Hi Sharani,

I love petting the farm animals, too!

I enjoyed the shots of the gourds & pumpkins, and the pumpkin
postcard (I think that was in the RI group?) Can't wait to see the
spectacular foliage you anticipate; I think maybe it is too early
for the peak yet.

The funny thing is, I didn't know how to find your Rhode Island
gallery, so I put "rhode island" into the search box.  Imagine my
surprise when, among your photos, up popped a photo of my husband
and me!  Pranlobha took it (I don't remember even ever seeing it
before) and posted it.  It was taken about two years ago. We were
standing on the steps of the old church on the green in North
Scituate, Rhode Island, where we were married in 1983.

It was also fun to see the RI World Harmony Run shots and some of
your pretty photos (butterfly on flower, for instance.)

Thank you Sharani, for the many many ways you bring inspiration to
this site.

Love,
Sarah
Seattle


--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sharani_sharani
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> I went back to the farm a couple of days ago and because of Sarah's
> request for seasonal fall photos took some shots of the pumpkins
and
> gourds there that are now in my gallery album at:
> http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/gallery/members/sharani/dartmouth/
>
> I also took pictures of the peacock and some of the animals inside
the
> barn. I am so impressed with this small farm. The animals have
> nameplates on their stalls in the barn and to buy eggs and local
> produce one uses the honor system, just putting the money in a tin
box
> on a table. I learned that the black pig that likes to play with
the
> ball used to be someone's pet until they moved apartments. The
little
> goats are some kind of dwarf variety and the same thing with some
of
> the little donkeys. What a nice place to have nearby! I haven't
petted
> animals since I was a kid at the petting zoo.
>
> Hope you like the photos Sarah! I put a couple of fall shots into
the
> Rhode Island album too. The leaves are starting to turn and I think
> the foliage colours might be infinitely better than the last
couple of
> drab foliage years. Once I come up for air from postering for
> meditation workshops coming up and whatnot I will be doing a big
> Dartmouth photo shoot with one of my coworkers who owns an SLR
camera
> and has shown some of her photos in the area.
>
> Sharani
>
>
>
> --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sharani_sharani
> <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> > Yesterday offered itself as a glorious gem with bright sunshine
and
> > temperate fall-like temperatures. Since my lunch hour has been
spent
> > on more than peeling grapes lately -- :-) I gifted myself a
break from
> > some research I've been doing even at lunchtime to drive over to
a
> > farm next door to one of the other branches of the library I
work for.
> > My co-worker tells tale tales of the donkeys, sheep, goats,
horses,
> > geese, peacocks, etc. that pasture in the yard adjacent to the
> > library. They are tethered with rope to the ground without being
in a
> > pen in most instances. I've been itching to photograph them so
paid
> > the farm a visit during my lunch hour.
> >
> > This city girl was actually stumped to even know what some of
these
> > animals even were. Little goats (I think?) came right up to me
and put
> > their hooves on my chest and tried to nibble my clothing. I
petted the
> > sheep. Because all the animals were so diligently chewing on the
grass
> > or in the case of the goats insisted on practically climbing on
top of
> > me, I didn't get good photos of everybody I saw. There were all
manner
> > of equine animals that I'm not sure if they were donkeys, ponies
or
> > other miniatures?
> >
> > The enclosed yard with a hen house was fun to watch and right
next
> > door were the pigs enclosed in a fenced area filled with mud.
They
> > made snorting noises aplenty and came right up to where I stood
on the
> > other side of the fence. They were actually quite photogenic even
> > though not considered "pretty" in the conventional way. Some of
my
> > favorites that I put in my gallery album are the pigs.
> >
> > The woman from the farm introduced herself to me and we chatted.
They
> > have a farmstand where they sell produce, eggs, milk, etc. but I
> > didn't have *any* money on me so I didn't sample those wares yet.
> >
> > Has anybody here ever lived on a farm or had cows and horses,
etc? I
> > find the atmosphere of simplicity and groundedness with the
earth and
> > the world appealing. If I wasn't following a spiritual path, I
would
> > probably be drawn to some kind of "back-to-nature" lifestyle.
> >
> > I expect when time permits I will return to this New England
farm and
> > have more stories and pictures from my adventures. In the
meantime,
> > here is a link to a few photos I took yesterday at the farm.
> > http://tinyurl.com/d4pak
> >
>

TIME, YOU DO YOUR OWN WORK!


Time, you do your own work!
Let me play and let me sing.

Time, you do your own work!
Let me jump and let me run.

Time, you do your own work!
Let me dive and let me fly.

And when I am tired
Of playing and singing,
Jumping and running,
Diving and flying,
I shall invite you
To offer me your wise
Advice,
Without fail.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-
light/part12/8.html

Dear Morris,
Thanks for sharing the news of this special evening with us. Until
reading your message, I hadn't heard anything about it. Incidentally,
at our centre meeting Wednesday night the meditation felt much more
powerful than usual. Maybe we were feeling connected to the
auspiciousness of the moment as it was happening. For his writings and
compositions especially, I feel Sri Chinmoy is an eminently worthy
recipient of an honorary degree. In the single book "The Inner
Promise" alone, each essay provides what I think could be a lifetime's
worth of philosophy to assimilate.

Sharani

--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, morrisklein27
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Tonight the meditation started a little earlier, at six-thirty, rather
> than at eight.  The reason was that Sri Chinmoy was given an honorary
> degree from a distinguished Bangladeshi University.  The Chancellor of
> the University flew all the way from Bangladesh to confer this honor
> upon Sri Chinmoy.
>
> Sri Chinmoy performed on the esraj for a few minutes; and then he
> meditated in silence with the guests from the school.  After that, the
> Chancellor spoke about the history of the University and presented Sri
> Chinmoy with the honorary degree.  The gentleman spoke at length about
> Sri Chinmoy's tireless efforts towards world peace, and in particular
> his Oneness-Heart-Tears-And-Smiles programme which offers humanitarian
> aid to the needy all over the world.
>
> Sri Chinmoy, on accepting the award, spoke about how he lives in
> America, but his heart remains in Bangladesh.  And he reminisced about
> his native village, Shakpura, and the nearby city, Chittagong, and he
> said that he treasures his happy memories of his childhood there.  He
> also said that he is offering his heart's gratitude-tears to his
> mother and father and also to his brothers and sisters, who are now in
> Heaven.  Maybe Sri Chinmoy wanted to invoke their memory on this
> special occasion.
>
> After that, Sri Chinmoy lifted the Chancellor and offered his deepest
> gratitude to the man for offering him this great honour.
>
> Many groups performed tonight.  I particularly enjoyed Satyajit's
> group's performance.  They recite Guru's devotional poetry and sing
> his songs in a very simple way.  But their sheer simplicity and
> sweetness adds a lot to my Wednesday night meditation.  Sri Chinmoy
> once remarked that when Satyajit's group performs, that people who are
> sincere seekers get tremendous benefit.  He remarked that he himself
> enjoys their performances very much.
>
> After that, Sri Chinmoy read out some poems by a Bengali writer of the
> last century whose name I don't recall.  He then also spoke about a
> famous Bengali novelist, Sarat Chandra, who was really supremely
> great.  He said that Sarat Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore were great
> rivals.  He also remarked that Sarat Chandra had a dog which was
> uglier than the ugliest and, at the same time, ferocious.  Sarat
> Chandra had many literary admirers, who were themselves writers of the
> highest order.  They would come to his house and the dog would snarl
> and bite them.  But they used to offer the dog so much love.  And when
> the dog died, Sarat Chandra cried as if his own mother or father had
> died.  And his friends and literary admirers wrote poems and stories
> about this cur and read them out at its funeral!
>
> Today, September 27, was our late and beloved Jagatarini's birthday.
> There was a big photograph of Jagatarini beside Sri Chinmoy's chair.
> She was smiling in the photograph, wearing a beautiful garland of
> marigolds.  He spoke about her tireless service to the spiritual
> cause, and how her immense soul had come to bless us all.  The singers
> sang beautiful songs in her memory.  I will miss her very much, and
> will always cherish her incredible strength and sincere affection.
>
> Today is also Sri Chinmoy's twenty-third cello anniversary!  What a
> remarkable anniversary indeed.  Many, many congratulations to Sri
> Chinmoy on this great occasion.  I happen to like the cello very much
> but am afraid I'm too old to learn how to play.  But maybe following
> Sri Chinmoy's teachings means that we're never too old for anything!
>
> It's getting late so I'll sign off now.
>
> With gratitude to my vast spiritual family,
>
>
> Morris
>
>
> To me, music is not
>     Something that we see.
> Music is not even
>     Something that we feel.
> Music is something
>     That we must
>     Grow into.
>
> (Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees #9346-9348)
>
http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-service-trees/part10/348.html
>
>
> Soulful communion with the God-Melody
>  Brings forward
> Our heart's intense cry.
>
> (Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees # 15,780)
>
http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-service-trees/part16/780.html
>

HE KNELT, HE WEPT, HE PRAYED

He knelt, he wept, he prayed.

He quietly knelt,
He throbbingly wept,
He unreservedly prayed.

He knelt when he discovered
That God is All-might.

He wept when he discovered
That God is All-love.

He prayed when he discovered
That God is All-giving.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-
light/part12/7.html

Not so long ago, I saw a coyote for the first time in my life right in
Providence, the biggest city in Rhode Island. I was dropping a friend
off at her house around 10:30 at night and she lives adjacent to a 3
mile long boulevard which contains a path down its middle for walking
and running. As we drove alongside the boulevard, we sighted this
animal she said she regularly sees on the boulevard just at night. We
stopped the car and were staring at it wondering if it was a wolf or
wild dog when a late night stroller told us it was a coyote. We asked
her if she was afraid of walking late at night with the coyote nearby
and she said she's more afraid of human "predators" than animal ones.
She said that if people ignore the coyote it will ignore you although
it will consider a small pet left out at night as potential prey.

I was rather amazed to see a coyote for the first time ever in an
urban environment rather than perhaps in the deserts of Arizona where
my parents live. Apparently their presence in populated areas is
commonplace. The new issue of National Wildlife magazine has an
article about coyotes that talks about one that received a lot of
attention in New York's Central Park last March as well as other
places many coyotes live such as Chicago and Seattle.

The magazine's website contains a complete copy of the article with
photos if you too find the subject interesting.
http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=110&articleID=1404

Now I guess if some evening I hear an unusual howling noise, it might
just be the local coyotes singing at the moon!

Sharani

Hi Jody,

Thank you for the thoughtful reply..just realized I spelled philosophy
incorrectly..so I
just changed it....whoops!

Thank you for contacting the store for me, I really appreciate it...and I will
ask about
the 3100 as you have suggested...interesting conversations are always
welcome..lol
I am familiar with other group members in the San Diego area as well...so I'm
really
looking forward to learning more about it.

Thanks again..have a great evening!

