It all takes place in less than an hour. The singing, clapping, and offering of treats to the runners.
Who most likely have slept little, are aching and weary beyond belief, and are staring into the mouth of a mileage chasm that seems at times impossible to fill or even satisfy.
The girls all in matching colored t shirts arrive with a spirit and energy that is precisely the balm and remedy for waking up to 18 hours of running. Not on a soft forest trail mind you, but on the hardest unforgiving surface that a city can slap down, solely for pedestrians to make their way across the neighborhood
The weather at this time of year in New York is also generally hot, humid, and miserable. The course of the 3100 simply put is a place where you are exposed to some of the worst aspects of nature. An unyielding loop where the physical world is all one long hard battle.
But then quite to the contrary. In an imponderable irony. It is also where as well the divine brightness of the inner life beams more profoundly clear than any other place perhaps on earth.
The great tick tock of time now says that this is day 39. The runners have been struggling and soaring and everything in between for well over a month.
For Yuri who is in the lead and still has 570 more miles more to go in order to reach 3100. He could be here for 10 days more. For those not as swift or as fortunate there could be a maximum of 14 more days out on the course.
So the vibrant joyous presence of the girls singing group every morning at the course has an effect that brightens the sober reality they face.
A cheerful reminder of just why they have struggled so long and hard. But of course as well to inspire and enable them all to see the source of their own inspiration.
That what they do here and what they accomplish is not about time and distance. Instead it is about extending themselves towards a goal that is unsaleable, unknowable, and yet but must be reached by all of us someday.
Parvati tells me that the little brick alcove where her group sings each morning that Sri Chinmoy over 2 years of the race must have come there at least 100 times.
“He would first drive around the course encouraging the runners then he would stop at this very spot, and teach us a brand new song.”
“We had the privilege of waiting here and watching in anticipation for Sri Chinmoy’s little red car to come along. Then he would teach us a new song. Then the next day it would happen again.”
“In 2007 it happened 65 times. It was pretty amazing.”
I suggest to Parvati that the spot still seems to have a special energy to it. She says, “I think it is the runners that keep the message that Sri Chinmoy wanted us as his disciples to carry. They, more than anybody else I have ever seen carry that.”
“So it is a real privilege just to be here and see them and witness what true aspiration is. They also give us a reminder, that Sri Chinmoy tried to bring to us every single day. That we can do more. That we shouldn’t say no so often.”
“So being here at this time of year reminds me of that. I shouldn’t say that I can’t.”
Indomitable strength blossoms
In the heart
Of enthusiasm.
The board
The quiet time
Kaneenika arrives
Getting ready
Vajra leaves
The van comes
In comes Atmavir
Lots of pictures being taken
The girls
Start Day 39
First steps
All in all it is a pleasant and beautiful morning
Yuri
Yuri had a good day with 66 miles
He now has 2531 miles
He is 26 miles ahead of Ashprihanal
Brightness
Ashprihanal meanwhile put in a 70 mile day
He now has 2505 miles
In honor of the anniversary of Enthusiasm Awakeners he and Vasu perform a play…..involving Shiva
Champ getting a workout
He is looking more like the old Ashprihanal. He says he wants to finish the race quickly.
Atmavir did 48 miles
He now has 2501 miles. That is 55 more miles than last year
Taking salt tablets for the heat
He is doing well
Close
Vasu did 66 miles. His best in 17 days
He now has 2422 miles
Getting ready to do his play with Ashprihanal and Vishakretu
The fence
Kodanda playing his flute
“I don’t know about you but I see breakfast, lunch, annnnnnnnd dinner coming up soon just over there by those girls singing.”
Kaneenika
Kaneenika did 53 miles
She now has 2344 miles
Over the next 14 days she must average 54 miles
Humor poster made by Akbota
Surasa
Surasa did 49 miles
She now has 2283 miles
She now needs to average 58 miles a day
Service road
Baladev did 51 miles
He now has 2120 miles
Feet
He is content
Sopan did 44 miles. He now has 2087 miles
Coming into camp
Stutisheel did 29 miles
He now has 2068 miles
Feet
Service road
Alakananda
Full and ripe
Ananda-Lahari did 41 miles
He now has 1953 miles
The march of trees
Ananda-Lahari reads the Daily Poem
Click to Play:
“What Sri Chinmoy has done with the Enthusiasm Awakeners. Not just for the runners and not just for the Enthusiasm Awakeners. Those of us lucky enough to be included. But also the world consciousness I dare say.”
“He established a happiness, joyful, oneness, rhythm. Anjali says, “We can tap into that rhythm whenever we want by singing those songs, ore even thinking about those songs.”
“It is a rhythm that can be a life saver and transform the world”
Happiness st.
14 more days
Kaneenika
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm of the mind has a very short breath,
but enthusiasm in the heart lasts long, very, very long.
Enthusiasm is success and progress at every moment.
I am incredibly fortunate and happy to join the singing every day with the Enthusiam Awakeners. Today with the amazing energy of their Anniversary I could really see and feel how it was helping the runners go round the course with more energy, speed and momentum than usual. Not to mention the huge joy factor! The runners, singers and everyone were sooo happy today. Thank you a million times Parvati….and Guru Si Chinmoy for creating this tremendous force for good.
Dear Parvati and all you inspiring Enthusiasm Awakeners (and guests) what an incredible Anniversary celebration you created. I am sure our runners will have a fast and happy day. Your enthusiasm will help their legs feel lighter. Much, much gratitude
Their songs have become a daily part here on your blog, Utpal. So nice they are getting today a little more attention on their anniversary day. On a personal note, I liked that in previous years the lyrics were available, written on a simple piece of paper.
Enthusiasm Awakeners they really all are!! 🙂
Their happiness really spreads!! 🙂
Thank you!!! You give so much of yourselves and this is reflected in the runners´ putting up skits and plays for you or mentioning in different interviews how much the singing helps them.
Wow! This is a really good job! Thank you Utpal very much!