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Sri Chinmoy carries the Peace Torch on the final leg of its global odyssey. 

(Also pictured are Mokshagun Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band (left, clapping), Executive Director of the Peace Run Shambhu Neil Vineberg, (left, behind Sri Chinmoy) and Grammy-award-winning music producer Narada Michael Walden (right).

TV Clip from 1987

 "Peace in the world-oneness-home is the supreme fulfilment of humanity's birthless and deathless promise to God." - Sri Chinmoy

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run was founded by Sri Chinmoy early in 1987 to foster peace between people of all nations. Sri Chinmoy would later comment, the Peace Run was an unprecedented achievement and manifestation.

 A prayerful moment.

Sri Chinmoy: This Peace Run is something that I shall cherish until I breathe my last, and my Beloved Supreme within me will forever, forever and forever cherish this Peace Run. Individually and collectively, I am telling you, you deserve at every moment my very, very special gratitude.

Audio Message - 8th August 1987

Later that day, Sri Chinmoy repeated his message on peace, during a telephone call to his Australian disciples

From time immemorial, humanity's crying heart has been dreaming of peace. And now that peace is blossoming into reality. A new creation begins in the oneness-heart-home of man's ancient promise to God. 

AUM magazine was first published August 27th, 1965 in Brooklyn, NY. Sub-titled "A monthly journal of spiritual philosophy and Yoga" The editor's preface mentioned:

"AUM is a monthly journal devoted exclusively to the spiritual writings of Chinmoy Kumar Ghose. It will deal with the spiritual life and its problems from the point of view of Indian philosophy and yoga.

AUM is intended to help aspirants of the West in their search for a true inner life by acquainting them with the realisations of a seeker of the Supreme." (AUM Dec 1965)

AUM magazine was published, just 16 months after Sri Chinmoy arrived in the West (April 13th 1964), whilst Sri Chinmoy still worked at the Indian Consulate. The publication of AUM magazine was a significant moment in Sri Chinmoy's manifestation in the West. 

Over the next 16 years, there would be 149 editions of the magazine, finishing in February 1981. AUM magazine would often be the first place Sri Chinmoy's talks, question and answers, stories and poems were published. Later books often used AUM magazines as a source of material.

On November 10th 1965, the President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan, sent a letter praising the first issue of AUM Magazine. Sri Chinmoy remembers this as a very significant moment, writing many years later in "My Consulate Years" he wrote

"Nowadays we talk about manifestation at every second, but my dearest friend Mr. Ramamoorthy started it in September 1965. He sent a copy of the first AUM Magazine to Dr. Radhakrishnan, the President of India, and he received a very nice reply from Dr. Radhakrishnan praising the magazine." (My Consulate Years)

The first article, in the first edition was entitled "AUM"

AUM is the soundless sound. It is the vibration of the Supreme. When one hears the soundless sound within, when one identifies oneself with it, when one lives within it, one can be freed from the fetters of ignorance and realise the Supreme within and without. (continue reading)

During interview in Puerto Rico

[On that table is a display of the magazine that Sri Chinmoy is publishing. It is his way of spreading the Truth. When we finish here, you have the opportunity of looking at it and deciding if you are interested.]

What is the name of your magazine?

Sri Chinmoy: The name is AUM. You know A represents Brahma, the Creator, U represents Vishnu, the Preserver, M represent Lord Siva, the Destroyer. So what happens is that when we say AUM, we are invoking the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. I beg to be excused, but in my philosophy, I feel that there is no destruction. It is all transformation. As a matter of fact, we can’t destroy anything. First we create something, then we preserve it. Then what do we do? Transform the thing. So: Creation, Preservation and Transformation. Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the Preserver and Shiva is the Transformer. If it is destruction, who is destroying whom? God only transforms us. In our creation, we enter into ignorance and we do many things wrong. For that He has to transform us and again take us back into His bosom of infinite Light.

Sri Chinmoy, Earth’s Cry Meets Heaven’s Smile, part 3, Aum Press, Puerto Rico, 1978

In August 1979, students of Sri Chinmoy participated in a 700-mile non-stop relay walk through New York State entitled Aspiration-Plants and Gratitude-Leaves of New York. 