Kathy
>
>
>
>
> --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sharani_sharani <no_reply@>
wrote:
> >
> > Hi Kathy,
> > If the DC area is convenient for you, another way find out about local
> > Sri Chinmoy Centre activities and classes in Washington DC would be to
> > contact this gift/stationery store located near the Cleveland Park
> > Metro. Here's a link to their website:
> > http://www.transcendence-perfection-bliss.com/
> >
> > The store is owned by the head of the Washington DC centre. Probably
> > anyone you reach when you call them up could offer information on
> > classes and becoming a member.
> >
> > Good Luck!
> > Sharani
> > p.s. if the Internet contacts have been giving you trouble maybe it's
> > because the host server recently upgraded its software to a new
> > version and some sites are in a state of transition currently.
> >
> > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kathywayment158
> > <no_reply@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Sarah,
> > >
> > > Thank you so muvh for your thoughtful reply. I've requested
> > information from the
> > > online Sri Chinmoy Site several times...and also made a few calls to
> > the Centre and
> > > have not been able to get through (including the Centre in San Diego
> > when I was there
> > > recently...however, I will make another attempt at requesting
> > information from the
> > > online site this weekend and perhaps call the local center in
> > Washington, DC on
> > > Monday...maybe my request have not "gone through"...seems to be some
> > "computer
> > > issues" going on on this end..so I'll keep trying until I get what I
> > need.
> > >
> > > It sounds as if this is exactly what I've been searching
> > for...peaceful and serene...so i
> > > will "continue" to seek out the information regarding the
> > group...until I'm finally
> > > successful at getting it (and I will be successful at getting the
> > information, even if I
> > > have to drive to the DC Centre and pick it up myself..lol)...your
> > explantion was perfect
> > > ...thanks again for taking the time to explain the philosopy of the
> > group to me..
> > > certainly clears up a lot ot things.
> > >
> > > Kathy
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sarah_inseattle
> > <no_reply@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi again, Kathy!
> > > >
> > > > You asked how a person becomes a member of the group... Have you
> > > > seen the website, http://www.srichinmoycentre.org ?  There is a
> > place there,
> > > > called "Contact Us."  You click on your country and follow what it
> > > > says; in the case of the US, you submit a form requesting
> > > > information.  The information you receive may vary, according to
> > > > whether or not you live near one of our established centres.  If you
> > > > do not live near a centre, someone will contact you with
> > > > suggestions, based on where you live. If you do live near one of our
> > > > centres, you would likely be invited to take free meditation
> > > > classes, as meditation is a cornerstone to our path. Our classes
> > > > typically offer a variety of meditation techniques, encouraging each
> > > > individual to discover what works best for them. The format and
> > > > content varies from instructor to instructor and may or may not
> > > > include music and readings, for instance. The instructors are all
> > > > experienced meditators.
> > > >
> > > > All of our classes are always free, in keeping with Indian spiritual
> > > > tradition. You can see whether you feel the classes and the group
> > > > are offering you something, and whether or not you would like to
> > > > continue by becoming a member. There is never any obligation or
> > > > pressure to become a member.  Some people decide meditation is not
> > > > for them.  Or they may not wish to meditate with a group.  Or they
> > > > may wish to explore other groups.  But others feel they want to
> > > > continue. In my case, I signed up for the class simply because I
> > > > wanted to learn to meditate.  But then, the people I met were so
> > > > nice, and Sri Chinmoy's philosophy resonated with me like nothing I
> > > > have ever encountered.  It made me so happy to go, I didn't want to
> > > > stop. So I became a member. That was more than 11 years ago!
> > > >
> > > > By the way, Sri Chinmoy has written well over a thousand books.  A
> > > > few good ones to start with are Meditation: Man-Perfection in God-
> > > > Satisfaction (how to meditate), Beyond Within (explains our
> > > > philosophy), and Wings of Joy (inspirational meditations, anecdotes
> > > > and messages to nourish your soul).  You local library may have
> > > > these or be able to get them through inter-library loan. Heart-Light
> > > > Distributors, in Seattle, has catalogues of books and CDs for sale:
> > > > http://www.srichinmoybooks.com/us
> > > >
> > > > Hope this helps!
> > > > Sarah
> > > > Seattle
> > > >
> > > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kathywayment158
> > > > <no_reply@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you Sara, Sarada & Doris....
> > > > >
> > > > > I just received your messages and read them.
> > > > >
> > > > > It helps me to understand the group philosophy a lot better
> > > > > And also actually brings peace to  me... knowing these things...
> > > > >
> > > > > Could you explain how does a person become a member of
> > > > > the group?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks again.
> > > > >
> > > > > Kathy
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sarah_inseattle
> > > > <no_reply@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dear Kathy,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Kathy, thanks for asking! It is an excellent question. Sarada's
> > > > > > explanation is "simply" perfect.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Another way to think of it: We try to make choices that will
> > > > bring
> > > > > > us closer to the highest part of ourselves, or the Supreme, or
> > > > God---
> > > > > > however one chooses to name this presence or place. We come from
> > > > all
> > > > > > kinds of religious backgrounds, or lack thereof.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Another way to think of it: We feel world harmony begins with
> > > > > > individual harmony.  We try to make choices that will help us
> > > > > > achieve harmony in our inner selves which will extend to our
> > > > outer
> > > > > > worlds.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We are inspired by Sri Chinmoy, who offers his insights on how we
> > > > > > can meet our goals. First and foremost individual and group
> > > > > > meditations; living in the heart instead of the mind; also (in no
> > > > > > particular order) reading spiritual writings, enjoying spiritual
> > > > > > music and art, following a vegetarian diet, maintaining physical
> > > > > > fitness, and serving the world.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We feel happy and calm when we resonate with the highest part of
> > > > > > ourselves, and we are all gratitude to Sri Chinmoy (whom we
> > > > > > affectionately call, Guru) for his guidance.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > With gratitude,
> > > > > > Sarah
> > > > > > Seattle
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sarada1007
> > > > > > <no_reply@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Dear Kathy,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > You will probably get other responses to your mail but the Sri
> > > > > > > Chinmoy Group philosophy is quite simple.  Most of Sri
> > > > Chinmoy's
> > > > > > > students feel that everyone has a spark of the divine inside
> > > > > > > themselves, you can say the soul.  And we try to make choices
> > > > > > > according to our soul's needs - since that is who we 'really'
> > > > are.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Similar sentiments can be expressed in a hundred different
> > > > > > ways...
> > > > > > > So this is just my own choice of words.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > With best wishes,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Sarada
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kathywayment158
> > > > > > > <no_reply@> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Can you explain the Sri Chinmoy group philosopy to me in a
> > > > > > little
> > > > > > > further detail?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com,
> > > > > > doriscott20002000
> > > > > > > <no_reply@>
> > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Today when I walked down the stairs of a certain office
> > > > > > looking
> > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > feeling a BIT down I noticed in a shelf a green sheet of
> > > > paper
> > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > was waving me to pick it up.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > When I looked closer a beautiful flower looked at me and I
> > > > > > read
> > > > > > > > > further to find out what it was about.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > There it said:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Ambrosia is a new weed that expands it's living place when
> > > > it
> > > > > > > get's
> > > > > > > > > good conditions (note by me: it lives on poor ground!).
> > > > It's
> > > > > > > pollen
> > > > > > > > > is causing allergies. You can avoid it if you discover it
> > > > on
> > > > > > > time
> > > > > > > > > and remove it. At fitting places they grow into huge
> > > > > > populations.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > What to do in case you find one?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Pull it out and dispose it.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Well, it made me laugh out loud but it was this kind of
> > > > > > laughter
> > > > > > > you
> > > > > > > > > know...
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Ill weeds grow apace!
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Doris
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

SUDDENLY

Suddenly I shall wake.

Suddenly I shall have
Flying wings.

Suddenly the sky will give me
What it has: freedom.

Suddenly I shall once more
Consciously become
What I was before:

God.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-light/part12/9.html

May I kindly offer a suggestion to the current moderators? According
to the most recent message from them to the group - message 14617 -
there is a group of people sharing the task.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration/message/14617

Perhaps when one of them is too busy to post up messages from the
group on a daily basis, there could be a back-up person to step in and
help out? It is now more than 48 hours since the group's messages have
posted  on last Thursday night. With the month of September's messages
already the lowest tally in over 3 years, I think the flow and
community spirit gets interrupted with these types of delays in
publishing to the board.

If daily updating is not possible, then we'll just have to make the
best of it but I'm hoping that this suggestion can be considered as a
means to help those of us committed to keeping this forum's heartbeat
ticking with a steady rhythm.

Sharani.

[We are so sorry about that. Sometimes, beyond all our intentions,
things happens to delay our service. We shall try hard to make this happen
as few times as possible. Sorry!]

Hello All!

With great delight I have once again returned to the Sri Chinmoy
Inspiration group.

Over the past weekend I was delighted to have the opportunity to perform
2 concerts of Sri Chinmoy's music in sunny Brisbane, Australia, with
my two good friends Rathin
(http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/rathin_boulton)
and Maleenendra. Arriving early Friday morning from our respective and
distant homes (Australia is a vast country!) we spent a solid few hours
finalising arrangements and rehearsing the songs we were to perform.

The first concert took place at the Indian Bazaar festival. The Bazaar
was held over two days at the Mt Gravat showgrounds and showcased a wide
array of all things Indian. The Brisbane Sri Chinmoy Centre had set up a
beautiful stall there, featuring an array of Jharna Kala's
(http://www.srichinmoyart.com)  , many of Sri Chinmoy's books
(http://www.srichinmoybooks.com)  , a TV playing some of Sri
Chinmoy's TV interviews and of course a selection of the delicious
cuisine otherwise to be found at My Heart Garden (the newly opened
vegetarian eatery run by centre). Quite a few other spiritual groups had
also set up stalls at the Bazaar, and combined with some tasteful
collections of statuettes of many of the cosmic gods, there was some
soulful respite to be found amongst the overriding Bollywood theme. As
we watched passers-by stopping to appreciate the Jharna Kala's and the
delicious cooking of Durba and Kapila
(http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/kapila_moses)
there was also the reassurance that our presence provided a sincere
representation of Mother India's rich spiritual heritage.

Our initial performance at the Indian Bazaar was slightly hampered by
technical difficulties. The mysterious Indian sense of time was
operating as per usual, and when we finally made it onto the main stage
we had at least had the time to run through our set an additional 3
times. However, as we began to play the realisation soon dawned that our
sound engineer was somewhat ill equipped to produce a live sound from
our instruments. Looking pleadingly in his direction was only rewarded
with additional amounts of feedback. We pressed on through our set and
were met with applause on at least two occasions. Shortly after, when
reviewing the video footage taken by Durba, we did realise that the
feedback had not been particularly audible to the audience and that
Maleenendra's voice had at least carried the essence of the songs to the
small crowd. Taking the experience in our stride, we turned our thoughts
to the following day's performance at St Mary's Catholic Church.

St Mary's was a wonderful contrast to the relative chaos of the Indian
Bazaar. A most ecumenical community led by one of the most kind-hearted
and friendly priests we had ever met were delighted to have us perform
at their Saturday evening function. About 50 people were gathered for
soulful reflection and meditation, providing the perfect environment to
manifest the exquisite beauty of Sri Chinmoy's timeless songs.

We set up our instruments and microphones directly in front of a
beautiful altar and were invited to perform at several different times
throughout the service, including during the meditation. The acoustics
were wonderful and Maleenendra's voice rang out angel-like, accompanied
by two guitars and harmonium. Afterwards, we received many kind words of
appreciation and an invitation to perform again the next time we were in
town. They were truly touched by the soulfulness of the music and
lamented that we could not perform for them every week.

We returned triumphantly to the Indian Bazaar to share our experience
with our brothers and sisters and to fill our stomachs with as many
gulab jamuns as possible. It was a really wonderful weekend and we offer
our most heartfelt thanks to the Brisbane centre for hosting us and
organising the performances.

Click here: http://www.radiosrichinmoy.org/features/radio/94   If you
would like to hear a live recording of the concert we performed in
Brisbane last year.

In oneness,
Christopher, Melbourne

[All quotes below are unofficial]

Courage is one of the most necessary qualities in the spiritual life.

It takes courage to embark on the inner journey to self-discovery. It
takes courage to continue on the journey. It takes indomitable courage
to reach the Goal of Goals.

"The significance of life
Is the constant presence
Of inner courage."
       -Sri Chinmoy

The spiritual life is not easy. In all the books I have read, from the
Bible to Budha to Ramakrishna to Sri Chinmoy, I have never read that
the spiritual life is easy.

I think Sri Chinmoy has even described God-realisation as "climbing ten
thousand Himalayas".

Yet the fact that there have been people who have realised God is
proof ultimate that it can be achieved.

As truth-seekers and God-lovers, we need sincerity and courage to
proceed on our journey.

Today I feel inspired to share with you some of Sri Chinmoy's writings
on courage:

"Courage

In one of the Upanishads, it says that the soul is not to be won by
the weakling. Courage is absolutely necessary in the spiritual life.
The very acceptance of the spiritual life demands enormous courage. It
is only a divinely courageous soul, only a divinely inspired soul,
that can swiftly reach the highest Goal.

This courage is not the courage of a haughty, rough person who will
strike others to assert his superiority; it is totally different. This
courage is our constant awareness of what we are entering into, of
what we are going to become, of what we are going to reveal. We have
to jump courageously into the ocean of spirituality, but we have to
know that we are not jumping into the sea of uncertainty. Uncertainty
and spirituality never go together. When we speak of courage, we have
to know that courage means certainty.

It is not by hook or by crook that we are going to have
God-realisation; it is through constant self-offering. Self-offering
is the most powerful weapon, for it is in self-offering that true
courage lies. When we know, feel and realise that God is ours and we
are God's, we get spontaneous courage streaming forth.
God and you are eternally one, each fulfilling the other. If you have
indomitable courage or the soul's Willpower, you can fulfil the
Supreme and the Supreme can fulfil you. This you feel on the strength
of your all-giving, all-sacrificing inner courage."
Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

"Fear And Courage

We may be afraid of God. God's infinite Vastness frightens us. God's
transcendental Height frightens us. God's immeasurable Depth frightens us.
God is both Truth and Light. God the Truth tries to lead us to the
perfect Truth. But we unfortunately feel that God the Truth is always
examining us. We feel that since we are a mountain of falsehood, since
we are making mistakes at every moment, God the Truth will punish us.
But God is all Compassion. He does not punish us. On the contrary, He
tries to illumine our mistakes and make us perfect. In the process of
evolution, He tells us that falsehood is nothing but lesser Truth. We
have to transcend falsehood and then enter into Truth. And for that,
we need a constant inner cry, which we call aspiration.
Just as we are afraid of God the Truth, so also are we afraid of God
the Light. We feel that God the Light will expose us, since we have
done many undivine things. If someone commits a theft, he wants to
hide. He is afraid of light. He feels that if he is in light, he will
be exposed. But God the Light is totally different. Here the Light
does not expose us; it illumines us. The Light tells us that darkness
also has a little light, that night too has a little bit of light.
God, being all Light, is all-pervading. Therefore, He is bound to be
in darkness as well as in Light. Of course, when He is in darkness, He
will have only a very small amount of Light, whereas in an aspiring
human being He will manifest boundless Light. Again, even if there is
just a little light, this light will grow into boundless Light. It is
like the seed that grows into a banyan tree.

