
A simple humble way to make a difference
Some of Sri Chinmoy's students are doctors and nurses, and we often hear how hospital staff are searching for more courage, strength, endurance and cheerfulness – for the medical staff as well as the patients. So we tried to do our part in our own small way.
Food delivery
When the pandemic was at its worst in New York, some of Sri Chinmoy's students donated money so that our local New York restaurants - Annam Brahma and Smile of the Beyond - could send 15-25 meals to Queens Hospital each day.
The nursing director and also the administrative the director of the emergency ward called every day, in spite of their intense schedule, to express their gratitude on behalf of the emergency room staff. Many did not have time to go to the cafeteria to get food. Often we would tape one of Sri Chinmoy's aphorisms taped onto the mealbox: they said the first time the staff received it and read the aphorism, it was the first time they had seen a smile on their faces.
The restaurant Pranaya in Zlín, Czech Republic also had a very nice experience for a few months sending food for local hospital workers.
Banners of hope
Through our Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles service, we are trying some simple humble ways to make a difference. For example, we have prepared banners and posters of different sizes with haiku-like positive affirmations on such topics as Hope, Endurance, Cheerfulness, Positive thoughts, Courage, Compassion, Kindness – all of a universal nature.

Hospitals in Italy
In March, at the height of the spread of Covid-19 in Italy, a message of hope spread throughout the country: “Andrà tutto bene”, meaning “Everything will be alright”. Laura Alongi, our co-ordinator, discovered a poem by Sri Chinmoy that included the English phrase, and created the banner shown here. Banners like these were placed in hospitals all over Italy.
Kind remarks
Some of the remarks we have heard from these posters....
“Are these for us? Oh…then you love us.
“It’s just the right message for me”
“I’m waiting for this message”
“They are so powerful, I will frame them”
“It did me a lot of good, Doctor, you cannot understand what they meant to me”
One person applauded spontaneously after reading them. The poems appreciated most by customers were those about hope, smiling, and endurance.
Related pages
Oneness-Heart Tears and Smiles
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.

My life with Sri Chinmoy
Namrata Moses New York, United States
The first time that I really understood that I had a soul
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
I just knew from the moment I saw him
Ashrita Furman New York, United States
Time seemed to freeze
Brahmata Michael Ottawa, Canada
'You two have been friends for many hundreds of years'
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The day when everything began
Bhagavantee Paul Salzburg, Austria
It does not matter which spoon you use
Brahmacharini Rebidoux St. John's, Canada
'When you perform for me, always choose devotional songs.'
Gunthita Corda Zurich, Switzerland
A Quest for Happiness
Abhinabha Tangerman Amsterdam, Netherlands
The spiritual life is normal to me
Shankara Smith London, United Kingdom
My love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United Kingdom
'I could find out myself, but it was so much easier asking your soul'
Mridanga Spencer Ipswich, United KingdomSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students

2 things that surprised me about the spiritual life
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
What brought me to the spiritual life
Paula Correia Porto, Portugal
My typical day
Pranlobha Kalagian Seattle, United States
Siblings on a spiritual path
Pranlobha Kalagian Seattle, United States
From religion to spirituality
Muslim Badami Auckland, New Zealand
What is it like on the Peace Run?
Nikolaus Drekonja San Diego, United States