The inspiration for the idea was for those participating to offer their gratitude to New York State, where Sri Chinmoy, a prolific author, composer and artist and internationally recognised spiritual leader, made his home since 1964.

The 700-mile walk included many people who took it in turns to walk across the state. At various points, the participants met local dignitaries and mayors.

Anahata Nada gives this account

Students of Sri Chinmoy embarked Aug. 3 on a 700-mile nonstop relay walk through scenic and historic sites in New York as an expression of gratitude to the state which has been their spiritual teacher's home since 1964.

A series of three-member teams walked day and night along a course that meandered through the Hudson Valley up to Lake George and Ticonderoga, and then back down through the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains. The route began and ended at the Sri Chinmoy Church in Bayside, Queens.

Local officials came out to greet walkers at more than 40 towns and historic sites, and several offered official letters of appreciation.

In connection with the walk, Sri Chinmoy wrote eight spiritual walking songs, which were sung at various locations, and gave a concert Aug. 5 in Albany.

Throughout the walk, which Sri Chinmoy named "Aspiration-Plants and Gratitude-Leaves of New York," the participants attempted to maintain a meditative consciousness, and at each mile marker they paused to meditate and leave a flower of gratitude. By the time the walkers returned home 10 days later, a "necklace" of gratitude-light had been traced around the Empire State.

Sri Chinmoy also offered a concert of music for meditation in Palace Theater in Albany, NY, USA.

Song - I Am Walking

I am walking, I am walking, I am walking
Seven hundred miles,
Loving, serving.
Sri Chinmoy, I love your
Silence-blossoming soul.
New York, I love your
Sound-offering goal.

- Sri Chinmoy Songs

(more information to come)

August 10th 1975, Sri Chinmoy gives his first public violin recital, during which he plays his most sacred song, ‘The Invocation to the Supreme’, in Jamaica, NY, USA.

Recordings of Sri Chinmoy playing the violin are fairly limited. He also rarely played the violin during peace concerts. However, Sri Chinmoy often played the violin when practising songs are part of his daily routines. 

For example, in My Soul-Morning Body-Prayers there are many notes such as:

5 February 2006 - 3:43 a.m. - Penang, Malaysia

• Non-lifting day
• Sri Chinmoy the Eternal Beginner (Blue violin):
• Songs 1. Proem 2. Hasite hasite duhate amare
• (Sri Chinmoy played and then sang this song.)  

 Recordings of Sri Chinmoy playing the viola 

Double Trouble - Sri Chinmoy plays the viola at Radio Sri Chinmoy

Violin in Sri Chinmoy's Poetry

A phrase that often appears in Sri Chinmoy's writings is the concept of the heart-violin.

Finally I have silenced
My mind-drums,
And I have started playing
My heart-violin.

Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 46, Agni Press, New York, 2006

Sri Chinmoy, Two God-Amusement-Rivals: My Heart-Song-Beauty and My Life-Dance-Fragrance, Part 10, Agni Press, New York, 1996

Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation Aspiration-Prayers, part 54, Agni Press, New York, 2007

At 8.30 a.m., on August 4th 1988, Sri Chinmoy lifted a 7,040¼ lb dumbbell using only his left arm, in Jamaica, New York. He attempted the lift four times, of which three were successful.

On August 3rd, the day prior to his momentous lift, Sri Chinmoy had said:

Whatever I have done in this lifetime, whatever I am doing, whatever I shall be doing in the near or distant future, as long as I am on earth, I am only an act, an expression, of my Lord Supreme’s unconditional Compassion.

After the lift, Sri Chinmoy allowed disciples to prayerfully walk through the room where the dumbbells were kept to see the immensity of the achievement.