Fear and courage. Fear has capacity in a negative way. It rejects
oneness. It wants to remain always individual and separate. Fear is
like the tiny drop that does not want to merge into the vast ocean. It
wants to maintain its individuality and personality. The finite is
afraid of the Infinite and, at the same time, it does not want to
confess its fear. But the vast ocean knows that its individuality and
personality are composed of countless drops of water. The infinite
knows that it has become infinite precisely because it houses the
finite in infinite measure.

On the physical plane, there are two types of fear: Fear of the
imaginary and fear of the real. Imaginary fear is far worse than real
fear because we are afraid of something that we can only imagine. We
are afraid of death because we feel that death will take away all our
earth's wants, all our earth's love, all our earth's oneness. Here we
achieve, here we accomplish; but we have no idea what is going to
happen to us in the other world. We have no idea if we shall go to
Heaven or to hell. Here on earth at least we know that we have our
dear ones and relatives to look after us. But we do not know whether
we shall meet with our dear ones in the other world or whether there
will be anyone to look after us. In fact, we do not even know if there
is another world. Therefore, the very thought, the very idea, the very
conception of death frightens us.

Like imaginary fear, we can have imaginary courage. The worst
possible imaginary courage is the courage of an atheist. He is
infinitely more insignificant than an atom in that he challenges and
denies God's existence. God is infinite. God is eternal. God is
immortal. Yet the atheist challenges God's existence; he denies God's
existence or speaks ill of God.

There are some human beings who do not pray and do not meditate, yet
they feel that they have boundless peace to offer to the world at
large. This is their imaginary courage. Or there are some human beings
who feel that they can have the world drop down at their feet at the
twinkling of an eye. Like Julius Caesar, they feel that they will be
able to say, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This is all imaginary
courage, for they are afraid of something or other. They are afraid of
a tiny, imaginary thought. A tiny thought will enter into them, say,
that their parents or dear ones are being attacked and are in very
serious condition. Then for quite a few years this wicked thought can
command them most mercilessly. Yet these human beings say that the
whole world can be placed at their feet if they want it.
Fear of the known, fear of the unknown and fear of the unknowable. We
have done many things undivine; therefore, we are afraid of the
consequences. We know that as we sow, so we shall reap. The law of
karma nobody can deny. If we have done something wrong, then we have
to pay the penalty. Here what we fear is quite known. But there is
also the unknown fear. If we do something wrong today, then we feel
that in the near future we are going to suffer for it. We have no idea
if the punishment will be severe or not. But we do know that we will
be punished. The very thought of the punishment tortures us. Although
the real punishment we shall get later on, right now the unknown fear,
the fear of the unknown, tortures us.

Fear of the unknowable is fear of what is going to happen in our life
or after our death-fear, for example, that there may be a catastrophe
and this world of ours will not last. This unknowable can be positive
or negative. Infinite Light is an unknowable Reality and it can
frighten us. Infinite night, darkness, is also an unknowable reality
that can frighten us. The infinite Light is a positive force; the
infinite night is a negative force,

We speak of the Universal Consciousness; we speak of the
Transcendental Consciousness. We achieve both the Universal
Consciousness and the Transcendental Consciousness on the strength of
our inner courage. Inner courage is nothing but constant self-giving.
Here we are all seekers. Before we became seekers we stayed with our
desire-friends, but now our friend is aspiration. God granted courage
to our body before we were spiritual, before we aspired. He thought
that with this courage we would be fully alert. He gave courage to our
vital. He thought that with this courage our vital would be dynamic.
He gave courage to our mind. He felt that with this courage our mind
would be completely clear. He gave courage to our heart. He thought
that with this courage our heart would be totally pure. Then we became
seekers. Now God has given our heart the power of oneness. He has
given our mind the power of wideness. He has given our vital the power
of compassion. He has given our body the power of sacrifice.
Then He tells us, "Children, don't be afraid of the known, don't be
afraid of the unknown, don't be afraid of the unknowable. Have courage
in the known. And then, after a while, you will have courage in the
unknown. And have courage that even the unknowable will one day become
not only knowable but completely known.

"Your parents, your grandparents, your ancestors prayed to Me.
Therefore they received Light from Me. Their light has entered into
you and you have become spiritual. And now, if you pray and you
meditate, you will also get Light from Me. Your light far surpasses
that of your parents, grandparents and ancestors. There is no
competition, but in the process of evolution I am manifesting Myself
in and through human beings more and more. There shall come a time
when I, the Unknowable, will appear before you with My infinite Peace,
Light and Bliss, and these will all become known to you. At that time,
you shall have courage within, courage without. When you dive deep
within, with your inner courage, you play with God the Creator. And
when you bring your outer courage to the fore, you play with God the
Creation. This is how you participate in My cosmic Game."

-Sri Chinmoy

University of Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland
14 June 1976

Some poems on courage:

"There is no other way
To please your inner self
than to be, yourself,
A perfect emblem of courage."
          -Sri Chinmoy

"Courage
Is God's successful inspiration
In man's body, mind, heart and soul."
         -Sri Chinmoy

"God is within me.
Therefore, I am precious.
God is for me.
Therefore, I am courageous."
        -Sri Chinmoy

"Courageously surmount each obstacle
On your spiritual journey
And continue to walk, march and run
Along the sunlit path."
        -Sri Chinmoy

************************

My gratitude to all those who post and read this site.

in oneness, Kamalakanta

Hello!

Thank you Christopher for the colourful, detailed, and delightful
message.

    I would have loved to have been there. It sounds like a nice
atmosphere with the various cultures and statues etc.

   On the same weekend a group of us, mainly from Christchurch, gave a
concert in Dunedin, a lovely city 5 hours south of Christchurch. As
the third and final concert in a series of three, it felt like a
tighter and more confident performance. Sushmitam kindly flew in from
Australia to join us. The concert would not have been the same without
her rich cello melodies - we are really grateful for her oneness and
support (and the weekend would not have been the same without her
Aussie humour!).

   Dunedin, the world's southernmost Sri Chinmoy Centre, is nestled
amongst the hills and valleys of the Otago plains. It was first
settled by the Scots. The name comes from Dųn Čideann, the Scottish
Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Dotted around the town are many historical
sites including some interesting churches. They are easily noticed by
their spires and tall turrets. You can go to:
http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/gallery/nz/dunedin

   The next day Dunedin turned on perfect spring weather for Sri
Chinmoy Marathon Team's first-ever race in the city.

   To see Photos of New Zealand concerts go to:
http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/gallery/nz/christchurch/concerts

   Also of great Inspirational value is a new Divine enterprise for
Christchurch. It has been 2 months in the making. It now looks perfect
and it will only blossom in to something even better. Here are some
photos:
http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/gallery/nz/christchurch/the_lotus_heart_gifts

   So that was my great weekend. Recordings of the concerts will be
released on radiosrichinmoy sometime soon.

Thank you. Anurakta

--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, christopher_australia
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All!
>
> With great delight I have once again returned to the Sri Chinmoy
> Inspiration group.
>
> Over the past weekend I was delighted to have the opportunity to perform
> 2 concerts of Sri Chinmoy's music in sunny Brisbane, Australia, with
> my two good friends Rathin
> (http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/rathin_boulton)
> and Maleenendra. Arriving early Friday morning from our respective and
> distant homes (Australia is a vast country!) we spent a solid few hours
> finalising arrangements and rehearsing the songs we were to perform.
>
> The first concert took place at the Indian Bazaar festival. The Bazaar
> was held over two days at the Mt Gravat showgrounds and showcased a wide
> array of all things Indian. The Brisbane Sri Chinmoy Centre had set up a
> beautiful stall there, featuring an array of Jharna Kala's
> (http://www.srichinmoyart.com)  , many of Sri Chinmoy's books
> (http://www.srichinmoybooks.com)  , a TV playing some of Sri
> Chinmoy's TV interviews and of course a selection of the delicious
> cuisine otherwise to be found at My Heart Garden (the newly opened
> vegetarian eatery run by centre). Quite a few other spiritual groups had
> also set up stalls at the Bazaar, and combined with some tasteful
> collections of statuettes of many of the cosmic gods, there was some
> soulful respite to be found amongst the overriding Bollywood theme. As
> we watched passers-by stopping to appreciate the Jharna Kala's and the
> delicious cooking of Durba and Kapila
> (http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/kapila_moses)
> there was also the reassurance that our presence provided a sincere
> representation of Mother India's rich spiritual heritage.
>
> Our initial performance at the Indian Bazaar was slightly hampered by
> technical difficulties. The mysterious Indian sense of time was
> operating as per usual, and when we finally made it onto the main stage
> we had at least had the time to run through our set an additional 3
> times. However, as we began to play the realisation soon dawned that our
> sound engineer was somewhat ill equipped to produce a live sound from
> our instruments. Looking pleadingly in his direction was only rewarded
> with additional amounts of feedback. We pressed on through our set and
> were met with applause on at least two occasions. Shortly after, when
> reviewing the video footage taken by Durba, we did realise that the
> feedback had not been particularly audible to the audience and that
> Maleenendra's voice had at least carried the essence of the songs to the
> small crowd. Taking the experience in our stride, we turned our thoughts
> to the following day's performance at St Mary's Catholic Church.
>
> St Mary's was a wonderful contrast to the relative chaos of the Indian
> Bazaar. A most ecumenical community led by one of the most kind-hearted
> and friendly priests we had ever met were delighted to have us perform
> at their Saturday evening function. About 50 people were gathered for
> soulful reflection and meditation, providing the perfect environment to
> manifest the exquisite beauty of Sri Chinmoy's timeless songs.
>
> We set up our instruments and microphones directly in front of a
> beautiful altar and were invited to perform at several different times
> throughout the service, including during the meditation. The acoustics
> were wonderful and Maleenendra's voice rang out angel-like, accompanied
> by two guitars and harmonium. Afterwards, we received many kind words of
> appreciation and an invitation to perform again the next time we were in
> town. They were truly touched by the soulfulness of the music and
> lamented that we could not perform for them every week.
>
> We returned triumphantly to the Indian Bazaar to share our experience
> with our brothers and sisters and to fill our stomachs with as many
> gulab jamuns as possible. It was a really wonderful weekend and we offer
> our most heartfelt thanks to the Brisbane centre for hosting us and
> organising the performances.
>
> Click here: http://www.radiosrichinmoy.org/features/radio/94   If you
> would like to hear a live recording of the concert we performed in
> Brisbane last year.
>
> In oneness,
> Christopher, Melbourne
>

Dear Christopher,

I can't wait to hear the music! Did you guys record?

