Our members
We come from all backgrounds and walks of life, brought together by our shared love of meditation, spirituality and world-service.
How we started
Sri Chinmoy's students describe the journey of self-discovery that led them to the Sri Chinmoy Centre.
Abhinabha Tangerman - Amsterdam, HollandWhat really appealed to me was the combination of a profound and soulful inner life with a dynamic and versatile outer life. More »
Adesh Widmer - Zurich, SwitzerlandMy inner urge for a higher life had once again been awakened, and I felt that 'the real thing' was still missing from my life. More »
Apaga Renner - Graz, AustriaThe initial curiosity gave way to calm certainty and the joy of silence, a silence in which I can now dive every day. More »
Upasevanam and Mahanidhi - Milan, ItalyWe wanted a real Master, a living top-class Master. I used to cry every day because I was not born in the era of the Buddha, a real Master. More »
Pradeep Hoogakker - Den Haag, HollandNot only did the meditation techniques of Sri Chinmoy provide a definite sense of happiness, but my life had finally found its meaning in the pursuit of enlightenment or God-realisation, as Sri Chinmoy calls it. More »
Sarita Earp - Halifax, CanadaI had finally found what I had been searching for all those years. And 34 years later, I still say the same thing. More »
Shashanka Karlen - Geneva, SwitzerlandI slowly realised for myself that there were two things I needed in life to become really happy: meditation and a spiritual Master. More »
Tejvan Pettinger - Oxford, UKSri Chinmoy believes sport can play a significant role in an integral spiritual life. When I was 26, I started to enter some cycling races and found I did quite well. More »
Tirtha Voelckner - Munich, GermanyIn my almost 30 years as a disciple I have had so many inner and outer, challenging and happy experiences. My life is rich, inwardly rich. More »
Yasovati Steirer - Graz, AustriaOne day I saw a poster about a meditation workshop given by a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. At the workshop I felt something completely new: bubbling joy that only kept growing. More »
| 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 |
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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 Republic
Meditation: Touching The Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Reflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
My 5 a.m. strategic meditations
Sanchita Fleming Ottawa, Canada
Where the finite connects to the Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Experiences of meditation
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
Seeing the God inside my son
Utsahi St-Armand Ottawa, Canada
An intense, concentrated Fire
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
An airport meditation experience
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Spirituality means speed
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
My wife's soul comes to visit
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Getting through difficult times in your meditation
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto RicoMore stories
Sri Chinmoy's students recall some of their treasured memories.
The day my Guru accepted me as his disciple
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
My life with Sri Chinmoy
Namrata Moses New York, United States
How Sri Chinmoy appreciated enthusiasm
Prachar Stegemann Canberra, Australia
Starting a spiritual café
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
Celebrating birthdays at Guru's house
Devashishu Torpy London, United Kingdom
The day I saw my Guru's Third Eye
Vidura Groulx Montreal, Canada
The Impact of a Yogi on My Life
Agni Casanova San Juan, Puerto Rico
How I learned from Sri Chinmoy
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
It does not matter which spoon you use
Brahmacharini Rebidoux St. John's, Canada
President Gorbachev: a special soul brought down for a special reason
Mridanga Spencer Ipswich, United Kingdom
“Where there is heart, always there is a way.”
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
I just knew from the moment I saw him
Ashrita Furman New York, United States
The relationship between Guru and disciple
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, Bulgaria
Music
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
Adarsha Kelly
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Adarsha is a very powerful and soulful singer - Sri Chinmoy greatly admired his singing and would sometimes invite him to sing during his own concerts. He sings in many concerts each year, including the world wide 'Songs of the Soul' concert series honouring Sri Chinmoy's musical legacy.
- Audio »
Toshala Elliott
Auckland, New Zealand
A singer and accomplished piano accordionist, Toshala is also a member of the international women's group Shindhu.
- Stories »
- Audio »
Sadanand Magee
Dublin, Ireland
Sadanand plays all kinds of percussion instruments, especially the Indian tablas. He travels to more than 15 countries a year to play meditative music, mainly as part of the Songs of the Soul concert series.
- Audio »
More stories
Experiences of sport and self-transcendence.
All I needed was the Supreme, and I would always win
Pragati Pascale New York, United States
Listen to the inner voice
Vidura Groulx Montreal, Canada
Breaking Guinness records
Ashrita Furman New York, United States
Winning the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Vajin Armstrong Auckland, New Zealand
Running the world's longest race
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
The Ever-Transcending Goal
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandA few of our athletic members
Ashrita Furman
New York, United States
Ashrita became a student of Sri Chinmoy in 1970. Using the practise of meditation, he embarked on a 40-year journey of setting Guinness world records, and now holds more world records than any other person.
- Stories »
- Video »
Vajra Henderson
New York, United States
Vajra has been a student of Sri Chinmoy for over 50 years; his medical and massage experience is invaluable in the many ultra-distance races that we organise.
- Stories »
- Video »
Boijayanti Gomez-Badillo
New York, United States
Boijayanti is a joint race director of a number of races organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in the New York area, including the Self-Transcendece Swim-Run and the Flushing Meadows 5k race.
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
Smarana Puntigam
Vienna, Austria
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
Montpellier, France
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.
- Gallery »
Aruna Pohland
Augsburg, Germany
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 »
Peace-runners
Apaguha Vesely
Prague, Czech Republic
Apaguha travels all over the world as part of the Peace Run international team. An immensely talented photographer, he likes to offer public slideshows from his travels, combining stories with pictures of nature and people.
- Gallery »
Suhasini Septiarini
Ubud, Indonesia
Suhasini has helped to organise many memorable Peace Run ceremonies in Bali, as well as travelling to many countries with the international team.
Sweta Pradhan
Kathmandu, Nepal
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.
- Stories »
- Video »
- Gallery »
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...
Bhutan, A Country Less Travelled...
Ambarish Keenan Dublin, Ireland
Sri Chinmoy's biography, written by one of the most famous Bengali authors
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
My love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United Kingdom
A Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The Random Dog
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
The Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New ZealandArt and Photography
Ashish Zubaty
Zlin, Czech Republic
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 »
Pranlobha Kalagian
Seattle, United States
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 »
Papaha Gosline
San Diego, United States
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.
- Gallery »
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