Celebration of the Lift

In the evening of August 4th, a celebration was held at Aspiration Ground. Unmilan and his helpers had carried the 100 lb metal plates over so people could again see the dumbbell. Not only was the 7,040¼ lb left arm dumbbell at the court, but the 7,063¾ lb dumbbell which Sri Chinmoy had lifted in January 1987 was also taken over. Unmilan Howard who was instrumental in helping to build the lifting rack and move the weights with Bipin, Rupantar and others, remarked in his diary that many were surprised to see two 7,000 lb dumbbells. But, Sri Chinmoy said they were sacred which is why there were two.

The two sets of dumbbells were placed within a sea of 7,000 candles, creating a magical setting. Sri Chinmoy said of the scene:

"These are our aspiration-flames. If you can feel 7,000 aspiration flames in the twinkling of an eye, then is there anything on earth or in Heaven that we cannot accomplish for our dear, sweet Lord Beloved Supreme? If our aspiration-flames are countless, birthless and deathless, then we shall try to please our Lord Supreme at every moment. Let us all try and we are bound to succeed. Nothing can be more valuable than our aspiration-flames. Each mounting aspiration-flame makes us feel and realise how close, how intimate we are to our Lord Supreme. We call it aspiration-flame and God calls it His complete Satisfaction on earth."

Related

• Sri Chinmoy's Miracle Lift - On January 30, 1987, Sri Chinmoy lifted a weight of 7,063¾ pounds using only his right arm.

• Unmilan Howard's account of building the 7,063¾ lb dumbbell lifted on January 30, 1987

• Article on 7,040¼ Left-Arm Lift by Dr. Vidagdha Bennett.

Photo Credit

The photos of the 7,040¼ lb dumbbell lift were captured by Ranjana Ghose.

On 12 January 1976, Sri Chinmoy appeared as a special guest on the Emmy Award winning ‘The Pat Collins Show’ on WCBS-TV NY, USA.

This is a transcript of a section of this interview

Question: What is it that you believe? What is it that you teach?

Sri Chinmoy: I believe in dedicated service to mankind, and I feel each individual being has some capacity to serve God inside human beings. 

Question: Have you found it difficult to bring eastern thought and eastern religion to a Western culture? That's very much, as I'm sure you have observed, caught up in the day to day grind, the busyness, the sometimes almost manic pursuit of materialism. 

Sri Chinmoy: In my case, the experience is totally different here. I have found the West is considerably receptive. So I found no difficulty in offering my dedicated service to the seekers in America and the West. 

Question: I read somewhere that I think at the age of twelve, you had some sort of sign that this is what you should do with your life. Can you tell me about that? 

Sri Chinmoy: At the age of twelve, I attained to my highest, my own highest consciousness. And then from that time on, I have been trying to reveal, by the infinite Grace of the Supreme, what I had achieved. 

Question: What was that experience when you were twelve? What happened to you? 

Sri Chinmoy: An experience of inseparable and eternal oneness with my inner pilot. 

Question: What do you mean when you say inner pilot? 

Sri Chinmoy: The inner pilot is He who not only guides me as an individual, but who guides the entire universe. 

Question: Do you believe in a in a God or a supreme being that is like the God that most of us who were raised in a Western religion believe in. 

Sri Chinmoy: I do believe in a God, the Supreme Being. Also, in my case, I see and feel that God can take any form He wants to. God can be an infinite Energy. God can be infinite Light. God can be anything He wants to. He is with form and at the same time He can be without any form. 

Question: Does He exist within? 

Sri Chinmoy: He exists within. He exists without. He is everywhere. He is within each individual. Again, He is without each individual. 

[Sri Chinmoy meditates]

Sri Chinmoy: This is how I meditate and my students meditate. 

Question: I noticed as you were meditating. Not them, but you. There was rapid eye movement on your part. 

Sri Chinmoy: My consciousness was flying from one plane of reality to another. 

Question: And when you go to that other plane, is there some idea that comes into your mind?

Sri Chinmoy:  It is not an idea. I actually experience light and delight and also bring down light and delight for my students. 

Question: Is it possible for all of us to achieve this? Or do you think that the people who are sitting with you here today, and the people who follow you around the world are chosen or called in some way as you were? And then it may mean that I can lead my whole life and I won't be. 