in oneness, Kamalakanta


--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, christopher_australia
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All!
>
> With great delight I have once again returned to the Sri Chinmoy
> Inspiration group.
>
> Over the past weekend I was delighted to have the opportunity to perform
> 2 concerts of Sri Chinmoy's music in sunny Brisbane, Australia, with
> my two good friends Rathin
> (http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/rathin_boulton)
> and Maleenendra. Arriving early Friday morning from our respective and
> distant homes (Australia is a vast country!) we spent a solid few hours
> finalising arrangements and rehearsing the songs we were to perform.
>
> The first concert took place at the Indian Bazaar festival. The Bazaar
> was held over two days at the Mt Gravat showgrounds and showcased a wide
> array of all things Indian. The Brisbane Sri Chinmoy Centre had set up a
> beautiful stall there, featuring an array of Jharna Kala's
> (http://www.srichinmoyart.com)  , many of Sri Chinmoy's books
> (http://www.srichinmoybooks.com)  , a TV playing some of Sri
> Chinmoy's TV interviews and of course a selection of the delicious
> cuisine otherwise to be found at My Heart Garden (the newly opened
> vegetarian eatery run by centre). Quite a few other spiritual groups had
> also set up stalls at the Bazaar, and combined with some tasteful
> collections of statuettes of many of the cosmic gods, there was some
> soulful respite to be found amongst the overriding Bollywood theme. As
> we watched passers-by stopping to appreciate the Jharna Kala's and the
> delicious cooking of Durba and Kapila
> (http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/Members/kapila_moses)
> there was also the reassurance that our presence provided a sincere
> representation of Mother India's rich spiritual heritage.
>
> Our initial performance at the Indian Bazaar was slightly hampered by
> technical difficulties. The mysterious Indian sense of time was
> operating as per usual, and when we finally made it onto the main stage
> we had at least had the time to run through our set an additional 3
> times. However, as we began to play the realisation soon dawned that our
> sound engineer was somewhat ill equipped to produce a live sound from
> our instruments. Looking pleadingly in his direction was only rewarded
> with additional amounts of feedback. We pressed on through our set and
> were met with applause on at least two occasions. Shortly after, when
> reviewing the video footage taken by Durba, we did realise that the
> feedback had not been particularly audible to the audience and that
> Maleenendra's voice had at least carried the essence of the songs to the
> small crowd. Taking the experience in our stride, we turned our thoughts
> to the following day's performance at St Mary's Catholic Church.
>
> St Mary's was a wonderful contrast to the relative chaos of the Indian
> Bazaar. A most ecumenical community led by one of the most kind-hearted
> and friendly priests we had ever met were delighted to have us perform
> at their Saturday evening function. About 50 people were gathered for
> soulful reflection and meditation, providing the perfect environment to
> manifest the exquisite beauty of Sri Chinmoy's timeless songs.
>
> We set up our instruments and microphones directly in front of a
> beautiful altar and were invited to perform at several different times
> throughout the service, including during the meditation. The acoustics
> were wonderful and Maleenendra's voice rang out angel-like, accompanied
> by two guitars and harmonium. Afterwards, we received many kind words of
> appreciation and an invitation to perform again the next time we were in
> town. They were truly touched by the soulfulness of the music and
> lamented that we could not perform for them every week.
>
> We returned triumphantly to the Indian Bazaar to share our experience
> with our brothers and sisters and to fill our stomachs with as many
> gulab jamuns as possible. It was a really wonderful weekend and we offer
> our most heartfelt thanks to the Brisbane centre for hosting us and
> organising the performances.
>
> Click here: http://www.radiosrichinmoy.org/features/radio/94   If you
> would like to hear a live recording of the concert we performed in
> Brisbane last year.
>
> In oneness,
> Christopher, Melbourne
>

Dear Prachar, excellent site, and excellent work!

You guys are amazing. The dynamism achieved by the Australian + New
Zealand Sri Chinmoy Centre is worthy of our deepest admiration.

in oneness, Kamalakanta





--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, one_prachar
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> This weekend (30 September/1 October) the annual Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour
> race will be staged in Adelaide, doubling as the Australian 24-Hour
> Championship.
>
> Follow the progress of the race throughout the day and night with
> 3-hourly updates posted on the Sri Chinmoy Races Australia Blog, as
> well as frequent additions to the race photo gallery, video interviews
> with runners and more...
>
> http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/au/blog
>
> Posted by Prachar
>

MONEY DIVINELY ACQUIRED

Money is the joy of the poor.
More money is the joy of the rich.

Joy is the money of the budding seeker.
More joy is the money of the blossomed seeker.

Money divinely acquired and used,
Joy divinely achieved and distributed
Can alone
Touch the very Heart
Of God.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-light/part12/10.html

Kamalakanta,

I am appreciating this post like anything; it is moving me to tears
in some way that I do not understand.

>It is not by hook or by crook that we are going to have
> God-realisation; it is through constant self-offering. Self-
offering
> is the most powerful weapon, for it is in self-offering that true
> courage lies.

How can we increase our self-offering? What is the path to self-
offering?

> "God is within me.
> Therefore, I am precious.
> God is for me.
> Therefore, I am courageous."
>        -Sri Chinmoy
>

In oneness,
Sarah
Seattle


--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kamalakanta47
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> [All quotes below are unofficial]
>
> Courage is one of the most necessary qualities in the spiritual
life.
>
> It takes courage to embark on the inner journey to self-discovery.
It
> takes courage to continue on the journey. It takes indomitable
courage
> to reach the Goal of Goals.
>
> "The significance of life
> Is the constant presence
> Of inner courage."
>       -Sri Chinmoy
>
> The spiritual life is not easy. In all the books I have read, from
the
> Bible to Budha to Ramakrishna to Sri Chinmoy, I have never read
that
> the spiritual life is easy.
>
> I think Sri Chinmoy has even described God-realisation
as "climbing ten
> thousand Himalayas".
>
> Yet the fact that there have been people who have realised God is
> proof ultimate that it can be achieved.
>
> As truth-seekers and God-lovers, we need sincerity and courage to
> proceed on our journey.
>
> Today I feel inspired to share with you some of Sri Chinmoy's
writings
> on courage:
>
> "Courage
>
> In one of the Upanishads, it says that the soul is not to be won by
> the weakling. Courage is absolutely necessary in the spiritual
life.
> The very acceptance of the spiritual life demands enormous
courage. It
> is only a divinely courageous soul, only a divinely inspired soul,
> that can swiftly reach the highest Goal.
>
> This courage is not the courage of a haughty, rough person who will
> strike others to assert his superiority; it is totally different.
This
> courage is our constant awareness of what we are entering into, of
> what we are going to become, of what we are going to reveal. We
have
> to jump courageously into the ocean of spirituality, but we have to
> know that we are not jumping into the sea of uncertainty.
Uncertainty
> and spirituality never go together. When we speak of courage, we
have
> to know that courage means certainty.
>
> It is not by hook or by crook that we are going to have
> God-realisation; it is through constant self-offering. Self-
offering
> is the most powerful weapon, for it is in self-offering that true
> courage lies. When we know, feel and realise that God is ours and
we
> are God's, we get spontaneous courage streaming forth.
> God and you are eternally one, each fulfilling the other. If you
have
> indomitable courage or the soul's Willpower, you can fulfil the
> Supreme and the Supreme can fulfil you. This you feel on the
strength
> of your all-giving, all-sacrificing inner courage."
> Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> "Fear And Courage
>
> We may be afraid of God. God's infinite Vastness frightens us.
God's
> transcendental Height frightens us. God's immeasurable Depth
frightens us.
> God is both Truth and Light. God the Truth tries to lead us to the
> perfect Truth. But we unfortunately feel that God the Truth is
always
> examining us. We feel that since we are a mountain of falsehood,
since
> we are making mistakes at every moment, God the Truth will punish
us.
> But God is all Compassion. He does not punish us. On the contrary,
He
> tries to illumine our mistakes and make us perfect. In the process
of
> evolution, He tells us that falsehood is nothing but lesser Truth.
We
> have to transcend falsehood and then enter into Truth. And for
that,
> we need a constant inner cry, which we call aspiration.
> Just as we are afraid of God the Truth, so also are we afraid of
God
> the Light. We feel that God the Light will expose us, since we have
> done many undivine things. If someone commits a theft, he wants to
> hide. He is afraid of light. He feels that if he is in light, he
will
> be exposed. But God the Light is totally different. Here the Light
> does not expose us; it illumines us. The Light tells us that
darkness
> also has a little light, that night too has a little bit of light.
> God, being all Light, is all-pervading. Therefore, He is bound to
be
> in darkness as well as in Light. Of course, when He is in
darkness, He
> will have only a very small amount of Light, whereas in an aspiring
> human being He will manifest boundless Light. Again, even if there
is
> just a little light, this light will grow into boundless Light. It
is
> like the seed that grows into a banyan tree.
>
> Fear and courage. Fear has capacity in a negative way. It rejects
> oneness. It wants to remain always individual and separate. Fear is
> like the tiny drop that does not want to merge into the vast
ocean. It
> wants to maintain its individuality and personality. The finite is
> afraid of the Infinite and, at the same time, it does not want to
> confess its fear. But the vast ocean knows that its individuality
and
> personality are composed of countless drops of water. The infinite
> knows that it has become infinite precisely because it houses the
> finite in infinite measure.
>
> On the physical plane, there are two types of fear: Fear of the
> imaginary and fear of the real. Imaginary fear is far worse than
real
> fear because we are afraid of something that we can only imagine.
We
> are afraid of death because we feel that death will take away all
our
> earth's wants, all our earth's love, all our earth's oneness. Here
we
> achieve, here we accomplish; but we have no idea what is going to
> happen to us in the other world. We have no idea if we shall go to
> Heaven or to hell. Here on earth at least we know that we have our
> dear ones and relatives to look after us. But we do not know
whether
> we shall meet with our dear ones in the other world or whether
there
> will be anyone to look after us. In fact, we do not even know if
there
> is another world. Therefore, the very thought, the very idea, the
very
> conception of death frightens us.
>
> Like imaginary fear, we can have imaginary courage. The worst
> possible imaginary courage is the courage of an atheist. He is
> infinitely more insignificant than an atom in that he challenges
and
> denies God's existence. God is infinite. God is eternal. God is
> immortal. Yet the atheist challenges God's existence; he denies
God's
> existence or speaks ill of God.
>
> There are some human beings who do not pray and do not meditate,
yet
> they feel that they have boundless peace to offer to the world at
> large. This is their imaginary courage. Or there are some human
beings
> who feel that they can have the world drop down at their feet at
the
> twinkling of an eye. Like Julius Caesar, they feel that they will
be
> able to say, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This is all imaginary
> courage, for they are afraid of something or other. They are
afraid of
> a tiny, imaginary thought. A tiny thought will enter into them,
say,
> that their parents or dear ones are being attacked and are in very
> serious condition. Then for quite a few years this wicked thought
can
> command them most mercilessly. Yet these human beings say that the
> whole world can be placed at their feet if they want it.
> Fear of the known, fear of the unknown and fear of the unknowable.
We
> have done many things undivine; therefore, we are afraid of the
> consequences. We know that as we sow, so we shall reap. The law of
> karma nobody can deny. If we have done something wrong, then we
have
> to pay the penalty. Here what we fear is quite known. But there is
> also the unknown fear. If we do something wrong today, then we feel
> that in the near future we are going to suffer for it. We have no
idea
> if the punishment will be severe or not. But we do know that we
will
> be punished. The very thought of the punishment tortures us.
Although
> the real punishment we shall get later on, right now the unknown
fear,
> the fear of the unknown, tortures us.
>
> Fear of the unknowable is fear of what is going to happen in our
life
> or after our death-fear, for example, that there may be a
catastrophe
> and this world of ours will not last. This unknowable can be
positive
> or negative. Infinite Light is an unknowable Reality and it can
> frighten us. Infinite night, darkness, is also an unknowable
reality
> that can frighten us. The infinite Light is a positive force; the
> infinite night is a negative force,
>
> We speak of the Universal Consciousness; we speak of the
> Transcendental Consciousness. We achieve both the Universal
> Consciousness and the Transcendental Consciousness on the strength
of
> our inner courage. Inner courage is nothing but constant self-
giving.
> Here we are all seekers. Before we became seekers we stayed with
our
> desire-friends, but now our friend is aspiration. God granted
courage
> to our body before we were spiritual, before we aspired. He thought
> that with this courage we would be fully alert. He gave courage to
our
> vital. He thought that with this courage our vital would be
dynamic.
> He gave courage to our mind. He felt that with this courage our
mind
> would be completely clear. He gave courage to our heart. He thought
> that with this courage our heart would be totally pure. Then we
became
> seekers. Now God has given our heart the power of oneness. He has
> given our mind the power of wideness. He has given our vital the
power
> of compassion. He has given our body the power of sacrifice.
> Then He tells us, "Children, don't be afraid of the known, don't be
> afraid of the unknown, don't be afraid of the unknowable. Have
courage
> in the known. And then, after a while, you will have courage in the
> unknown. And have courage that even the unknowable will one day
become
> not only knowable but completely known.
>
> "Your parents, your grandparents, your ancestors prayed to Me.
> Therefore they received Light from Me. Their light has entered into
> you and you have become spiritual. And now, if you pray and you
> meditate, you will also get Light from Me. Your light far surpasses
> that of your parents, grandparents and ancestors. There is no
> competition, but in the process of evolution I am manifesting
Myself
> in and through human beings more and more. There shall come a time
> when I, the Unknowable, will appear before you with My infinite
Peace,
> Light and Bliss, and these will all become known to you. At that
time,
> you shall have courage within, courage without. When you dive deep
> within, with your inner courage, you play with God the Creator. And
> when you bring your outer courage to the fore, you play with God
the
> Creation. This is how you participate in My cosmic Game."
>
> -Sri Chinmoy
>
> University of Geneva
> Geneva, Switzerland
> 14 June 1976
>
> Some poems on courage:
>
> "There is no other way
> To please your inner self
> than to be, yourself,
> A perfect emblem of courage."
>          -Sri Chinmoy
>
> "Courage
> Is God's successful inspiration
> In man's body, mind, heart and soul."
>         -Sri Chinmoy
>
> "God is within me.
> Therefore, I am precious.
> God is for me.
> Therefore, I am courageous."
>        -Sri Chinmoy
>
> "Courageously surmount each obstacle
> On your spiritual journey
> And continue to walk, march and run
> Along the sunlit path."
>        -Sri Chinmoy
>
> ************************
>
> My gratitude to all those who post and read this site.
>
> in oneness, Kamalakanta
>

Dear A/NZ 24 Hour Support Personnel,

From San Diego California U.S.A., our congratulations to Carol Baird
on the occasion of her record-breaking achievement in the 12-hour.  58
years old and she is still seriously *cranking* out the miles, er, uh,
I mean...kilometres.

