Sri Chinmoy's Aspiration Ground

New York is home to Sri Chinmoy's home and spiritual headquarters where he trained others in the contemplative life. He named it Aspiration Ground and it is alive and well; it is a place to get away from the disturbance of the city noise and dive within. This was Paramacharya's second visit to this oasis in the middle of a Queens town, a park of peace that has kept this region balanced for decades. On October 11 this Bengali Guru's devotees will mark ten years since his Great Departure. As you will recall, Sri Chinmoy was among the most prominent Indian masters to bring meditation and true sadhana to the West. He was our Hindu of the Year in 1997 and he presented Gurudeva with the U Thant Peace Award at the United Nations in 2000. So this visit of the shishyas of two illumined masters was sweet and profound.

Our host for the day is New York City resident Swami Parameshananda of the Bharat Sevashram Sanga. His guru is Swami Pranavanandaji and he serves at the United Nations. Swamiji\

s days are filled with complex questions of harmony between nations and religious solidarity. His position as head of religious NGOs at the United Nations gives him unusual clout and influence on how faiths get along in the world. '

Our other host is Kusumita Pedersen. She has the following titles from her work: Professor Emerita of ReligiousStudies, St. Francis College; Co-Chair, The Interfaith Center of New York; Vice Chair, Parliament of the World\

s Religions; Vice President, Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations. We met Kusumita first in 1988 when she was instrumental in arranging for Gurudeva and Paramacharya to participate in the Global Forum for Human Survival in Oxford, England. '

We drive to Sri Chinmoy\

s Aspiration Ground, the second home of Kusumita. She served her guru for decades and continues to serve the mission today, most prominently through her articulate writings. '

This is Ranjini, who lovingly and creatively looks after Aspiration Ground. She greeted us at the gate.

Walking through the entrance, the first thing we encounter is a shrine for Sri Chinmoy. He was affectionately called Guru.

Guru\

s presence is pervasive.'

Even though we were running late and changed the meeting day at the last minute due to the threat of bad weather, a sincere group of devotees waits in silence for Swami\

s arrival. It is right before this point that one realizes they are in another world. The aura of yogis and real sadhana takes over your being. This is not an ordinary group Guru has trained them well.'

This is Sri Chinmoy\

s samadhi and the focal point of the continuing meditations and sadhanas, which have clearly not diminished with his passing. '

Sri Chinmoy had his mahasamadhi in New York City and is laid right here on his old tennis court where he spent hours training. Sri Chinmoy was a fitness expert and used external forms of training to sharpen the inner capacities and awaken higher consciousness.

The grounds are built around the tennis court, filling the area with flowers and photos of Guru

Kusumita\

s opening statement explains who Paramacharya is and about his visit today.'

Devotional songs were the cornerstone of Guru\

s teachings. All had to learn to sing and express themselves through song and music, even those who could not ccarry a tune.'

The choir is so well trained and must practice daily. The melodious sounds resonate with the traveling monks still.

They sing Sri Chinmoy\

s mystical poems, each taking turns at a verse. '

It\

s such a delightful form of welcoming, and a teaching at the same time. '

We are greeted by our old friends who awarded the Torch Bearer Award to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami at Kauai Aadheenam last year. That post can be found here: http:\/\/www.himalayanacademy.com\/blog\/taka\/2017\/04\/02\/sri-chinmoy-torch-bearer-award\/

We pause for a photo of the singers. The visitors are holding the Peace Run Torch.

Ranjani asks Paramacharya to take a photo at the samadhi shrine.

Afterwards we are taken into the sacred space where Sri Chinmoy\

s lifetime of art is kept, an amazing body of work. Here too we saw how he had met with virtually every person of fame on the planet, an interesting and effective strategy for spreading light and love in the world. And we were treated to ginger tea and Indian goodies. All the while talking about meditation. '

Paramacharya speaks to the group about the greatness of the guru. They know of what he speaks, but their appreciation of the message is obvious.

A gift is offered to Swami.

It is a magnificent conch that is a rare find indeed, intricately carved with six form of Ganapati.

Paramacharya admires it and tells themm it will find a place in our Kauai temple.

He shows it to those who have not seen it.

Thank you for this stunning conch and thank you for letting us come to your holy grounds.

Thank you, Sri Chinmoy, for bringing the deepest teachings of the deepest Self to a world in need of that knowledge.

Thank you, Ganesha

If ever you are in Jamaica, Queens, New York, the Aspiration Ground awaits!

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