Sri Chinmoy: No, it is possible for each and every individual to attain to this state of consciousness, God-realisation or God-discovery is not the sole monopoly of an individual. So here there are quite a few students and these students will eventually reach the state of consciousness and you also. All those who are interested in the spiritual life are bound to realise this state. It is a matter of time. Today I am doing it. Tomorrow, you will be able to do it easily and the day after tomorrow, the rest can do it. 

Question: And if one does not reach this state of God-realisation, does it mean that we have failed inside? 

Sri Chinmoy: No. Nobody fails. It is only an experience. This experience you will get today and somebody will get it tomorrow. There is no such thing as failure in God's consciousness, only it is a matter of time. If I am ready today, I will achieve it. And if you are ready tomorrow, you will achieve it. So nobody will remain unrealised in God's creation. It is a matter of time. Whoever is ready, God will grant him the capacity to realise Him.

Except from original TV show. 

Features on DVD - Mridanga Spencer

Follow Your Dreams

by Sahishnu Szczesiul, Associate Race Director, Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

At 6:05 am on Thursday, June 12, 1997, five runners stepped up to the starting line on the sidewalk near Thomas Edison Vocational High School in Jamaica, to try and circumnavigate a slightly more than half-mile (.5488 miles or 883.2079 meters) course 5,649 times. The first annual Sri Chinmoy 3100 Mile Race was to begin on the same course that the 1996 event had five runners reach their goal of 2700 miles. Three of those lucky five were back to experience their own escape from the humdrum world. They had 51 days to complete their journey.

A race designed for runners with high mileage capabilities and fast recovery, the 3100 had an evening curfew from midnight to 6:00am. The rest of the time you ran your best. You had to be a master of mileage to even think of starting: 60.78 miles per day was the required average. Fifty miles a day kept you in the race. This was perhaps the longest race ever done on a closed course; certainly the longest race available nowadays. The runners slept in apartments near the racecourse, and brought everything they needed for each day. Meals were delivered at regular times each day, and a constant supply of liquids and snacks was available. When they finished at night, a car whisked them away to home for rest.

The Runners

Edward Kelley, 39, was a part-time actor and former track coach living in Long Beach, California. "I came to win this thing, I'm determined to finish, and I expect to average close to 70 miles a day," he said. Kelley had finished second in the 1996 2700 Mile Race, trailing Latvian world record holder Georgs Jermolajevs by over 100 miles. "People ask me why I do these races. I tell them because I am good at it. I love to race and compete. Obviously the distance scares people. But I have run across the country five times, had two non-finishes, plus ran 2700 miles last year. I know I can do better. The 3100 distance intrigues me and inspires me."

Georgs Jermolajevs, 54, arrived from his native Latvia only 14 hours before the race began. Having endured another rough winter in the former Soviet republic, Jermolajevs was eager to begin his journey of 10 million steps, free of the constraints and pressures of his then-destitute homeland. The physical education instructor and odd-job worker claimed normal fitness, but hoped to be in top shape after a week or two of road toughening. The previous year he had run 2700 miles in 40 days 15 hours, averaging 66.7 miles per day to dominate the race.

Istvan Sipos of Hungary arrived amid rumours that he had not run a step since his victory in the 1000 Mile Race in 1996. Istvan took the offer to come to New York, hoping to run himself into shape while keeping the others within sight. In 1993 he had set the world best for 1300 miles and 2000 km, and many recalled his easy victory in the 1994 Trans America Race, when he glided through the hottest first three weeks on record and was never challenged in the 64-day stage race (3000 miles).

Suprabha Beckjord, 41, toed the line for her 20th multi-day race of five days or more in the last 12 years. She had been brilliant in the 2700, finishing first woman and third overall in 43 days, 0 hours, 46 minutes — an average of 62 miles per day. Fearless and confident, Beckjord came with her health and fitness intact, ready to push her limits again. She was the lone woman in the race, but a relentless competitor nonetheless. Her years of experience and great ability of concentration would surely propel her to the finish line.