Also, to Bhuvah, anyone whose name appears in the Gayatri should
consider themselves supremely fortunate ... what-a-boon!

Dharmaja
Sri Chinmoy Centre, San Diego, CA
__________________________
--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kamalakanta47
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Prachar, excellent site, and excellent work!
>
> You guys are amazing. The dynamism achieved by the Australian + New
> Zealand Sri Chinmoy Centre is worthy of our deepest admiration.
>
> in oneness, Kamalakanta
>
> --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, one_prachar
> <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> > This weekend (30 September/1 October) the annual Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour
> > race will be staged in Adelaide, doubling as the Australian 24-Hour
> > Championship.
> >
> > Follow the progress of the race throughout the day and night with
> > 3-hourly updates posted on the Sri Chinmoy Races Australia Blog, as
> > well as frequent additions to the race photo gallery, video interviews
> > with runners and more...
> >
> > http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/au/blog
> >
> > Posted by Prachar
> >
>

Recently I was helping out with a major postering effort to advertise
some meditation workshops to be given in our area. With no irreverence
intended, :-) I'm calling it integral postering. The first postering
ingredient in a state without much public transit is gas in the car.
How funny then that as I pulled into the gas station, the car ahead of
me had all these spiritual and new age bumper stickers. With my radar
on, I watched the car circle around the supermarket parking lot only
to pull up at the pump on the other side of me. Of course, I had to
share a flyer with the driver of this car even though I was across the
state line from the workshop location at that moment. She was also a
commuter and didn't live all that far from the class location.

Feeling this was an auspicious beginning to my efforts, I enjoyed
extending the theme of combining efforts and integrating the task into
the rest of my routine. One of my friends had just read the book
"Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau
which was on the American bestseller lists for a long time and from
reading the book she is now a convert to eating organic foods and
avoiding processed foods. It took me a while to crack open the book
myself or seriously warm up to the notion but even a brief experiment
in eating only organic foods (avoiding high fructose corn syrup, trans
fats, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors) has me somewhat
astounded in the radical difference I feel in my physical wellbeing.

Over the years I've been on all manner of diets and cleansing routines
but somehow had never before tried one with the angle of all-organic.
Since processed food in America is loaded with chemicals, etc., it can
be quite taxing on one's health. Now what does organic food have to do
with postering? Well stay with me now...

Postering in neighborhoods that I hadn't been to in a long time
revealed new and interesting shops. In Federal Hill, the famous
Italian section of Providence, I discovered a new shop that
specializes in organic and natural foods Italian style. I delighted in
buying some of their freshly made organic pasta and managed to eat a
healthy take-out meal from their cafe/deli while out all day
postering. I slowly pieced together a little shopping into my efforts
and all I needed once home was the energy to still feel like cooking
at the end of the day.

Did you know postering is character building as well? Normally a
little reclusive, I had lots of interesting interactions with all
different kinds of people. In one Asian restaurant, I spoke with the
owner about different religions and he said in a thick accent that he
was a catholist. I asked him to repeat himself at least twice and
finally realized he meant that he was Catholic! So I told him about
Sri Chinmoy's meetings with various Popes and his friendship with
Mother Teresa.

Last but not least, once the big push is over, having a little quiet
time is appreciated all the more. Hope lots of seekers come to the
workshops!

Sharani

Dear Friends,

Occasionally I get e-mails about some kind of break-through anti-aging
formula, or weight-loss product.

According to my calculations (I'm good at math), if I had purchased
and used all of these anti-aging products for which I've received
solicitations over the last few years, I would now have the physical
appearance of a two-year-old child.

And, now that I think of it, if I had purchased and used all of the
weight-loss items, my weight would be totally normal (for a newborn
baby).

Moral of the story: be careful what you wish for.
Moral #2:  if it sounds to good to be true, it's probably bogus.

Dharmaja C.C.
(looking younger by the minute, no wrinkles at all)

And now for today's special rave.

Etymology of bogus:

Per the Online Etymology Dictionary,
"counterfeit money," 1839, Amer.Eng., apparently from a slang word
applied in Ohio in 1827 to a counterfeiter's apparatus. Some trace
this to tantrabobus, a late 18c. colloquial Vermont (hello, Vermont!)
word for any odd-looking object, which may be connected to
tantarabobs, recorded as a Devonshire name for the devil.

Others trace it to the same source as bogey.  Bogey:  a supernatural
being, such as a ghost.

My own theory:
In the old Indian school, you could opt for the life of yoga or bhoga.
  Yoga, union with God.  Bhoga, union with and dedication to the
fulfilment of the ordinary desire-life.  So, from the spiritual point
of view, bogus (which I think is a derivative of bhoga) means the
embrace of the falsehood-life.

That will be five cents extra, please.  I accept payment thru PayPal.

Hello Morris,

I have just started update my reading of messages posted during
August Celebrations and later. I am so happy and grateful for such
beautiful news!

I also keep a sweet affection for Jagatarini who worked so strongly
in several of our countries trying to manifest the Light of the
Supreme, and she succeeded!

Please, write more about the following functions if you have a little
time!

Happy races!
Suchana




--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, morrisklein27
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Tonight the meditation started a little earlier, at six-thirty,
rather
> than at eight.  The reason was that Sri Chinmoy was given an
honorary
> degree from a distinguished Bangladeshi University.  The Chancellor
of
> the University flew all the way from Bangladesh to confer this honor
> upon Sri Chinmoy.
>
> Sri Chinmoy performed on the esraj for a few minutes; and then he
> meditated in silence with the guests from the school.  After that,
the
> Chancellor spoke about the history of the University and presented
Sri
> Chinmoy with the honorary degree.  The gentleman spoke at length
about
> Sri Chinmoy's tireless efforts towards world peace, and in
particular
> his Oneness-Heart-Tears-And-Smiles programme which offers
humanitarian
> aid to the needy all over the world.
>
> Sri Chinmoy, on accepting the award, spoke about how he lives in
> America, but his heart remains in Bangladesh.  And he reminisced
about
> his native village, Shakpura, and the nearby city, Chittagong, and
he
> said that he treasures his happy memories of his childhood there.
He
> also said that he is offering his heart's gratitude-tears to his
> mother and father and also to his brothers and sisters, who are now
in
> Heaven.  Maybe Sri Chinmoy wanted to invoke their memory on this
> special occasion.
>
> After that, Sri Chinmoy lifted the Chancellor and offered his
deepest
> gratitude to the man for offering him this great honour.
>
> Many groups performed tonight.  I particularly enjoyed Satyajit's
> group's performance.  They recite Guru's devotional poetry and sing
> his songs in a very simple way.  But their sheer simplicity and
> sweetness adds a lot to my Wednesday night meditation.  Sri Chinmoy
> once remarked that when Satyajit's group performs, that people who
are
> sincere seekers get tremendous benefit.  He remarked that he himself
> enjoys their performances very much.
>
> After that, Sri Chinmoy read out some poems by a Bengali writer of
the
> last century whose name I don't recall.  He then also spoke about a
> famous Bengali novelist, Sarat Chandra, who was really supremely
> great.  He said that Sarat Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore were
great
> rivals.  He also remarked that Sarat Chandra had a dog which was
> uglier than the ugliest and, at the same time, ferocious.  Sarat
> Chandra had many literary admirers, who were themselves writers of
the
> highest order.  They would come to his house and the dog would snarl
> and bite them.  But they used to offer the dog so much love.  And
when
> the dog died, Sarat Chandra cried as if his own mother or father had
> died.  And his friends and literary admirers wrote poems and stories
> about this cur and read them out at its funeral!
>
> Today, September 27, was our late and beloved Jagatarini's birthday.
> There was a big photograph of Jagatarini beside Sri Chinmoy's chair.
> She was smiling in the photograph, wearing a beautiful garland of
> marigolds.  He spoke about her tireless service to the spiritual
> cause, and how her immense soul had come to bless us all.  The
singers
> sang beautiful songs in her memory.  I will miss her very much, and
> will always cherish her incredible strength and sincere affection.
>
> Today is also Sri Chinmoy's twenty-third cello anniversary!  What a
> remarkable anniversary indeed.  Many, many congratulations to Sri
> Chinmoy on this great occasion.  I happen to like the cello very
much
> but am afraid I'm too old to learn how to play.  But maybe following
> Sri Chinmoy's teachings means that we're never too old for anything!
>
> It's getting late so I'll sign off now.
>
> With gratitude to my vast spiritual family,
>
>
> Morris
>
>
> To me, music is not
>     Something that we see.
> Music is not even
>     Something that we feel.
> Music is something
>     That we must
>     Grow into.
>
> (Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees #9346-9348)
> http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-service-
trees/part10/348.html
>
>
> Soulful communion with the God-Melody
>  Brings forward
> Our heart's intense cry.
>
> (Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees # 15,780)
> http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-service-
trees/part16/780.html
>

WHAT OTHERS SEE

On his path
What others see
Is the world of sorrow.

On his path
What others see
Is the dance of despair.

On his path
What others see
Is the hunger of destruction.

But
He unmistakably knows
That his path
Is the sunlit path.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-
light/part12/11.html

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What a wonderful story! I too have a tendency to be reserved and
reticent.In times when I have been put in situations where I am
forced to interact with total strangers, I have come away feeling
enriched by these encounters and wondering why I tried to avoid them
in the first place.
David




--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sharani_sharani
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Recently I was helping out with a major postering effort to
advertise
> some meditation workshops to be given in our area. With no
irreverence
> intended, :-) I'm calling it integral postering. The first postering
> ingredient in a state without much public transit is gas in the car.
> How funny then that as I pulled into the gas station, the car ahead
of
> me had all these spiritual and new age bumper stickers. With my
radar
> on, I watched the car circle around the supermarket parking lot only
> to pull up at the pump on the other side of me. Of course, I had to
> share a flyer with the driver of this car even though I was across
the
> state line from the workshop location at that moment. She was also a
> commuter and didn't live all that far from the class location.
>
> Feeling this was an auspicious beginning to my efforts, I enjoyed
> extending the theme of combining efforts and integrating the task
into
> the rest of my routine. One of my friends had just read the book
> "Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau
> which was on the American bestseller lists for a long time and from
> reading the book she is now a convert to eating organic foods and
> avoiding processed foods. It took me a while to crack open the book
> myself or seriously warm up to the notion but even a brief
experiment
> in eating only organic foods (avoiding high fructose corn syrup,
trans
> fats, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors) has me somewhat
> astounded in the radical difference I feel in my physical wellbeing.
>
> Over the years I've been on all manner of diets and cleansing
routines
> but somehow had never before tried one with the angle of all-
organic.
> Since processed food in America is loaded with chemicals, etc., it
can
> be quite taxing on one's health. Now what does organic food have to
do
> with postering? Well stay with me now...
>
> Postering in neighborhoods that I hadn't been to in a long time
> revealed new and interesting shops. In Federal Hill, the famous
> Italian section of Providence, I discovered a new shop that
> specializes in organic and natural foods Italian style. I delighted
in
> buying some of their freshly made organic pasta and managed to eat a
> healthy take-out meal from their cafe/deli while out all day
> postering. I slowly pieced together a little shopping into my
efforts
> and all I needed once home was the energy to still feel like cooking
> at the end of the day.
>
> Did you know postering is character building as well? Normally a
> little reclusive, I had lots of interesting interactions with all
> different kinds of people. In one Asian restaurant, I spoke with the
> owner about different religions and he said in a thick accent that
he
> was a catholist. I asked him to repeat himself at least twice and
> finally realized he meant that he was Catholic! So I told him about
> Sri Chinmoy's meetings with various Popes and his friendship with
> Mother Teresa.
>
> Last but not least, once the big push is over, having a little quiet
> time is appreciated all the more. Hope lots of seekers come to the
> workshops!
>
> Sharani
>

Dear Sarah,

Sri Chinmoy's writings can do that.

