Our members
We come from all backgrounds and walks of life, brought together by our shared love of meditation, spirituality and world-service.
How we started
Sri Chinmoy's students describe the journey of self-discovery that led them to the Sri Chinmoy Centre.
Abhinabha Tangerman - Amsterdam, HollandWhat really appealed to me was the combination of a profound and soulful inner life with a dynamic and versatile outer life. More »
Adesh Widmer - Zurich, SwitzerlandMy inner urge for a higher life had once again been awakened, and I felt that 'the real thing' was still missing from my life. More »
Apaga Renner - Graz, AustriaThe initial curiosity gave way to calm certainty and the joy of silence, a silence in which I can now dive every day. More »
Upasevanam and Mahanidhi - Milan, ItalyWe wanted a real Master, a living top-class Master. I used to cry every day because I was not born in the era of the Buddha, a real Master. More »
Pradeep Hoogakker - Den Haag, HollandNot only did the meditation techniques of Sri Chinmoy provide a definite sense of happiness, but my life had finally found its meaning in the pursuit of enlightenment or God-realisation, as Sri Chinmoy calls it. More »
Sarita Earp - Halifax, CanadaI had finally found what I had been searching for all those years. And 34 years later, I still say the same thing. More »
Shashanka Karlen - Geneva, SwitzerlandI slowly realised for myself that there were two things I needed in life to become really happy: meditation and a spiritual Master. More »
Tejvan Pettinger - Oxford, UKSri Chinmoy believes sport can play a significant role in an integral spiritual life. When I was 26, I started to enter some cycling races and found I did quite well. More »
Tirtha Voelckner - Munich, GermanyIn my almost 30 years as a disciple I have had so many inner and outer, challenging and happy experiences. My life is rich, inwardly rich. More »
Yasovati Steirer - Graz, AustriaOne day I saw a poster about a meditation workshop given by a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. At the workshop I felt something completely new: bubbling joy that only kept growing. More »
| Contents of this page: | 1. Our inner life:
How we joined the Sri Chinmoy Centre • Our experiences of meditation and spirituality • Stories with our teacher, Sri Chinmoy |
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2. What keeps us busy (besides meditation): |
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| 3. Writing and poetry by Sri Chinmoy's students |
More stories
Meditation experiences by Sri Chinmoy's students.
An airport meditation experience
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Self-transcendence in meditation
Kailash Beyer Zurich, Switzerland
Where the finite connects to the Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The most beautiful and fulfilling of all possible experiences
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Meditation: Touching The Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
My wife's soul comes to visit
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Spirituality means speed
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
How I became interested in meditation
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech Republic
Experiences of meditation
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
My 5 a.m. strategic meditations
Sanchita Fleming Ottawa, Canada
Meditation Nights at the Sri Chinmoy Centre
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
The first time that I really understood that I had a soul
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandMore stories
Sri Chinmoy's students recall some of their treasured memories.
'Everyone is feeling nothing but love'
Suren Leosson Reykjavik, Iceland
Listen to the inner voice
Vidura Groulx Montreal, Canada
Our Guru becomes the perfect disciple
Devashishu Torpy London, United Kingdom
A barrage of Candy Bullets
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The day I recieved my spiritual name
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sri Chinmoy's inner guidance
Kailash Beyer Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting Sri Chinmoy for the first time
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Akuti: a pioneer-jewel in our Centre
Akuti Eisamann Connecticut, United States
The day I saw my Guru's Third Eye
Vidura Groulx Montreal, Canada
My Life with Sri Chinmoy: a book
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United Kingdom
How I learned from Sri Chinmoy
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
My first experience with Sri Chinmoy
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United States
No prior experience needed
Samalya Schafer Berlin, GermanyBooks by members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre
A Twenty-First Century seeker
by Pradhan Balter
222 Meditation Techniques
by Sri Chinmoy
Sport and Meditation
by Sri Chinmoy
The Wings of Joy
by Sri Chinmoy
Running in rhythm with the heart
by Jayasalini Abramovskikh
Miracle-Suns from the Heart
True stories from a spiritual Master, his students and dear friendsMusic
At Sri Chinmoy's request and encouragement, there are many musicians within the Centre who make arrangements of his meditative songs and perform them free of charge to the public. Here is a small selection of groups:
Some of our musical members
Ghantika Hammerl
Salzburg, Austria
Ghantika and her whole family became students of Sri Chinmoy. Ghantika plays the saxophone in Bartika's Jazz Group, an all-female group that performs Sri Chinmoy‘s melodies in a combination of jazz, rock and pop styles.