Aleksandar Arsic, 32, from Nis, Yugoslavia, was the youngest runner in the field — limited in experience but showing good potential. He had completed four other multi-days but had never passed 903 miles. He would need to average at least 50 miles a day to stay in the race, and hoped the other talented four would pull his young legs along to new heights.

The Start

After a powerful silent meditation by Sri Chinmoy, the runners left the line in a clockwise direction around the concrete course.

 Ed Kelley took the lead from the gun, hoping to strike hard at his competition and set the tone for the race. Georgs ran and walked to stay close, but Edward widened his lead by the end of the first day. After completing 88.9 miles on day one, Kelley was nearly 12 miles ahead of Georgs, 17 miles ahead of Suprabha and 27 miles ahead of Istvan. But competition is not the only thing that a race of 3100 miles is about. Consistency, patience, poise and good health are the hallmarks of multi-day success.

The Early Weeks

As the miles began to pile up and days passed, one could notice the slimmer look of each runner. Effort showed on their faces, but cheerfulness still remained a part of their demeanour. They seemed to have a great awareness of everything around them — they were actually enjoying this race.

On Day 7, hot, humid weather moved into the region, with temperatures rising into the 90s. Unlike the unusually cool weather of the previous year, the summer began heating up quickly. After one week, Ed Kelley led with 485.6 miles (69.2 per day), firmly ahead of Georgs (454.4 miles), Suprabha (444.5) and Istvan (405.5 miles). Even Aleksandar averaged 56 miles a day.

Kelley had once remarked that you should expect two or three major crises during a run of this magnitude. By Day 11, Georgs — having fallen 40 miles behind Edward — had some mental struggles, stopping early one evening at 43.9 miles, saying he couldn't sleep in the heat. Istvan, meanwhile, suffered a serious right quadriceps injury; walking slowly and in great pain, he was forced to withdraw from the race on Day 12, a victim of a torn quadriceps muscle.

Ed mounted a counter-attack and by the end of two weeks had totalled 943 miles. But he was not immune to problems — breathing difficulties in the stuffy, humid air saw his internal temperature rise to 102°, with spells of dizziness and weakness. On Day 15 he barely made 50 miles, yet his resolve carried him through. One day Sri Chinmoy told Edward that a champion always shows his true colours. Kelley passed his first major test.

During the hottest stretch, Suprabha ran extremely well, recording the highest daily mileage in the field on four of the six hottest days. She slipped ahead of Georgs into second place, at one point drawing within 22 miles of the lead. Meanwhile, Georgs' Achilles tendon became tender, forcing him to adapt his footwear and lacing to allow the tendon to heal while he continued.

On Day 21 Suprabha encountered her own crisis — a slightly pulled muscle in her upper thigh. She walked the remainder of the day, still totalling 56 miles, but fearful of her long-term chances. Luckily the injury proved minor, and with a good night's rest she was back running the next day. This would prove to be her only day below 60 miles for the entire race.

What Drives Them On?

What made these runners continue when they had already covered thousands of miles, with thousands more to go? To even toe the line for a race of this magnitude is an act of courage. An ultra-runner is someone who can overcome fits of boredom, fatigue, discomfort and endless hours of running — alone with their thoughts, alone with themselves for days and weeks on end.

Suprabha often said she was exploring new boundaries of her inner self as well as her physical limits, using her meditation practice as a catalyst for discovering her true inner capacity. Ed Kelley used his charitable connections with children's disability as a stimulus to cover the miles and reach new goals. Their spirit is perhaps more remarkable than their talent.

The Last Three Weeks

As the race passed the four-week mark, the finishing order became clear. Edward Kelley and Suprabha Beckjord were destined to finish within the 51-day time limit. Ed passed 2000 miles in 30 days 14 hours; Suprabha followed at 32 days 3 hours. All the runners had to endure a typical New York summer — hot and humid, with little air movement and infrequent thunderstorms.