I feel they are flooded with wisdom, light and God's Love. Therefore, they
can move us to our core, and stir up a dormant inner cry, a cry that
has been either longing to be expressed, or searching for an answer
which it feels in those words.

in oneness, Kamalakanta



--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, sarah_inseattle
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Kamalakanta,
>
> I am appreciating this post like anything; it is moving me to tears
> in some way that I do not understand.
>
> >It is not by hook or by crook that we are going to have
> > God-realisation; it is through constant self-offering. Self-
> offering
> > is the most powerful weapon, for it is in self-offering that true
> > courage lies.
>
> How can we increase our self-offering? What is the path to self-
> offering?
>
> > "God is within me.
> > Therefore, I am precious.
> > God is for me.
> > Therefore, I am courageous."
> >        -Sri Chinmoy
> >
>
> In oneness,
> Sarah
> Seattle
>
>
> --- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kamalakanta47
> <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> > [All quotes below are unofficial]
> >
> > Courage is one of the most necessary qualities in the spiritual
> life.
> >
> > It takes courage to embark on the inner journey to self-discovery.
> It
> > takes courage to continue on the journey. It takes indomitable
> courage
> > to reach the Goal of Goals.
> >
> > "The significance of life
> > Is the constant presence
> > Of inner courage."
> >       -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > The spiritual life is not easy. In all the books I have read, from
> the
> > Bible to Budha to Ramakrishna to Sri Chinmoy, I have never read
> that
> > the spiritual life is easy.
> >
> > I think Sri Chinmoy has even described God-realisation
> as "climbing ten
> > thousand Himalayas".
> >
> > Yet the fact that there have been people who have realised God is
> > proof ultimate that it can be achieved.
> >
> > As truth-seekers and God-lovers, we need sincerity and courage to
> > proceed on our journey.
> >
> > Today I feel inspired to share with you some of Sri Chinmoy's
> writings
> > on courage:
> >
> > "Courage
> >
> > In one of the Upanishads, it says that the soul is not to be won by
> > the weakling. Courage is absolutely necessary in the spiritual
> life.
> > The very acceptance of the spiritual life demands enormous
> courage. It
> > is only a divinely courageous soul, only a divinely inspired soul,
> > that can swiftly reach the highest Goal.
> >
> > This courage is not the courage of a haughty, rough person who will
> > strike others to assert his superiority; it is totally different.
> This
> > courage is our constant awareness of what we are entering into, of
> > what we are going to become, of what we are going to reveal. We
> have
> > to jump courageously into the ocean of spirituality, but we have to
> > know that we are not jumping into the sea of uncertainty.
> Uncertainty
> > and spirituality never go together. When we speak of courage, we
> have
> > to know that courage means certainty.
> >
> > It is not by hook or by crook that we are going to have
> > God-realisation; it is through constant self-offering. Self-
> offering
> > is the most powerful weapon, for it is in self-offering that true
> > courage lies. When we know, feel and realise that God is ours and
> we
> > are God's, we get spontaneous courage streaming forth.
> > God and you are eternally one, each fulfilling the other. If you
> have
> > indomitable courage or the soul's Willpower, you can fulfil the
> > Supreme and the Supreme can fulfil you. This you feel on the
> strength
> > of your all-giving, all-sacrificing inner courage."
> > Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > * * * * * * * * *
> >
> > "Fear And Courage
> >
> > We may be afraid of God. God's infinite Vastness frightens us.
> God's
> > transcendental Height frightens us. God's immeasurable Depth
> frightens us.
> > God is both Truth and Light. God the Truth tries to lead us to the
> > perfect Truth. But we unfortunately feel that God the Truth is
> always
> > examining us. We feel that since we are a mountain of falsehood,
> since
> > we are making mistakes at every moment, God the Truth will punish
> us.
> > But God is all Compassion. He does not punish us. On the contrary,
> He
> > tries to illumine our mistakes and make us perfect. In the process
> of
> > evolution, He tells us that falsehood is nothing but lesser Truth.
> We
> > have to transcend falsehood and then enter into Truth. And for
> that,
> > we need a constant inner cry, which we call aspiration.
> > Just as we are afraid of God the Truth, so also are we afraid of
> God
> > the Light. We feel that God the Light will expose us, since we have
> > done many undivine things. If someone commits a theft, he wants to
> > hide. He is afraid of light. He feels that if he is in light, he
> will
> > be exposed. But God the Light is totally different. Here the Light
> > does not expose us; it illumines us. The Light tells us that
> darkness
> > also has a little light, that night too has a little bit of light.
> > God, being all Light, is all-pervading. Therefore, He is bound to
> be
> > in darkness as well as in Light. Of course, when He is in
> darkness, He
> > will have only a very small amount of Light, whereas in an aspiring
> > human being He will manifest boundless Light. Again, even if there
> is
> > just a little light, this light will grow into boundless Light. It
> is
> > like the seed that grows into a banyan tree.
> >
> > Fear and courage. Fear has capacity in a negative way. It rejects
> > oneness. It wants to remain always individual and separate. Fear is
> > like the tiny drop that does not want to merge into the vast
> ocean. It
> > wants to maintain its individuality and personality. The finite is
> > afraid of the Infinite and, at the same time, it does not want to
> > confess its fear. But the vast ocean knows that its individuality
> and
> > personality are composed of countless drops of water. The infinite
> > knows that it has become infinite precisely because it houses the
> > finite in infinite measure.
> >
> > On the physical plane, there are two types of fear: Fear of the
> > imaginary and fear of the real. Imaginary fear is far worse than
> real
> > fear because we are afraid of something that we can only imagine.
> We
> > are afraid of death because we feel that death will take away all
> our
> > earth's wants, all our earth's love, all our earth's oneness. Here
> we
> > achieve, here we accomplish; but we have no idea what is going to
> > happen to us in the other world. We have no idea if we shall go to
> > Heaven or to hell. Here on earth at least we know that we have our
> > dear ones and relatives to look after us. But we do not know
> whether
> > we shall meet with our dear ones in the other world or whether
> there
> > will be anyone to look after us. In fact, we do not even know if
> there
> > is another world. Therefore, the very thought, the very idea, the
> very
> > conception of death frightens us.
> >
> > Like imaginary fear, we can have imaginary courage. The worst
> > possible imaginary courage is the courage of an atheist. He is
> > infinitely more insignificant than an atom in that he challenges
> and
> > denies God's existence. God is infinite. God is eternal. God is
> > immortal. Yet the atheist challenges God's existence; he denies
> God's
> > existence or speaks ill of God.
> >
> > There are some human beings who do not pray and do not meditate,
> yet
> > they feel that they have boundless peace to offer to the world at
> > large. This is their imaginary courage. Or there are some human
> beings
> > who feel that they can have the world drop down at their feet at
> the
> > twinkling of an eye. Like Julius Caesar, they feel that they will
> be
> > able to say, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This is all imaginary
> > courage, for they are afraid of something or other. They are
> afraid of
> > a tiny, imaginary thought. A tiny thought will enter into them,
> say,
> > that their parents or dear ones are being attacked and are in very
> > serious condition. Then for quite a few years this wicked thought
> can
> > command them most mercilessly. Yet these human beings say that the
> > whole world can be placed at their feet if they want it.
> > Fear of the known, fear of the unknown and fear of the unknowable.
> We
> > have done many things undivine; therefore, we are afraid of the
> > consequences. We know that as we sow, so we shall reap. The law of
> > karma nobody can deny. If we have done something wrong, then we
> have
> > to pay the penalty. Here what we fear is quite known. But there is
> > also the unknown fear. If we do something wrong today, then we feel
> > that in the near future we are going to suffer for it. We have no
> idea
> > if the punishment will be severe or not. But we do know that we
> will
> > be punished. The very thought of the punishment tortures us.
> Although
> > the real punishment we shall get later on, right now the unknown
> fear,
> > the fear of the unknown, tortures us.
> >
> > Fear of the unknowable is fear of what is going to happen in our
> life
> > or after our death-fear, for example, that there may be a
> catastrophe
> > and this world of ours will not last. This unknowable can be
> positive
> > or negative. Infinite Light is an unknowable Reality and it can
> > frighten us. Infinite night, darkness, is also an unknowable
> reality
> > that can frighten us. The infinite Light is a positive force; the
> > infinite night is a negative force,
> >
> > We speak of the Universal Consciousness; we speak of the
> > Transcendental Consciousness. We achieve both the Universal
> > Consciousness and the Transcendental Consciousness on the strength
> of
> > our inner courage. Inner courage is nothing but constant self-
> giving.
> > Here we are all seekers. Before we became seekers we stayed with
> our
> > desire-friends, but now our friend is aspiration. God granted
> courage
> > to our body before we were spiritual, before we aspired. He thought
> > that with this courage we would be fully alert. He gave courage to
> our
> > vital. He thought that with this courage our vital would be
> dynamic.
> > He gave courage to our mind. He felt that with this courage our
> mind
> > would be completely clear. He gave courage to our heart. He thought
> > that with this courage our heart would be totally pure. Then we
> became
> > seekers. Now God has given our heart the power of oneness. He has
> > given our mind the power of wideness. He has given our vital the
> power
> > of compassion. He has given our body the power of sacrifice.
> > Then He tells us, "Children, don't be afraid of the known, don't be
> > afraid of the unknown, don't be afraid of the unknowable. Have
> courage
> > in the known. And then, after a while, you will have courage in the
> > unknown. And have courage that even the unknowable will one day
> become
> > not only knowable but completely known.
> >
> > "Your parents, your grandparents, your ancestors prayed to Me.
> > Therefore they received Light from Me. Their light has entered into
> > you and you have become spiritual. And now, if you pray and you
> > meditate, you will also get Light from Me. Your light far surpasses
> > that of your parents, grandparents and ancestors. There is no
> > competition, but in the process of evolution I am manifesting
> Myself
> > in and through human beings more and more. There shall come a time
> > when I, the Unknowable, will appear before you with My infinite
> Peace,
> > Light and Bliss, and these will all become known to you. At that
> time,
> > you shall have courage within, courage without. When you dive deep
> > within, with your inner courage, you play with God the Creator. And
> > when you bring your outer courage to the fore, you play with God
> the
> > Creation. This is how you participate in My cosmic Game."
> >
> > -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > University of Geneva
> > Geneva, Switzerland
> > 14 June 1976
> >
> > Some poems on courage:
> >
> > "There is no other way
> > To please your inner self
> > than to be, yourself,
> > A perfect emblem of courage."
> >          -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > "Courage
> > Is God's successful inspiration
> > In man's body, mind, heart and soul."
> >         -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > "God is within me.
> > Therefore, I am precious.
> > God is for me.
> > Therefore, I am courageous."
> >        -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > "Courageously surmount each obstacle
> > On your spiritual journey
> > And continue to walk, march and run
> > Along the sunlit path."
> >        -Sri Chinmoy
> >
> > ************************
> >
> > My gratitude to all those who post and read this site.
> >
> > in oneness, Kamalakanta
> >
>

There are certain concepts or qualities in the spiritual life which
are bound together, intimately related, as in a chain....

Also, at different moments, different qualities will be most important
for us, according to what obstacles we are facing on a particular day,
or what we are inspired by on that particular day or moment.

Sometimes, someone will say something that will make us aware of
something. Or we might look at Nature and be reminded of something.

Yesterday, for example, I was having a very tough day, a day when my
faith in myself was being challenged, a day when I did not know if I
could forgive myself for my own mistakes.

Walking towards work, I noticed acorns on the ground. I picked one,
and thought of the fact that inside each seed there is a tree. It
immediately struck me how beautiful this is. This seed in my hand
would one day be a strong, tall, beautiful tree, with many leaves and
branches, an inspiration to all. And I felt love for this seed, and
what it revealed to me.

And I asked myself if God sees us in the same way, with that same
sense of wonder and innocence. And this thought gave me great joy. "I
know!", I said to myself. "I am just a seed, and I will blossom in the
future. My limitations right now are temporary. My inner reality will
come to the fore and be revealed someday!" And this gave me the
strength to forgive myself, to smile at myself and others.

So today these topics of forgiveness, self-appreciation,
self-encouragement and faith in oneself are foremost in my
consciousness. Therefore, I spent some time selecting some of Sri
Chinmoy's writings on these topics, to share with you all. These
quotes are unofficial:

Forgiveness

My Lord's Name is Forgiveness. My name is hope.

To forgive the outer world I need peace. To forgive the inner world I
need perfection.

Forgiveness is the seeker's immeasurable accomplishment in both the
world of self-giving and the world of God-becoming.

Forgiveness is man's happiness-house. Forgiveness is God's Oneness-Home.
If you are deplorably weak, then you will sleeplessly remember,
strongly harbour and ceaselessly suffer. If you are soulfully brave,
then you will immediately forgive, completely forget and unimaginably
prosper.

Forget the injustice-world. Forgiveness-joy will be all yours.

