What interesting times we find ourselves in! The 16th century English proverb – ‘In the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed man is king’- perhaps offers an apt commentary on a modern world that is now missing the two-eyed leadership and wisdom of such recently departed luminaries as the great Mikhail Gorbachev (pictured left with Raisa), Nelson Mandela, Sri Chinmoy, Mother Theresa and many notable others. Yet at a time when our world is going through much change and uncertainty, at least their legacy provides a clarion reminder to look past the surprises and distractions of global events to our own task of self-perfection. And that beneath a world in turmoil, to see a cosmic game unfolding, the various lead characters perhaps enacting an ordained part whose deeper purpose, unseen by most, is yet to bring about a better world.

“Why was I cast as the villain?’ asks an anguished Judas in a great Christ film from the 70’s; and Sri Aurobindo speaking of Napoleon’s rampage through Europe: ‘One called Napoleon a tyrant and imperial cut-throat; but I saw God armed and striding through Europe.’ Beneath the appearances of life, other realities unfolding, a divine drama playing out on the world stage, the lead actors unwitting instruments of God’s higher plan.

Sri Chinmoy’s own unwavering focus on humanity’s inner development is now so clearly highlighted, the need for each of us to make an evolutionary jump upwards, the age of the heart to seriously begin. He reminds us:

“It is the illumination of the individual mind and spirit that will precede the awakening of a new collective awareness. The change in individual attitudes will be the precursor of a change in institutional policies.”

So it is that the Sri Chinmoy Centre’s Peace Run message is now so profoundly meaningful and relevant, the perfect prescription for a humanity that must evolve past profit, self-interest and dominance, to embracing others as our own. Shifting the challenge of fostering world peace away from others, from governments and fragile treaties to each individual’s task of self-transformation – ‘Peace begins with me’.

And our peace concerts, meditation classes, Peace-Blossoms, art displays, sports events – the widening ripple of their consciousness stored up in the Mother Earth bank, in the hearts of people, as the pre-condition for the new era to begin.

‘It is you who will solve the problems of your country, and not a political leader…. When your aspiration climbs up to the highest and then climbs down to kindle the ignorant world, then only will the world become a better place. Sincere aspirants should remain far above the world of politics, in the Lap of the Supreme. There they will constantly grow into light, peace, bliss, confidence and universal harmony.’ (‘Politics and Spirituality’)

‘We always grow from within, not from without. It is from the seed under the ground that a plant grows, not vice versa. It is only through our prayers and meditations that we can grow from within and achieve lasting peace. If we can invoke peace within ourselves and then offer it to somebody else, we will see how peace expands from one to two persons, and gradually to the world at large.

(Beyond Within)

‘We have been seeing the desire for supremacy in man since the dawn of the civilization. Each human being wants to be an inch higher than the rest; each human being wants to surpass the rest. But we can surpass others only when we become one with them. Similarly, one nation can

surpass the other nations only by becoming one with them in their sufferings, in their joys and in their achievements. (The Garland on Nation Souls)

‘It is the clarification of the individual’s mind and spirit that must precede the awakening of our social institutions such as churches and governments. It is the spiritual and mental elite who can infuse the general mass with their illumining light. As we know, the policies of institutions and nations are usually embodiments of the general consciousness. These policies can be influenced considerably by enlightened individuals. It is only a matter of time until time itself will create an opening so the spiritual consciousness may permeate the individual and his society. On our part, a conscious spiritual effort has to be made so that the higher forces from above can come down and touch the very depths of our seeking hearts.’ (Yoga and the Spiritual Life)

‘Through our prayers and meditations, we silence our divided and dividing mind, and we develop our united and uniting heart. With our doubting minds, we try to possess what others have. With our loving hearts, we identify and become one with what others are. This power that loves can solve world problems. This power is full of self-giving, not with a sense of sacrifice, but with the feeling of serving all humanity as our own brothers and sisters. Through both our loving silence and our devoted service, we contribute to the betterment of the entire world.

‘My ultimate goal is for the whole world to walk together in peace and oneness. Just as a rose has many petals, all of which add to the beauty and fragrance of the rose, so too the world shall become one world-family. Together we shall live in harmony in a spirit of self-giving for the good of all. By giving joy to others and by receiving inspiration from others, each individual will contribute to the perfection of the whole.

‘The ultimate goal requires the transformation of human nature. There must be a great synthesis between the inner life and the outer life. The inner life wants love, and the outer life wants power. Now we are all exercising the love of power. But a day will come when this world of ours will be inundated with the power that loves. Only the power that loves can change the world….

My ultimate goal is for the power of love to replace the love of power within each individual. At that time, world peace ca be achieved, revealed, offered and manifested on earth.’

In a world full of outer conflicts and endless distractions, the great light, beauty and purpose of the human soul can easily become lost to us, covered over just as easily as a single cloud can hide the power of the sun. But the spiritual life keeps close to us the sense of our sacred purpose; and the understanding that we are each in the forefront of a spiritual evolution, the shift from mind to heart, the ascendency of spirit that alone can brighten our world. Our teachers have mapped out a lovely guidebook for those embarking upon the eternal journey, our exemplars and wayfarers pointing out to humanity its way back Home.