humanity should be lifted up and remembered as an example to us all.

I treasure the inspiring memory of meeting him and share the sadness of so many people that he is no longer with us in body, although still present in spirit. I also express the sympathy and good wishes of members of the World Congress of Faiths.

Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke,

President of the World Congress of Faiths

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“His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living family are with you in this moment of grief. Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of peace and his work of bringing people from all faiths together will continue to inspire the world.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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How deeply moved are are to hear of our dear Sri Chinmoy’s departure to the Siva Loka, where he now reigns in his golden body of light, free from the limits and discomforts of the mortal sheath. In Guru’s poem, Nirvana, he wrote, “No mind, no form, I only exist; Now ceased all will and thought. The final end of Nature’s dance, I am It whom I have sought.”

For Bodhinatha and all of Gurudeva’s mathavasis at Kauai Aadheenam in Hawaii, he was a unique inspiration, living proof of the Divine possibilities within mankind. He was one of the few who spoke of God-Realization from his own experience in much the same profound manner as our Gurudeva. How he exuded love. How he showed the way of goodness and gentleness. How he lived so we might all live more perfectly, serve more selflessly. Our several encounters with him both in Kauai and New York were precious moments of joy. We are deeply appreciative to you for faciltiating these gifted moments.

Palaniswami

On Behalf of the Monks

of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii

founded in 1970 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001)

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Guru Sri Chinmoy was the God man of All God men…He
lived and breathed for the Supreme every time All the
Time….He will be missed, His energy phenomenal. His
promise of love, devotion and Surrender the
best….Only we His Disciples will understand the
gravity of this loss, for we were with him on a daily
basis….We wish all God Lovers to pause and reflect
on the Heart love of the Good and Great Man Guru Sri
Chinmoy…There Will Be no More Like Him…We must
cherish his existence every day all day till the end
of time with a smile of love and heart of cries and a
life of Devotion to God…Eternally we will miss you
Guru, Love Your Narada Michael Walden

Narada Michael Walden

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Shocked by the news of Sri Chinmoy having left our world so unexpectedly, we feel proud to have known this great guru, loyal friend and enduring supporter of our common efforts. We trust his positive influence on world affairs will be continued in his remembrance. Our feelings of sorrow are with his followers, who will miss him dearly.

Dunya Verwey, Comprehensive Dialogue among Civilizations (Netherlands)

Jurn Buisman, Maecenas World Patrimony Foundation

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Representing Ananda Marga of UK, I wish to say that we send our deepest consolation to the devotees of Sri Chinmoy.

He was a man, as I understand, who gave his life to helping people to find a spiritual path and to encourage and help people to find not only inner peace, but to reach out to find their fullest potential and to work to make this world a better place to live for everyone.

I am sure that his good teachings and example will stay in people’s hearts for a long time.

Dada Jyotirupananda Anandamarg.org

• Spiritual Leader Sri Chinmoy passes away at India Post
• Sri Chinmoy - spiritual leader and activist at Independent(1)
• Indian Philosopher dead at 76

• Tributes at Sri Chinmoy.org
• Tributes from spiritual and religious figures

• Sri Chinmoy - a Lover of God enters mahasamadhi at Mystic Saint
• So Long Sri Chinmoy -some reminisces on Sri Chinmoy
• Poetic Tributes to Sri Chinmoy -by Michael Howard
• Farewell Sri Chinmoy - by Sumangali
• Tribute to Sri Chinmoy - by Rathin Boulton
• A Tribute to Sri Chinmoy by Christopher Willis

See also Tributes to Sri Chinmoy - other media articles

Tuesday 16th October, 2007.

Visitors continue to arrive at Aspiration Ground, the final resting place of guru, Sri Chinmoy.

Sitting on the court, there is a sense of timelessness, as 24 hours a day people come to sit and meditate in silent contemplation. The silence is only very gently broken by a continuous flow of meditative music; some from the recordings of Sri Chinmoy, and others live performances from his students.

There is great beauty in the simplicity of the events unfolding. There is no set procedure, no formal time of meditation; in fact it feels there is no beginning and no ending. There is just a continuous line of pilgrims, who wait very patiently for their opportunity to pass the current resting place of Sri Chinmoy's body.

We continue to receive an overwhelming number of kind words and tributes about Sri Chinmoy. This is a small selection from the past 2 days.

• See also : Selected Comments Part I
• Tributes at Sri Chinmoy.org
• Please feel free to Post Your own Tribute

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From: Prince Dipokusumo

Yogyakarta, Indonesia,

October 15, 2007

Dear Our Beloved Guru Sri Chinmoy,

We can’t believe when we heard about you but we believe that you are still there as always for the whole word with your big love.

Thank you so much for your love and joy to our family and many people in our country, Indonesia.

Having a beautiful experience with you in Jamaica, New York in June 2006 is an unforgettable memory. We remember that we went to court everyday for meditating, singing, and listening your beautiful music; we followed you meditating in UN; we gathered with the others to celebrate Father’s Day; we took a nice picture in front of your house; we visited your wonderful museum and celebrated Prince Dipokusumo and also Adhityo’s birthday.

Then several months after we came back to our home town, a beautiful, cute and adorable baby girl was born. We name her Saraswati. It has so much bless we have that we can’t write one by one.

A beautiful memory on the Christmas trip in Penang, February 2006 that we were there for the whole family and you lifted us up. It was a remarkable experience. Another memory that keep in mind when you and your brother, Sinuhun met for the first time in the real world in the Surakarta Palace in 2003. Hopefully, you will meet him in the beautiful and peace place.

