Our members
We come from all backgrounds and walks of life, brought together by our shared love of meditation, spirituality and world-service.
How we started
Sri Chinmoy's students describe the journey of self-discovery that led them to the Sri Chinmoy Centre.
Abhinabha Tangerman - Amsterdam, HollandWhat really appealed to me was the combination of a profound and soulful inner life with a dynamic and versatile outer life. More »
Adesh Widmer - Zurich, SwitzerlandMy inner urge for a higher life had once again been awakened, and I felt that 'the real thing' was still missing from my life. More »
Apaga Renner - Graz, AustriaThe initial curiosity gave way to calm certainty and the joy of silence, a silence in which I can now dive every day. More »
Upasevanam and Mahanidhi - Milan, ItalyWe wanted a real Master, a living top-class Master. I used to cry every day because I was not born in the era of the Buddha, a real Master. More »
Pradeep Hoogakker - Den Haag, HollandNot only did the meditation techniques of Sri Chinmoy provide a definite sense of happiness, but my life had finally found its meaning in the pursuit of enlightenment or God-realisation, as Sri Chinmoy calls it. More »
Sarita Earp - Halifax, CanadaI had finally found what I had been searching for all those years. And 34 years later, I still say the same thing. More »
Shashanka Karlen - Geneva, SwitzerlandI slowly realised for myself that there were two things I needed in life to become really happy: meditation and a spiritual Master. More »
Tejvan Pettinger - Oxford, UKSri Chinmoy believes sport can play a significant role in an integral spiritual life. When I was 26, I started to enter some cycling races and found I did quite well. More »
Tirtha Voelckner - Munich, GermanyIn my almost 30 years as a disciple I have had so many inner and outer, challenging and happy experiences. My life is rich, inwardly rich. More »
Yasovati Steirer - Graz, AustriaOne day I saw a poster about a meditation workshop given by a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. At the workshop I felt something completely new: bubbling joy that only kept growing. More »
| Contents of this page: | 1. Our inner life:
How we joined the Sri Chinmoy Centre • Our experiences of meditation and spirituality • Stories with our teacher, Sri Chinmoy |
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2. What keeps us busy (besides meditation): |
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| 3. Writing and poetry by Sri Chinmoy's students |
More stories
Meditation experiences by Sri Chinmoy's students.
How I became interested in meditation
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech Republic
Experiences of meditation
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
Seeing the God inside my son
Utsahi St-Armand Ottawa, Canada
Meditation: Touching The Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The most beautiful and fulfilling of all possible experiences
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
An airport meditation experience
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
A Divine Phone Call
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Reflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Spirituality means speed
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
My 5 a.m. strategic meditations
Sanchita Fleming Ottawa, Canada
An intense, concentrated Fire
Toshala Elliott 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.
A barrage of Candy Bullets
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The relationship between Guru and disciple
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, Bulgaria
President Gorbachev: a special soul brought down for a special reason
Mridanga Spencer Ipswich, United Kingdom
A spiritual name is the name of our soul, and what we can become
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United States
My life with Sri Chinmoy
Namrata Moses New York, United States
Growing up on Sri Chinmoy's path
Aruna Pohland Augsburg, Germany
Now you are in the boat
Kaushalya Casey Toronto, Canada
My Life with Sri Chinmoy: a book
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United Kingdom
Sri Chinmoy meets an old friend
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
The Impact of a Yogi on My Life
Agni Casanova San Juan, Puerto Rico
Meditation functions with Sri Chinmoy
Kokila Chamberlain Bristol, United Kingdom
A demonstration of the Master’s occult powers
Arpan De Angelo New York, United States
“Where there is heart, always there is a way.”
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Music
At Sri Chinmoy's request and encouragement, there are many musicians within the Centre who make arrangements of his meditative songs and perform them free of charge to the public. Here is a small selection of groups:
Some of our musical members
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 »
Toshala Elliott
Auckland, New Zealand
A singer and accomplished piano accordionist, Toshala is also a member of the international women's group Shindhu.
- Stories »
- Audio »
Apaga Renner
Graz, Austria
Apaga and her husband Dipavajan manage the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Graz. Apaga regularly offers meditation classes in her home town, and sings with Paree's International Group in concerts all over the world.
- Stories »
- Audio »
More stories
Experiences of sport and self-transcendence.
Running a Six-Day Race
Ratuja Zub Minsk, Belarus
How Sri Chinmoy appreciated enthusiasm
Prachar Stegemann Canberra, Australia
Failures are the pillars of success
Anugata Bach New York, United States
The Ever-Transcending Goal
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
Breaking the world record for the longest game of hopscotch
Pipasa Glass & Jamini Young Seattle, United States
Winning the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Vajin Armstrong Auckland, New ZealandA few of our athletic members
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
Vajra Henderson
New York, United States
Vajra has been a student of Sri Chinmoy for over 50 years; his medical and massage experience is invaluable in the many ultra-distance races that we organise.
- Stories »
- Video »
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 »
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 »
Aruna Pohland
Augsburg, Germany
Aruna is the proprietor of the Cosmos-Heart, a charming little café in the centre of Augsburg which serves coffee and cakes in a peaceful setting.
- Stories »
- Gallery »
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.
Bayarkhuu Batbayar
Ulan Bataar, Mongolia
Bayarkhuu has travelled the world as part of the international Peace Run team, taking part in runs in Scandinavia, Australia, Japan and Korea
- Gallery »
Harita Davies
New York, United States
Harita is the US co-ordinator for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run. She is also a formidable runner, having run the world's longest race - the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile race - three times.
Creativity
Sri Chinmoy encouraged us to use meditation to enhance our capacities in many fields - including writing, poetry, art and photography. Here is a selection of musings from our members...
Bhutan, A Country Less Travelled...
Ambarish Keenan Dublin, Ireland
Sri Chinmoy's biography, written by one of the most famous Bengali authors
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
The Random Dog
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
The Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
My love of spiritual poetry
Manatita Hutchinson London, United Kingdom
A Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New ZealandArt and Photography
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 »
Ashish Zubaty
Zlin, Czech Republic
Ashish's specialities are cooking and photography. He also is an enthusiastic participant in the World Harmony Run, having joined the international team on runs through Australia, the USA and Ireland.
- Gallery »
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 »
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