- Audio »
Hridananda Andres Ramon
Rekjavik, Iceland
Originally from Colombia, Hridananda came to Iceland to study and now calls it home. A versatile musician and composer, he assists with arranging Sri Chinmoy's melodies to be performed by the 75-member Gandharva Loka Orchestra at concerts around the world.
- Stories »
- Audio »
Samalya Schafer
Berlin, Germany
Samalya became a student of Sri Chinmoy when he was 19. A talented athlete, he holds a current Marathon PB of 2.28h
- Stories »
- Audio »
- Gallery »
More stories
Experiences of sport and self-transcendence.
How meditation helped me swim the English Channel
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech Republic
10-Day Race: Staring into the Infinite
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
Winning the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Vajin Armstrong Auckland, New Zealand
Failures are the pillars of success
Anugata Bach New York, United States
How Sri Chinmoy appreciated enthusiasm
Prachar Stegemann Canberra, Australia
All I needed was the Supreme, and I would always win
Pragati Pascale New York, United StatesA few of our athletic members
Ashrita Furman
New York, United States
Ashrita became a student of Sri Chinmoy in 1970. Using the practise of meditation, he embarked on a 40-year journey of setting Guinness world records, and now holds more world records than any other person.
- Stories »
- Video »
Samunnati Lehonkova
Ternopil, Ukraine
Our best female marathon runner with a PB of 2:28, Samunnati competed in the 2016 Olympics for her native Ukraine
Vajin Armstrong
Auckland, New Zealand
Vajin is one of New Zealand's top distance runners, winning the prestigious Kepler Challenge in 2011 and the Swiss Alpine Marathon in 2016
Working in a spiritual enterprise
Many of Sri Chinmoy's students work in restaurants and stores dedicated to offering Sri Chinmoy's meditative consciousness to the public. Pranlobha Kalajian who works in the Silence-Heart-Nest restaurant in Seattle, describes what her working day is like.
Members who work in enterprises
Padmasini Guillet
Montpellier, France
Padmasini lives in the south of France, where she runs a delightful cafe called Tripti Kulai. She is also the official translator of Sri Chinmoy's writings and travels all over the world to give talks on meditation.
- Gallery »
Shankara Smith
London, United Kingdom
Shankara, along with her sister Dipika, manages the Run and Become athletic stores in the UK, which were founded by her father Ongkar with Sri Chinmoy's inspiration. She also leads the international women's music group Temple-Song-Hearts, which performs concerts of Sri Chinmoy's music all over the world.
- Stories »
- Audio »
- Gallery »
Smarana Puntigam
Vienna, Austria
As well as managing a gift store on Vienna's busiest street, Smarana has also completed ultrarunning's toughest challenge - the 3100 Mile Race - seven times.
- Stories »
Peace-runners
Suhasini Septiarini
Ubud, Indonesia
Suhasini has helped to organise many memorable Peace Run ceremonies in Bali, as well as travelling to many countries with the international team.
Sweta Pradhan
Kathmandu, Nepal
An enthusiastic runner, Sweta helps to organise the Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run in her native Nepal, and has been part of the international team for the North American leg on three occasions.
- Stories »
- Video »
- Gallery »
Nikolaus Drekonja
San Diego, United States
Nikolaus spends his time between the United States and Austria, where he has family in both countries. He loves to travel with our international Peace Run team as they visit schools and communities around the world.
Creativity
Sri Chinmoy encouraged us to use meditation to enhance our capacities in many fields - including writing, poetry, art and photography. Here is a selection of musings from our members...
The Random Dog
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
My love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United Kingdom
The Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
Sri Chinmoy's biography, written by one of the most famous Bengali authors
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
A Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Bhutan, A Country Less Travelled...
Ambarish Keenan Dublin, IrelandArt and Photography
Apaguha Vesely
Prague, Czech Republic
Apaguha travels all over the world as part of the Peace Run international team. An immensely talented photographer, he likes to offer public slideshows from his travels, combining stories with pictures of nature and people.
- Gallery »
Pranlobha Kalagian
Seattle, United States
Pranlobha is a very keen photographer, and has used that talent to great effect on her travels throughout the world with the Peace Run.
- Stories »
- Gallery »
Papaha Gosline
San Diego, United States
Papaha owns a gallery and art studio that focuses on showing spiritual contemporary art and producing commercial design. Inspired by the Sri Chinmoy's example, he lives a very athletic lifestyle teaching tennis part time, along with enjoying many other sports activities in sunny San Diego.
- Gallery »
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