Cry for the world. Look, forgiveness-light is within your easy reach.
Smile at the world. Look, forgiveness-delight is preceding you and
following you.
Forgive the world. The world will sit at your compassion-feet. Forgive
yourself. God will be dancing inside your meditation-heart.
                            -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

HARMONY

Look in the mirror
And what you see in yourself,
Try to see in others.
If you see perfection in your life,
Then see perfection in others.
If you see imperfection in yourself
And forgive yourself for your imperfection,
Then try also to forgive others
Who have the same imperfection.
The experience of oneness
In darkness or light
Brings about harmony.
Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

Time will eventually pardon you
And all your untold crimes,
But the question is
Whether you will have
the daring capacity
To forgive yourself.
       -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

Who will forgive me
If I do not forgive myself first?
	 -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * * *


It is not unwise to appreciate oneself. You can appreciate yourself
just because you feel that you are God's chosen child. If you
sincerely feel that you are God's chosen child, then you can rest
assure that God also truly feels that your life is of great importance
to Him.
           -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

The Art Of Self-Encouragement

Do you want to be always happy?
Then give up fighting
For negativity
And learn the beautiful art
Of self-encouragement.
     -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

  Your Right Of Self-Encouragement

My Lord Supreme,
I need self-newness.
How can I have it?
"My child,
You can have self-newness
Only by exercising your right
Of self-encouragement."

       -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

"No path can be too hard for you
If you have one God-gift:
Faith in yourself."
      -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

"If you have faith in yourself,
Then that is indeed
Your code of life."
       -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

"If you have faith in yourself,
Then God will smile at you.
If God has faith in you,
Then you will become
Tomorrow's God,
A new God."
      -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

Question: Sri Chinmoy, what do you consider to be the greatest
obstacle on the spiritual path?

Sri Chinmoy: "The greatest obstacle on the spiritual path is doubt,
self-doubt. There is no obstacle as dangerous as doubt. If you doubt
God, that is one thing. There is no harm in it in the sense that God
will not lose any of His infinite capacities because of your doubt.
But if you start doubting yourself, then you are totally lost. All
your inner capacities will be washed away in the torrent of your
self-doubt.

You should not doubt God and you should not doubt yourself. But if
you have to doubt one of the two, then the best thing is to doubt God.
Each moment you use the words 'I' and 'mine'. Although you claim that
you doubt yourself, at the same time you say, "I am eating, I am
breathing, my friend, my house." Here is the proof of your own
existence. God's existence you do not see and you cannot prove right
now. But your own existence you can prove because you are experiencing
it. If you use the terms 'I', 'mine' and 'my' and then say that you
don't exist, people will laugh at you. You will be caught; you will
not be able to doubt your existence. But God's existence you can doubt
if you want to, because He is not standing right in front of you; you
do not see Him or consciously feel Him. In season and out of season,
you can doubt Him.

Now, you may have absolute faith in God's existence, but you may
doubt God's Compassion. You may say, "Is God so compassionate? I have
done so many things wrong in my life. Will He give me His
Knowledge-Light? Why should He show me His unconditional Compassion?"

This is another kind of doubt. Right now you do not disbelieve God's
existence or your own existence, but you doubt God's Compassion and
God's Concern for you. Once upon a time you were a soul in the soul's
world. Who brought your soul into this world? It was God who did it.
Before you were consciously aware of spirituality, divinity and
reality, God gave you life. God gave you the message of divinity.

Already you can see how much God has given you for which you have
never asked consciously. It has all come to you through your soul. And
who created your soul? God. Who offered it to you? God. Who is going
to fulfil you through your soul? Again, it is God. So you can easily
stop doubting God's Concern.

Then you may feel that with your own capacity you cannot realise God.
This is still another kind of doubt. But if somebody else has realised
God, why should you not be able to do the same? God, the same God that
exists in him, also exists in you, only you are not aspiring enough to
see Him. All souls have come from God, not from anywhere else. So if
one person has realised God through the aspiration of his soul, anyone
can do it. You can also realise God. Your doubt is baseless. You have
to feel only that your aspiration is not yet as intense as the other
person's aspiration was. Finally you have to feel that God can never
be fulfilled until you have realised Him. God's existence needs
fulfillment in and through you. He will never be totally fulfilled as
long as you remain unrealised. If your friend has realised God but you
still remain unrealised, then rest assured that God remains
unfulfilled. He will be fulfilled only on the day when all human
beings have realised Him.

God's business is to fulfil Himself and manifest Himself on earth. If
you consciously aspire, then it becomes easier for Him to fulfil and
manifest Himself. You can rest assured that God needs your conscious
co-operation for His fulfillment. If you offer Him your sincerity and
your aspiration, and take one step toward Him, He will take
ninety-nine steps toward you. You give what you can, and God will give
you not only what He has but also what He is. What He has is infinite
Concern and what He is is infinite Light.

So the worst obstacle in the spiritual life is doubt. If you can
conquer all doubt, then you will be much closer to God-realisation.
There are many other obstacles, of course, but these obstacles are not
as dangerous as doubt. Doubt is a slow poison. If we cherish doubt
every day, this slow poison will gradually kill us. We must throw
doubt from our inner life and from our entire existence."
     -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

Question:  How can we increase our willpower?

Sri Chinmoy: There are two types of will-power. One type of will-power
we get from the Third Eye. Tremendous will-power we get if we
concentrate here. The other type of will-power is from the heart. From
here also we get intense will-power. Again, if we concentrate around
our navel, there is a kind of will-power that we get, but that
will-power is destructive; we cannot use it for a good purpose. This
will-power comes from the vital world, and if we are not totally
purified in our vital, especially in the lower vital, we may misuse
this will-power. But if the navel centre is purified, then the
will-power we get from there will be used for a divine purpose.
The will-power we have inside the heart is the soul's power. That
power we can never use for a wrong purpose. The safest of the three is
the will power that comes from the heart. When you pray and meditate,
try to feel that there is already some power inside, deep inside your
heart, which has to be brought to the fore. Will power from the navel
centre we can use for good purposes and bad purposes, for constructive
and destructive ends; but will-power from the heart can only be
utilized for good. It is very fast, like a bullet. When we use the
will-power from the navel centre, it will be very deep and
electrifying, but in the heart's will-power there is motherly
affection, concern. Tremendous will is there, but the mother's will is
also full of love and compassion Will-power from the Third Eye will be
like the father's will-power. There will be concern, but wisdom will
also be there.

The easiest way to use will-power is to take the positive approach.
Use will-power to do something positive, not to keep yourself from
doing something negative. If we say, "I shall not tell a lie," that is
important. But if we say, "I shall tell the truth," that will-power is
more effective. When we say, "I won't do it," already the negative
thing has half its power just because we are thinking about it. If we
repeat in our mind, "I won't be jealous," the word 'jealous,' the
negative quality that it embodies, ruins our mind and then we do
become jealous. If we say, "I won't be doubtful," the word 'doubt'
enters into our mind and automatically doubt comes. But if we say,
"From now on, I shall be totally devoted to God. I shall be faithful.
I shall be fully surrendered," these words are very good. Surrender
and faith and devotion are very good. If we all the time have positive
feeling, and make positive assertions, then automatically our
willpower increases.
      -Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * *

joy to all!

in oneness, Kamalakanta

I AM TIRED AND DISAPPOINTED


I am tired.

I am tired of eyeless days
And
Eyeless nights.


I am disappointed.

I am disappointed
In my earth-ascending pilgrimage
And
God's Heaven-descending pilgrimage.


Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-
light/part12/12.html

Hi dear all,

Last weekend I opened this special case. Its covers show the unique
Guru´s handwriting -I fully agree with Sharani when she says that our
Master´s handwriting expresses fondness- along with his drawings of
delicate birds and flowers full of transparence and childlike concern.

There are four colourful booklets in this case. Each one of them
contains a coloured CD -blue, green, white and red- arranged in a
light plastic pocket, with lyrics and scores. The cover of each
booklet shows different moments of Sri Chinmoy singing all these
songs in 1986 during a seven-hour meditation Concert in New York.

Looking at this case of musical jewels, Guru´s words are echoing in
my heart -¨please, get these songs for your Centres.¨ But at that
moment of Celebrations and even for the last past weeks I didn´t
realize how deep and special his gift was for us. It is said that
Guru made this recording first accompanying himself on the harmonium
in his house over the course of eleven days in 1986.

As the true Master he is, Sri Chinmoy is always teaching spiritual
newness and offering a brighter Light to the seeker beginner in me.
The unofficial lyrics that follow I am sharing with you:

-Inspiration brings aspiration.
  Aspiration invites the Lord Supreme.

-O Lord of the universe,
  I bow to You
  With my devotion absolute.

-If I get shelter at Your Feet
  My life will be blessed.

-I know, beyond the mind
  I must go to conquer the mind.

-Day and night I shall swim
  In the sweetness-hope-river.

-Beyond the mind I must go
  To see my Lord Supreme.

-I must learn, I must learn
  How to meditate on the World-Father.

from ¨Four-Hundred Blue Green White Red Song-Birds¨

Congratulations and much gratitude to the devoted hands and hearts
that created this case of Musical Jewels!:)

Affectionately,
Suchana (who dreams on learning these four hundred songs some day!)

Dear Kamalakanta,

It's good to know I am not the only one who is struggling to find
the middle path and it's also good to know that we are on the right
path.

