The conversation I had yesterday with Sergey has continued to touch and inspire me in ways that I had not predicted. Some others have mentioned to me as well that Sergey’s heart felt clarity and genuine appreciation for his little running family has inspired them as well. I am not surprised.
We know of course that the runners are exceptional athletes but Sergey was able to simply and honestly bring forward and to show just how good they are as people as well. That each runners embodies unique and beautiful qualities that when observed with a oneness spirit can then help to bring forward each runners own divine aspects.
Illustrating most clearly what happens when we are somehow able to discard the superficiality of most of our day to day lives. When we endeavor to conquer our own impossible task, as they all are doing, then what is the very best within us then has to come forward as well. Of course the darker parts of our nature are also exposed, but in so doing they are cast into the light and transformed. Within this great adventure is where perhaps the core of self transcendence finds its base and then is able to rise above and beyond.
I mention to Vasu today that Sergey had said many nice things about his heart. That he made everyone feel like they were part of a family. “Its true, we are a family. We do the same things as people do in families. This is because we are children of the Supreme. We are his golden children. He is our father.”
“Every runner is unique and we each bring here our qualities. These qualities are for everybody and they can share them with everyone else.”
I ask Vasu if he feels that he is being helped by these qualities of others. “Maybe much more inwardly.”
“Yesterday for example Yuri reminded me about being more in the heart.” They also talked about the significance of the Daily Prayer. The ones which Sri Chinmoy wrote on each day of the race back in 2006 and 2007. Yuri suggested to Vasu that he give more significance to them each and every day.
“This helped me so much. I ran and told that day’s prayer to another runner and we repeated it together. It gave me energy, it gave me peace, and it gave me more connection. I felt I could move easier after reciting the prayer. It helped me so so much.”
Vasu feels that if Sri Chinmoy wrote the prayer on that day then it would continue to inspire the runners on that same day each year.
“Every day good. Every day is special. Some days you may have less laps but every day is still unique. We need to take each day as it comes and be grateful for this day. Because each day gives us a new opportunity. As Sri Chinmoy said a rainbow opportunity.”
The world’s
Longest-distance-runner
Has at once won
God’s Compassion-Eye
And
God’s Protection-Heart.
Sri Chinmoy
July 15th, 2006
The Board at the start of Day 29
clock
Suhasini
A stomach bug seems to have gathered up a few more people. Yolanda is not feeling well this morning and did not have a good day yesterday
Yuri
Sergey
Boys
Nidhruvi not feeling well
Kaneenika and Harita
Smarana had slightly better day yesterday
Who is not well is the main conversation
Getting taped
Nirbhasa also had a better day yesterday
Rupantar
Nearly time
Start Day 29
A pleasant bright day
Vasu did the most miles yesterday with 63 and 116 laps
He now has 1870 miles a distance that would take him from his home in St Petersburg to Madrid in Spain
He was so happy to receive a fresh coconut
Good feet and great heart
The prayer he memorized yesterday
A truly remarkable individual
Flower
Nirbhasa did 58 miles 106 laps
He now has 1789 miles
Telling jokes with Smarana
Getting some shoe help from Alan
Looking much better
A bit of green
Kaneenika had a great day with 62 miles 114 laps
She now has 1760 miles
About to take her break
Running very well
“Let me know if this is too close.”
Harita did 59 miles 109 laps
Shoes
Working on shoes
coming off a break
She now has 1676 miles
Happiness
Smarana did 34 miles 63 laps
He now has 1673 miles
feet
telling jokes
Flower
Yolanda did 53 miles 97 laps
She now has 1669 miles
She is getting lots of help
She is taking antibiotics and more rest
A bit of green
Sergey did 52 miles 95 laps
He now has 1564 miles
Flower
Andrey did 55 miles 102 laps
He now has 1556 miles
Flower
Nidhruvi did 52 miles 95 laps
Feet
She now has 1494 miles
flower
Ananda-Lahari did 41 miles 75 laps
He is bothered by the bug as well
Alan updates the board
Mario helping with the medical situation
Swamiji
Paramita providing some nursing help
Joke of the day
Edy doing his weekend laps
Bipin and Rupantar talking it over. Rupantar calls it, “A bump in the road.”
Free puppies
“I hope she doesn’t mean us.”
“These seats in the lounges of most of these discount airlines are just terrible.”
Paree reads the Daily Prayer
Click to Play:
Paree has sung with the Enthusiasm Awakeners since their very beginning. I am curious what the answer is to finding Enthusiasm. “I think you actually have to find love for whatever it is that you are doing. Then enthusiasm seems to be a natural by product of love.”
“If you culture that love if you deepen that love and nurture that love then enthusiasm will happen automatically.”
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Opportunity is a rainbow in our heart-sky.
Sri Chinmoy, Opportunity, Jharna-Kala Card Co., 1998
“Enthusiasm as a by-product of love” – that’s nifty!..
<3 <3 <3
I just love the happiness rocks. “Happiness rocks”, I guess! Thank you for the incredible interviews. We are all learning so much, as the race progresses. What a boon for our summer days and nights. Gratitude.