One particular storm on July 18th was a little too close for comfort. A heavy downpour in the afternoon was followed hours later by black clouds and red-tinted thunderheads. Within minutes the sky blackened, the wind shifted, and the full force of the storm broke loose. Suprabha and Aleksandar donned raincoats and continued running; Ed and Georgs took shelter in the vans. Branches and trees came down, hailstones clattered on the vehicles, and a large tree fell near the course. Winds reached 70 miles an hour, closing the two local airports, and a mini tornado touched down less than ten miles away. Yet still the two runners circled the track. Numbers from the scoreboard were found two blocks away.

Georgs began to put up more respectable numbers in the final weeks, learning valuable lessons about survival and acceptance even as victory slipped away. He passed 2000 miles on Day 36 — nearly six days slower than Kelley's split. Aleksandar, still in the race past the four-week mark, was quietly putting pressure on Georgs from behind.

As the remaining quartet approached forty days, Edward Kelley was almost assured of victory. He reached 3000 miles in 46 days 6 hours — the first man to pass this milestone in a certified race. On Tuesday, July 29th, he became the first man to reach 3100 miles, finishing in 47 days 15 hours — 130 miles ahead of Suprabha. 

A crowd of nearly 100 people witnessed his historic triumph. Forty minutes after reaching 3100 miles, he returned to the course to record 13 more laps, passing 5000 km in 47 days 19 hours — three world firsts in a single race. He averaged 65+ miles per day for 47 days, his steely determination carrying him to the goal.

Suprabha Beckjord crossed the line on Friday, August 1st, completing 3100 miles in 50 days, 2 hours — averaging 61.9 miles per day. When she finished, friends showered her with gifts, bouquets and placards. A modest, humble and supremely talented athlete.

Georgs Jermolajevs stopped with 2717 miles — far from his own expectations, but much fitter than when he started. Aleksandar Arsic reached his personal pinnacle of 2700 miles on the final day, grateful for the experience and ready for the next challenge.

"Our philosophy is self-transcendence. Yes, there is no limit to our inner progress and outer success. But again, there comes a time when we reach a certain height, such an extraordinary height, that we feel we can live there for a good many years safely and self-givingly. Then we wait indefinitely for God's choice Hour to inspire us, to aspire in and through us to go forward, to embark on a new journey.

This 3,100 miles is an unprecedented journey in our world-peace-manifestation-dream. World-peace can come into existence only when we are inundated with patience and perseverance. Infinite patience we need in our inner life, and perseverance we need in our outer life.

"These 3,100 miles remind us of one divine and supreme reality: we can and must do everything at our command to transform the world of lethargy and unwillingness to be dynamic. Willingness to give, willingness to achieve, willingness to grow and glow should be the message of our souls.

"To Ed, Suprabha, Georgs and Aleksander, my soul's summit blessingful love, blessingful joy and blessingful pride I am offering unreservedly and unconditionally. Whenever I passed by you running, you reminded me of our souls' eternal, birthless and deathless journey and you reminded me of Eternity's choice runners."

— Sri Chinmoy, at the awards ceremony, 2 August 1997 (full speech)

Photos from Prize Ceremony

Final Results

Sri Chinmoy 3100 Mile Race — June 12 to August 1, 1997 — 5 starters
Course: .5488 mile loop (883.2079 meters), paved sidewalk, certified
Curfew: 12:05am – 6:05am (Actual start: 6:05:00am EDT)

1. Edward Kelley, 39, Long Beach, CA, USA — 3100 miles in 47 days + 15:19:56
2. Suprabha Beckjord, 41, Washington, DC, USA — 3100 miles in 50 days + 02:09:56
3. Georgs Jermolajevs, 54, Riga, Latvia — 2717 miles in 49 days + 13:15:26
4. Aleksandar Arsic, 32, Nis, Serbia — 2700 miles in 50 days + 06:49:34
5. Istvan Sipos, 37, Szeged, Hungary — 582.27 miles in 11 days + 00:59:05 (withdrew, injury)

A multi-day runner is always assured that when the race ends, he is never the same person that he was when he started. These lucky five runners had gone through ups and downs, never falling victim to doubt. As Sri Chinmoy often said: "Today's goal is tomorrow's starting point."

3100 Mile Race website

More articles about the early history of the 3100 Mile Race.