Doris





--- In Sri_Chinmoy_Inspiration@yahoogroups.com, kamalakanta47
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> There are certain concepts or qualities in the spiritual life which
> are bound together, intimately related, as in a chain....
>
> Also, at different moments, different qualities will be most
important
> for us, according to what obstacles we are facing on a particular
day,
> or what we are inspired by on that particular day or moment.
>
> Sometimes, someone will say something that will make us aware of
> something. Or we might look at Nature and be reminded of something.
>
> Yesterday, for example, I was having a very tough day, a day when
my
> faith in myself was being challenged, a day when I did not know if
I
> could forgive myself for my own mistakes.
>
> Walking towards work, I noticed acorns on the ground. I picked one,
> and thought of the fact that inside each seed there is a tree. It
> immediately struck me how beautiful this is. This seed in my hand
> would one day be a strong, tall, beautiful tree, with many leaves
and
> branches, an inspiration to all. And I felt love for this seed, and
> what it revealed to me.
>
> And I asked myself if God sees us in the same way, with that same
> sense of wonder and innocence. And this thought gave me great
joy. "I
> know!", I said to myself. "I am just a seed, and I will blossom in
the
> future. My limitations right now are temporary. My inner reality
will
> come to the fore and be revealed someday!" And this gave me the
> strength to forgive myself, to smile at myself and others.
>
> So today these topics of forgiveness, self-appreciation,
> self-encouragement and faith in oneself are foremost in my
> consciousness. Therefore, I spent some time selecting some of Sri
> Chinmoy's writings on these topics, to share with you all. These
> quotes are unofficial:
>
> Forgiveness
>
> My Lord's Name is Forgiveness. My name is hope.
>
> To forgive the outer world I need peace. To forgive the inner
world I
> need perfection.
>
> Forgiveness is the seeker's immeasurable accomplishment in both the
> world of self-giving and the world of God-becoming.
>
> Forgiveness is man's happiness-house. Forgiveness is God's Oneness-
Home.
> If you are deplorably weak, then you will sleeplessly remember,
> strongly harbour and ceaselessly suffer. If you are soulfully
brave,
> then you will immediately forgive, completely forget and
unimaginably
> prosper.
>
> Forget the injustice-world. Forgiveness-joy will be all yours.
>
> Cry for the world. Look, forgiveness-light is within your easy
reach.
> Smile at the world. Look, forgiveness-delight is preceding you and
> following you.
> Forgive the world. The world will sit at your compassion-feet.
Forgive
> yourself. God will be dancing inside your meditation-heart.
>                            -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> HARMONY
>
> Look in the mirror
> And what you see in yourself,
> Try to see in others.
> If you see perfection in your life,
> Then see perfection in others.
> If you see imperfection in yourself
> And forgive yourself for your imperfection,
> Then try also to forgive others
> Who have the same imperfection.
> The experience of oneness
> In darkness or light
> Brings about harmony.
> Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> Time will eventually pardon you
> And all your untold crimes,
> But the question is
> Whether you will have
> the daring capacity
> To forgive yourself.
>       -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> Who will forgive me
> If I do not forgive myself first?
>  -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
	 *
>
>
> It is not unwise to appreciate oneself. You can appreciate yourself
> just because you feel that you are God's chosen child. If you
> sincerely feel that you are God's chosen child, then you can rest
> assure that God also truly feels that your life is of great
importance
> to Him.
>           -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> The Art Of Self-Encouragement
>
> Do you want to be always happy?
> Then give up fighting
> For negativity
> And learn the beautiful art
> Of self-encouragement.
>     -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
>  Your Right Of Self-Encouragement
>
> My Lord Supreme,
> I need self-newness.
> How can I have it?
> "My child,
> You can have self-newness
> Only by exercising your right
> Of self-encouragement."
>
>       -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> "No path can be too hard for you
> If you have one God-gift:
> Faith in yourself."
>      -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> "If you have faith in yourself,
> Then that is indeed
> Your code of life."
>       -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> "If you have faith in yourself,
> Then God will smile at you.
> If God has faith in you,
> Then you will become
> Tomorrow's God,
> A new God."
>      -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> Question: Sri Chinmoy, what do you consider to be the greatest
> obstacle on the spiritual path?
>
> Sri Chinmoy: "The greatest obstacle on the spiritual path is doubt,
> self-doubt. There is no obstacle as dangerous as doubt. If you
doubt
> God, that is one thing. There is no harm in it in the sense that
God
> will not lose any of His infinite capacities because of your doubt.
> But if you start doubting yourself, then you are totally lost. All
> your inner capacities will be washed away in the torrent of your
> self-doubt.
>
> You should not doubt God and you should not doubt yourself. But if
> you have to doubt one of the two, then the best thing is to doubt
God.
> Each moment you use the words 'I' and 'mine'. Although you claim
that
> you doubt yourself, at the same time you say, "I am eating, I am
> breathing, my friend, my house." Here is the proof of your own
> existence. God's existence you do not see and you cannot prove
right
> now. But your own existence you can prove because you are
experiencing
> it. If you use the terms 'I', 'mine' and 'my' and then say that you
> don't exist, people will laugh at you. You will be caught; you will
> not be able to doubt your existence. But God's existence you can
doubt
> if you want to, because He is not standing right in front of you;
you
> do not see Him or consciously feel Him. In season and out of
season,
> you can doubt Him.
>
> Now, you may have absolute faith in God's existence, but you may
> doubt God's Compassion. You may say, "Is God so compassionate? I
have
> done so many things wrong in my life. Will He give me His
> Knowledge-Light? Why should He show me His unconditional
Compassion?"
>
> This is another kind of doubt. Right now you do not disbelieve
God's
> existence or your own existence, but you doubt God's Compassion and
> God's Concern for you. Once upon a time you were a soul in the
soul's
> world. Who brought your soul into this world? It was God who did
it.
> Before you were consciously aware of spirituality, divinity and
> reality, God gave you life. God gave you the message of divinity.
>
> Already you can see how much God has given you for which you have
> never asked consciously. It has all come to you through your soul.
And
> who created your soul? God. Who offered it to you? God. Who is
going
> to fulfil you through your soul? Again, it is God. So you can
easily
> stop doubting God's Concern.
>
> Then you may feel that with your own capacity you cannot realise
God.
> This is still another kind of doubt. But if somebody else has
realised
> God, why should you not be able to do the same? God, the same God
that
> exists in him, also exists in you, only you are not aspiring
enough to
> see Him. All souls have come from God, not from anywhere else. So
if
> one person has realised God through the aspiration of his soul,
anyone
> can do it. You can also realise God. Your doubt is baseless. You
have
> to feel only that your aspiration is not yet as intense as the
other
> person's aspiration was. Finally you have to feel that God can
never
> be fulfilled until you have realised Him. God's existence needs
> fulfillment in and through you. He will never be totally fulfilled
as
> long as you remain unrealised. If your friend has realised God but
you
> still remain unrealised, then rest assured that God remains
> unfulfilled. He will be fulfilled only on the day when all human
> beings have realised Him.
>
> God's business is to fulfil Himself and manifest Himself on earth.
If
> you consciously aspire, then it becomes easier for Him to fulfil
and
> manifest Himself. You can rest assured that God needs your
conscious
> co-operation for His fulfillment. If you offer Him your sincerity
and
> your aspiration, and take one step toward Him, He will take
> ninety-nine steps toward you. You give what you can, and God will
give
> you not only what He has but also what He is. What He has is
infinite
> Concern and what He is is infinite Light.
>
> So the worst obstacle in the spiritual life is doubt. If you can
> conquer all doubt, then you will be much closer to God-realisation.
> There are many other obstacles, of course, but these obstacles are
not
> as dangerous as doubt. Doubt is a slow poison. If we cherish doubt
> every day, this slow poison will gradually kill us. We must throw
> doubt from our inner life and from our entire existence."
>     -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> Question:  How can we increase our willpower?
>
> Sri Chinmoy: There are two types of will-power. One type of will-
power
> we get from the Third Eye. Tremendous will-power we get if we
> concentrate here. The other type of will-power is from the heart.
From
> here also we get intense will-power. Again, if we concentrate
around
> our navel, there is a kind of will-power that we get, but that
> will-power is destructive; we cannot use it for a good purpose.
This
> will-power comes from the vital world, and if we are not totally
> purified in our vital, especially in the lower vital, we may misuse
> this will-power. But if the navel centre is purified, then the
> will-power we get from there will be used for a divine purpose.
> The will-power we have inside the heart is the soul's power. That
> power we can never use for a wrong purpose. The safest of the
three is
> the will power that comes from the heart. When you pray and
meditate,
> try to feel that there is already some power inside, deep inside
your
> heart, which has to be brought to the fore. Will power from the
navel
> centre we can use for good purposes and bad purposes, for
constructive
> and destructive ends; but will-power from the heart can only be
> utilized for good. It is very fast, like a bullet. When we use the
> will-power from the navel centre, it will be very deep and
> electrifying, but in the heart's will-power there is motherly
> affection, concern. Tremendous will is there, but the mother's
will is
> also full of love and compassion Will-power from the Third Eye
will be
> like the father's will-power. There will be concern, but wisdom
will
> also be there.
>
> The easiest way to use will-power is to take the positive approach.
> Use will-power to do something positive, not to keep yourself from
> doing something negative. If we say, "I shall not tell a lie,"
that is
> important. But if we say, "I shall tell the truth," that will-
power is
> more effective. When we say, "I won't do it," already the negative
> thing has half its power just because we are thinking about it. If
we
> repeat in our mind, "I won't be jealous," the word 'jealous,' the
> negative quality that it embodies, ruins our mind and then we do
> become jealous. If we say, "I won't be doubtful," the word 'doubt'
> enters into our mind and automatically doubt comes. But if we say,
> "From now on, I shall be totally devoted to God. I shall be
faithful.
> I shall be fully surrendered," these words are very good. Surrender
> and faith and devotion are very good. If we all the time have
positive
> feeling, and make positive assertions, then automatically our
> willpower increases.
>      -Sri Chinmoy
>
> * * * * * * * * *
>
> joy to all!
>
> in oneness, Kamalakanta
>

Although I enjoy it immensely, my regular routine does not usually
include finding a good spot to watch the sun rise over the water in
the morning. It's a favorite activity while I'm travelling to other
countries where our hotels are usually on a beach. While at home, I
consider myself lucky if I get out the door to drive to work without
feeling rushed. Since I live near the ocean, there are actually a few
places where one faces the east over the water.

Yesterday morning I made an excursion to commune with the sunrise and
shoot photos because it was my birthday and the daily prayer by Sri
Chinmoy featured the SUNRISE! It helped that it also happened to be my
day of the week for starting work at noon rather than 9 a.m.

My destination was a 38 acre nature trail and bird conservation area
in the next town over from where I live. It is marshy and was misty
but the sun rose with true splendour. I shared some photos from this
day in my "Really Rhode Island" photo album as well as adding some new
fall photos to my "Dartmouth Daydreams" album. They can be viewed at
this shortcut to my gallery albums at:
http://tinyurl.com/d4pak

I close with the morning prayer about the sunrise composed by Sri
Chinmoy in his daily prayer series that I enjoy reciting each day.

My God-Hunger-Cry
October 3, 2006

No surprise, no surprise, no surprise!
God comes to me every sunrise.
-Sri Chinmoy [unofficial]




[A belated happy, happier, happiest birthday, dear Sharani!]

Here's a vote of sincere thanks for the selfless efforts of the
moderators of this group...

THANK YOU!

from Prachar

[Many, many, many thank-you to you and all the regular
contributors of this forum.
Thank you for offering all of us countless inspiration jewels.]

FOR YOU

O Lord Supreme:
For You I see,
For You I feel,
For You I give,
For You I receive,
For You I can,
For You I become,
For You I am.

Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/sri-chinmoy-wings-light/part12/13.html

From:
http://www.pilotguides.com/destination_guide/europe/spain/tomato_fighting.php

Where's the Party? (with minor edits)

The world's biggest food fight takes place at the Plaza Del Pueblo in
the small town of Buņol in Spain.

Dates for the Diary

La Tomatina happens every year on the last Wednesday in August and is
the highlight of a week-long local festival in honour of the town's
patron saint, San Luis Bertrān, and the Virgin Mary. The actual tomato
throwing lasts for only two hours between 11am and 1pm.  (Two hours?
OK, sounds good, I'll bite).


What's It All About?

During the week leading up to the world famous tomato war, parades,
fireworks, music, dancing and the paella cook-off contest draw
visitors to Buņol for the annual fiesta. When the day of the great
battle dawns, local shopkeepers diligently cover their shopfronts with
sheets of plastic and twenty thousand local folk and tourists take to
the streets, as trucks loaded with around 125,000 kilos of ripe ammo
roll into the Plaza del Pueblo. Between 11am and 1pm, the streets are
awash with juice, pavements are spattered with pulp and the
participants transformed into walking, talking Bloody Marys.

As soon as the siren signalling the end of La Tomatina is sounded, the
massive clean up operation gets underway. Water is pumped from a
nearby Roman aqueduct and by mid afternoon therešs barely any trace
left of the messy melée that has taken place, much less the stench of
fruit lingering in the streets.

History

The first Tomatina took place in 1945, but no-one seems to know
exactly how it all started. Some say it began as a fracas between a
group of friends, others claim the tradition was started at a
political rally. One of the most likely accounts is that brawling
bystanders at a carnival parade seized the contents of a nearby
vegetable stall, and began throwing tomatoes at their opponents.
Initially the authorities did their best to ban what quickly became an
annual battle, but in 1959 they eventually entered into the spirit of
the event and it became an institution.

Whatever the real reason for the first tomato war, one things for
sure: these days participants need no excuse to pelt each other with
squished tomatoes, they do it just for fun!


Be Prepared

Visitors from within the European Community don't need a visa to
travel to Spain. Americans and Australians can stay in Spain for up to
three months without a visa. If you're planning to stay longer or are
in any doubt contact the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your home
country before you leave.

Getting There

The nearest airport to Buņol is 30 miles away in Valencia. To get to
the festival you'll need to take a local bus or hire a car to drive there.

It is also possible to get to Buņol by train, either from Valencia or
from Madrid.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Buņol is limited. There are places to stay to suit
all budgets in nearby Valencia, but itšs still advisable to book
ahead. For information on places to stay contact the tourist
information at Valencia.

Other Expenses

La Tomatina is the ultimate free for all. You donšt need to a ticket
to take part, just show up.

Because most people who take part in the Tomatina come to Buņol on a
day trip from Valencia, all you'll need is money for your train or bus
fare and perhaps for a bite to eat after the battle. As you'd expect,
many of the participants are alcohol fuelled, even in the morning so
you might want to bring some beer (or rose wine) money with you too. A
return ticket from Valencia by train costs around US$3, or US$2 by bus
one way (there are no return bus tickets). See below for contact
details for train and bus timetables.

Once You're There

Don't wear your holiday best and beware that anything white wont stay
clean and bright for very long (duh!). People wearing baseball caps or
carrying cameras are considered prime targets for everyone, so if
youšre determined to take pictures bring a see-though waterproof bag.

There aren't many rules to tomato warfare, but those that do exist are
in the interests of safety and public decency:

l) You can throw tomatoes and tomatoes only.
2) They must be squashed before you throw them, otherwise they can
cause a nasty bruise.
3) Although the locals tend to rip each others clothing, it is
officially forbidden and as a visitor, you will be expected to behave.

Local Attractions

Apart from La Tomatina, there isn't much in Buņol to keep the visitor
out of mischief. It is worth spending time in nearby Valencia, which
is renowned for its lively nightlife and as the birthplace of paella.

The fantastic Las Fallas festival is held in Valencia in March, when
the people parade through the streets with 50ft high papier-mâché
sculptures (known as fallas) which are constructed by local artisans
and made to look like politicians or celebrities. (Is this what
inspired Pujari?)  These grotesque structures are set alight on the
last night of the festival, amid much jollity (jollity?) and celebration.

Other highlights of the province of Valencia include a visit to the
medieval fortress town of Morello, the Roman ruins at Sagunto and the
historic palm gardens at Elx.


Similar Events

Food is an integral part of many festivals around the world, but
people are usually more interested in eating it, rather than throwing
it at each other. There is another famous food fight which takes place
three days before the beginning of lent in the town of Ivrea, in the
Piedmont area of Italy - but here oranges are used as ammo.

The Spanish seem to have more festivals than any other country -
certainly in Europe - and Tomatina is by no means the most bizarre.
Each village will have at least one fiesta during the year. Because of
the position of el toro (the bull) is Spanish culture, many of them
will have some degree of tormenting animals. Contact the Spanish
Tourist Office for more details.

submitted by D.
(oh yeah, tomato fight, like maybe you thought this was submitted by
Nandita??!?!)