Idaho (ID). The 43rd state to join the Union in 1890

The torch —along with runners— enter Idaho. Normally lit with a flame, they take precautions when it is the dry season. Below, in a different year, local Sandpoint athletes hold the torch aloft.

Idaho factoids: The capital of Idaho is Boise — which is also its largest city. Today’s population in Idaho is approximately 2 million (averaging around 20 people per square mile). Idaho’s state tree is the ‘Western White Pine’; its state flower is the ‘Syringa’; its state bird the ‘Mountain Bluebird’; and its state fruit is the ‘Huckleberry’. Idaho’s State Motto is: “Esto Perpetua” (Let it be perpetual).

Activities of Sri Chinmoy in Idaho (see page for activities in other states)

  • April 22, 1974 (7:30 p.m., multiple lectures in multiple states on this day). Sri Chinmoy delivers a lecture entitled “The Existence of God” at the North Idaho Junior College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
    • (listen to the recording of the talk)
      • Among the three published Q&A from this talk, is a simple reminder of the essential part of meditating in the morning (published in Fifty Freedom-Boats to One Golden Shore, Part 4):
        Question: How can we achieve peace in our outer life?Sri Chinmoy: We can achieve peace in our outer life provided we do the first thing first. Early in the morning, before we enter into the hustle and bustle of life, if we meditate for ten or fifteen minutes, then peace will enter into us. If we bring forward our divine qualities of aspiration, dedication, love, devotion and surrender to the Will of God, they are bound to bring down peace from Above. These qualities are like divine friends, eternal friends within us; they are more than eager to be of service. If we invoke them early in the morning before we leave our house, then we will go outside with peace. But if we do not feel the conscious need for peace and do not invoke it, why should peace come to us? Unless and until we invoke it, peace will remain in its own world.

        The power of peace is similar to the power of money. If we put money in our pocket early in the morning, we can buy things all day. Similarly, if we meditate early in the morning for peace, and peace descends, then when we enter into the mad, insane world, we are surcharged, inundated with peace which we can utilise all day. Peace itself is adamantine power. If we are powerful and strong, then the restlessness of the world cannot torture us. But if we are weak and lack inner peace, naturally we will be overwhelmed by the restlessness and undivine qualities of the world.

  • June 6, 1980, an “Official Letter” is received from Governor John V. Evans —welcoming the Sri Chinmoy Centre’s U.S.A. Bicycle Relay and commending Sri Chinmoy for ‘your efforts to make our society a better place in which to live’
  • 1987-current, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run passes through Idaho bi-annually on its cross-country trek and engages with its welcoming citizens (see example of photos of its previous visit)

 

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Listen to the melody Sri Chinmoy set for name ‘Idaho’

(read more about these on the 50-state songs page)

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Among the many songs Sri Chinmoy composed on America, his adopted country, this one is perhaps the most powerful:

America, America, America!
Great you are, good you are,
Brave you are, kind you are.
O my America, America.
Your Heaven-freedom is earth’s aspiration-choice.
With you, in you, is God-Hour’s Victory-Voice.

—Sri Chinmoy
(see https://www.srichinmoysongs.com/america-great-you-are-good-you-are)

The song “America! Great You Are, Good You Are” recording, below, as performed by the Sri Chinmoy Choir:

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