New York (NY). The 11th state to join the Union in 1788

New York factoids: The capital of New York is Albany; its largest city is New York City, encompassing its five boroughs. Known as the Empire State, today’s population is approximately 20 million (averaging around 425 people per square mile). New York’s state tree is the ‘Sugar Maple’; its state flower is the ‘Rose’; its state bird the ‘Eastern Bluebird’; and its state fruit is the ‘Apple’. New York’s State Motto is: “Excelsior” (Ever upward).

My New York (excerpted)

“I admire New York. My eyes are enamoured of her soul’s dynamic beauty. My New York is always astir and bustling. Also, is she marching in gigantic strides. Success emerges before her very eyes. The dawn breaks each day feeling New York’s heart consumed with new zeal. She hates to be absorbed in a fog of fruitless brooding and empty inactivity. Moreover, she wants to be free, eternally free. Never within her four corners will she tolerate the air of captivity. If it is part of her nature to express herself boldly, I cannot blame her. To me, first of all she deserves this acme of self-confidence. And secondly, God wants New York to be what she is.”

— Sri Chinmoy,

“My New York”, America in Her Depths (published 1973)

Activities of Sri Chinmoy in New York  (see page for activities in each of the 50 states)

Note: there are extensive activities in New York since it was Sri Chinmoy’s home of residence from 1964 until his passing in 2007.

For now this page is super simplified and incomplete. I will come back to it to add specific details later…

University Lectures — 1968-1999:

  • Sri Chinmoy delivered over 100 lectures at Universities in New York.
    • As there are too many University Lectures in NY state to list here, the list is presented in this document, chronologically, as a 3-page PDF. All of Sri Chinmoy’s world-wide university lectures, listed alphabetically by country and then by University, is here.
    • It is important to note that many hundreds of other talks and lectures were given by Sri Chinmoy in New York — such as at the United Nations as well as at other locations other than Universities.
    • Many of these University lectures in NY were part of a series, for example:
      • In 1972, Sri Chinmoy toured all 50-states for a University Lecture Series
      • In 1974, Sri Chinmoy toured all fifty states for a University Lecture tour
      • During the first twenty days of July 1977, Sri Chinmoy delivered one hundred short talks —a few of which were at Universities. This series was published as “Everest-Aspiration” (Part 1  //  Part 2 //  Part 3  //  Part 4  ). While not all talks were given at Universities, a majority of the 100 talks were written and/or delivered in New York State.
      • Between February and April of 1978, Sri Chinmoy offered an inspiring concert to the soul of every university in New York State. On each occasion Sri Chinmoy also gave an illumining talk. This is these were published in two volumes entitled Wisdom-Waves in New York (Part 1  //  Part 2).
      • In 1982, Sri Chinmoy launched a “50 Oneness-State-Songs” lecture tour*
The poster for the first Carnegie Hall concert (April 7, 1982)
Sri Chinmoy plays the piano at Carnegie Hall, New York – December 13, 1987

Peace Concerts — 1984-2007:

  • Sri Chinmoy offered more than 275 Peace Concerts in the state of New York —these were always free of charge to the public.
    • The venues ranged from very elite concert halls to very humble halls and this list only includes “Peace Concerts” which officially began in 1984.
      • Sri Chinmoy offered many other Concerts in New York prior to 1984 (also always offered free of charge to the public) — however those concerts prior to 1984 may have had a slightly different programme/format, and may have included a lecture or included Sri Chinmoy’s students performing as well as himself.
    • As there are too many Peace Concerts in NY state to list here, the list is presented in this document, chronologically, as a 9-page PDF. All of Sri Chinmoy’s world-wide list of Peace Concerts is here: https://srichinmoy-reflections.com/peace-concerts (you can do a word search on the page for New York)
    • Many of these Peace Concerts in NY were part of a series, for example:
      • In 1993, Sri Chinmoy dedicates 39 concerts in honour of Swami Vivekananda.

Meditations — 1964-2007:

  • To say the number of meditations offered in New York is countless is not an overstatement. For decades, Sri Chinmoy held public meditations, often at least twice weekly. He also led twice-weekly afternoon meditations at the United Nations. Additionally, Sri Chinmoy meditated multiple, multiple times daily with his students and on his own.

United Nations — 1970-2007:

Artistic endeavors — 1974-2007:

  • Many exhibitions of Sri Chinmoy’s Jharna-Kala artwork has been displayed throughout New York including in Soho and at Grand Central Station.
  • Much of Sri Chinmoy’s Jharna-Kala artwork was created in New York. See here for information on significant landmark activities: https://www.srichinmoy-reflections.com/jharna-kala-celebrations

Athletic endeavors — 1970s-2007:

  • Sri Chinmoy participated in numerous sports. In New York specifically, a few of the standout athletic events are:
    • played tennis extensively at the nearby local high school and Aspiration-Grounds
    • participated in the annual 24-hour Pepsi Bicycle Marathon in New York City’s Central Park three years in a row (1977, 1978, 1980)
    • twice completed the 47-Mile Race (1979 and 1980)
    • twice participated in the 12-hour walk (1980 and 1982)
    • participated in track meets
    • completed many weightlifting feats

1987-current, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run visits New York regularly on its cross-country trek and engages with its welcoming citizens (see example of photos of a previous visit)

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Listen to the melody Sri Chinmoy set for name ‘New York‘ as part of the 50 Oneness-State-Songs:

(read more about these on the 50 Oneness-State-Songs page)

Fifty oneness-state-songs,
 
Our Lord’s Compassion-Gongs.
 
Within, without, a seeker’s sleepless cry
 
To reveal America’s perfection-sky.

—Sri Chinmoy
(see https://www.srichinmoysongs.com/fifty-oneness-state-songs)

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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