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FITNESS GURU DEFIES AGE WITH 33 FEATS OF STRENGTH

NEW YORK — Demonstrating that age is no barrier to fitness, Sri Chinmoy gave a public demonstration of his weightlifting prowess on Nov. 27 — hoisting a total of nearly 100,000 pounds in 33 separate feats of strength.

The 67-year-old fitness guru, who resumed his weightlifting career after a nine-year gap, said he wanted to prove that heart-power can challenge old age.

“I wanted to show the world that if we can go beyond the mind, then the physical body obeys us.”

Over the course of about three hours, he pushed a 300-pound stack of weights up a metal track 50 times with each arm, hoisted 200 pounds overhead with his right and left arm and did a series of standing and seated lifts using a calf-raise machine. To top everything off, he ended the evening by lifting his own body weight into the air with both arms at the same time.

Master of ceremonies Bill Pearl, five-time Mr. Universe, said, “He wasn’t lifting with his body but with his heart.”

Another member of the audience, former Mr. Olympia Frank Zane, called the evening “totally mind-blowing.”

Sri Chinmoy says he draws his strength from an inner source and hopes his weightlifting will “inspire many people to enter into the spiritual life.”

At the same time, he says he hopes it will also inspire spiritual people to enter into the fitness world.

After the weightlifting demonstration, the spiritual athlete put on another hat, becoming a spiritual musician, and offered a Peace Concert.

Both events were held at York College in Queens.

Published in Anahata Nada, Volume 27, August 1998-April 1999

INTERNATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY HELD AT UNITED NATIONS

UNITED NATIONS — For the first time ever, an “International Day of Thanksgiving” celebration was held here Nov. 25.

The unusual event, which included multi-lingual performances by representatives of several different nations, was opened with a short meditation by Sri Chinmoy, Director of the United Nations Meditation Group.

The concept of Thanksgiving is observed in several countries, and last month’s event sought to unify these different approaches under the aegis of the United Nations.

An international vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner made up of dishes from around the world was held that evening. 

Published in Anahata Nada, Dec. 1, 1975 Vol. II, No. 10

GURU GIVES CONCERT OF 150 INSTRUMENTS

JAMAICA, NY — Sri Chinmoy performed on 150 different instruments Nov. 25 at his longest concert ever.

The event, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the U.N., lasted 14 hours.

Published in Anahata Nada, Volume 25, August–Mid-December 1995

The Bengali Miracle Man

by Sri Chinmoy

Just an hour ago I spoke to my sister in India. Two days ago in an Indian newspaper in Calcutta there was an article about my lifting the big elephant. The paper said I was a “miracle man,” and claimed me as a Bengali. — 25 November 1986

Published in My Weightlifting Tears and Smiles, part 2

50 CONCERTS BEGUN FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE

Sri Chinmoy offered on Nov. 23 the first of a series of 50 peace concerts he plans to give in honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of India’s Independence next year.

The concert was held at the Manhattan headquarters of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (USA).

A second concert was held two days later in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium of the United Nations.

Both concerts included performances of significant Indian national songs by the Sri Chinmoy Singers, as well as readings of statements about India offered over the years by various spiritual and political leaders.

Sri Chinmoy’s project to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of India’s nationhood won warm praise from luminaries the world over.

“We in the Bhavan salute Poojya Sri Chinmoy ... who has consecrated himself heart and soul to the mission of transforming human hearts and fostering human harmony through divine music,” declared S. Ramakrishnan, Executive Secretary of the worldwide Bhavan.

Bhavan President C. Subramaniam said: “I am glad that Sri Chinmoy has come forward to participate in this great movement of bringing back spirituality to practicing politics.”

India's Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, said: “Such concerts, which transcend all kinds of barriers, promote peace and understanding, wherein lies true independence.”

Ramaswami Venkataraman, former President of India, said: “Sri Chinmoy is one of our outstanding servants for peace.... I am sure that his program, will further spread the message of harmony amongst nations.”

Patricia Mountbatten of Burma, daughter of the last British Viceroy of India, who oversaw the transition to Independence, said she was “delighted” by the Master’s project. “I know what a deep affection both my parents felt for India and her people....” she added.

Published in Anahata Nada, Volume 25, August-November 1996