Also we still remember when you lifted up Prince Dipokusumo and his big family from Surakarta Palace in 2003 with the witness of Sinuhun. It was a remarkable memory that we never forget.

Guru,
You are our inspiration and motivator to create many beautiful things in this life....

... Guru,
We won’t say good bye to you because we believe that you have a special duty from GOD. Your spirit, your love, your energy, and your soul will still leave in our heart, forever.

Many thanks for our beloved Guru, father, uncle, grandfather Sri Chinmoy. We love you.

From Surakarta Palace — Indonesia

Prince Dipokusumo

Princess Febri

Adhityo, Maharani, Gayatri, Saraswati

Hartono Brotoasmoro

Lia

Haryo

Ama

Jojo

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finding one’s way in life is difficult even in the best of times
the presence of inspiring human beings is the surest way of receiving help and guidance in these matters
5 years of my life were spent under the direct tutelege of sri chinmoy
there are but a few real and true human beings to whom i will never ever be able to repay my debt of gratitude.
the principle reason for this is that they have transcended the merely human and attained the all.
sri chinmoy is one of these human beings my gratitude to him will remain forever endless.

- Mahavishnu

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A big soul has left this world, a great spirit went on a journey, a unique personality has touched many hearts and will always be with us.

Brigitte McMahon - Olympic Champion Triathlon

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“We have lost a great spiritual leader. The world is a poorer place without Sri Chinmoy. I am grateful he has left such a legacy of work and teachings with us and I am sure his spirit will continue to work through many of us.”

- Alison Streeter

Swum the English Channel 43 times; holder of the record for the most crossings.

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Sri Chinmoy’s life has been dedicated to spread peace and harmony around the world. With his generosity and positive energy he has touched the hearts of millions. Like his soul his message will live forever.

Francois Gay - Mr. Olympia Natural Bodybuilding

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Sri Chinmoy’s name was introduced to us through World Harmony Run and we thought what a great man this was to initiate something so ’simple’ yet meaningful to pass the message of peace and harmony. We applaud his effort and may the Run continues on as an ongoing tribute to this great man. Our deepest condolence and sympathies to those close to him.

Harlinah Rahman

From Darussalam Mosque, Singapore

Sri Chinmoy's memorial service took place yesterday, attended by thousands of his students and dozens of luminaries from all around the world.

The ceremony opened with some minutes of meditation, filling the space with a deep and profound silence. This was followed by two of Sri Chinmoy's mantric songs peformed by his favourite musical group, an all female ensemble who have performed at venues all over the world.

Sri Chinmoy wrote this song for his students in 1974, and asked that it be sung only upon his entry into Mahasamadhi and departure from this earth. During the memorial service for Sri Chinmoy yesterday, the song was sung by a choir of Sri Chinmoy's students in a way that brought heaven down to earth.

When I am gone away,
Remember me, O children sweet,

We are most grateful for the heart-felt comments and tributes left by such a wide variety of people. (see full list of tributes...)

This is just a small sample from the first 140 comments. Many thanks again to all who have left comments.

See also: Selected Tributes II

See also: tributes from world leaders and dignitaries at Sri Chinmoy.org

The entire Integral Yoga organization and all the students of Sri Swami Satchidananda join in loving and respectful remembrance of Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy continues to be a great inspiration to so many and his message of peace and unity will always be in our hearts.
We extend all our love and prayers to the sangha of Sri Chinmoy. May all continue to feel his blessings, guidance and spiritual presence always. OM Shanthi.

Rev. Prem Anjali

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Our heartfelt prayers and condolences are extended to all the students of Sri Sri Chinmoy at this time of his passing. His was a truly divine life dedicated to humanity. Tonight ¨Yoga in Daily Life¨ members dedicated one minute´s silent prayer in his memory.

His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda

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We have lost a great spiritual leader

The world is a poorer place without Sri Chinmoy

I am grateful he has left such a legacy of work and teachings with us and I am sure his spirit will continue to work through many of us

Alison Streeter

'Queen of the Channel'

Holder of the record for swimming across the English channel, with 43 crossings.

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WHAT A SAD LOSS FOR ULTRA-RUNNING AND ULTRA-RACING !!!!!!!!!!

My BIG BIG condolences to all in the Sri Chinmoy community !!!

Was fortunate to meet disciples and Sri Chinmoy during different occations at world run 1. Allways made a deep impression to carry your warmth with me forward on the endless roads - I’ll carry it with me however long I may last on world run 2 !

With best wishes of enjoyable running to all, where ever You are :-)

Jesper Olsen

Became the first man to achieve a fully documented run around the world in 2005; Jesper is due to start a north-south 'lap' of the globe in 2008

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My personal condolences to my friends in the Sri Chinmoy Marathon team. You have always had a smile on your face. Please keep it.

Phil Essam

Australian ultrarunning legend

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I am very sad at this moment to hear of the passing of the Great Sri Chinmoy.
He has influeneced my life greatly.
I use his books to inspire myself and others.
Just yesterday I quoted Sri Chinmoy “We are the body of our Beliefs”
My hope is that his followers will be able to carry on his mission of Peace.

Former National Volleyball Coach Canada.

TV broadcaster

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Sri Chinmoy’s life has been dedicated to spread peace and harmony around the world. With his generosity and positive energy he has touched the hearts of millions. Like his soul his message will live forever.

Francois Gay

President, Swiss Natural Body Building and Fitness Federation.

Natural Mr. Universe, 1992

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Today, 13 October 2007, the Honorable Gary Ackerman, Member of Congress from New York's 5th District, offered a soul-stirring tribute to Sri Chinmoy's life. Congressman Ackerman represents the district where Sri

Chinmoy lived. They were close, personal friends for many years.