In 2004 Stutisheel first started running around Thomas Edison High school. 12 years later he is still going around and around the block each day. It should be pointed out that he stops running when he reaches 3100 miles.
*editors note* This does also have to occur before the end of 52 days each summer, so the major portion of the year remains without him endlessly running there.
But when you talk with Stutisheel, and more importantly when you run with him here as he takes on this sacred mission each summer. You cannot help but feel that he actually belongs to this little concrete loop.
That the DNA of himself and the sidewalk are somehow interchangeable. Pounded together perhaps from the 11 prior summers he has done only this.
Of course he and the other runners leaves for the rest of year. Go home to many countries scattered here and there. But for Stutisheel in particular, some deep bright portion of himself remains embedded here in the track.
Better called perhaps a place of pilgrimage or maybe just his heart’s home.
Today as we run the sun is bright, the air pleasant, in it is a great day to run. I however will circle the block with him 2 times. He on the other hand, if he matches his mileage from yesterday will do it 116 times.
It is day nine for Stutisheel and he says, “Each day is like a small life, or sometimes even a big life. With discoveries, with tragedies, with drama, with joy, with fun, everything.”
Something he has been inspired by recently he says, is the understanding of the importance of an inner thrill.
Stutisheel feels that when you are in touch with this experience then nothing in front of you cannot be accomplished. “You can go far far beyond what you can ever imagine.
“I believe this is one of the secrets that can allow you to proceed not only in this race, but in any endeavor.”
“The inner thrill,” he says is also very practical. A few times already in this race I had pains in different places. What helped he says was the inspiration he received when listening to the Enthusiasm Awakeners one morning in particular. “I felt an inner thrill come like a high voltage current and the pain was gone.”
Even this morning the girls sang a song that deeply touched and inspired him.
I know my limits,
But I must exceed them.
Sourced from http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/es-468
“This is very nice and very powerful.”
Stutisheel describes that this kind of experience is just one of the aspects of the race that inspires him to return so often. “There are so many details that make up the whole picture. It is the whole picture that attracts me. Not just one particular thing. But of course not just the inner thrill, but also the other divine experiences as well.”
“My state of self transcendence. Flowing into the river of time. All these things bring me back.”
My inner thrills run
Like electric current
The moment I unmistakably feel
God’s Presence
In the very depths of my heart.
Only Volodymyr had a poor day yesterday. But at least Dr. Kumar has him back on the track
For some inexplicable reason one of the atomic clocks is having a hard time.
Janos jokes that the runners have a few hours to wait before the start
It doesn’t stop Vajra from picking up trash
Yuri comes
Ashprihanal going through his shoe box
Volodymyr arrives
Start Day 9
Vasu was the only one to run over 70 miles he did 71
He looks strong with 595 miles
He is 17 miles ahead of Atmavir
So close
Atmavir did 60 miles
He now has 578 miles
A dog’s best friend
Heading up the service road
Sharing a lap with sun worshiper Pradeep. Who left his shoes behind.
A bit of yellow
Yuri did 67 miles
Yuri has 566 miles
Getting in the picture
Ashprihanal had 68 miles
He has 550 miles
Some traffic on the course
Coming towards the Enthusiasm Awakeners
Poem by Sri Chinmoy on the fence designed by Kshema
Sponge
Surasa did 64 miles yesterday.
She has 517 miles
Surasa and a bit of green
Ananda-Lahari had 49 miles
He has 514 miles
Burning incense
Kaneenika did 63 miles
She has 503 miles
Clover
Shamita did 62 miles and has 493 miles
A little construction on the road today
Shamita’s crew
In the sidewalk
Sopan did 60 miles
He has 484 miles
Coming through camp
Volodymyr did 26 miles because of his absence from the course for much of yesterday.
He has 473 miles
Everybody takes a drink
Baladev did 56 miles
He has 461 miles and will leave early this afternoon to go to see a dentist.
Lyalya translating into Russian the days prayer
Stutisheel did 63 miles
He has 447 miles
Nirjarini and her cooks bring the morning snack
“I see people with huge smiles on their faces as they go into the school.” Boijayanti has been singing most mornings with the Enthusiasm Awakeners and has been impressed just how many people are inspired by the race.
“I see the cops smiling. I see the teachers smiling. I feel that everything that being offered here is for more than just the runners and for the students of Sri Chinmoy.”
“It feels that others are plugging into the happiness and are receiving from it as well.”
“I love being able to come here. It is such a special race. You want to be part of it in any way you can.”
Click to Play:
Prayer of the day
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
Transcendence is perfection.
Perfection is transcendence.
When we transcend our capacities,
Immediately we get an inner joy,
An inner thrill,
Which is another name for perfection.
No perfection can ever be achieved
Without self-transcendence.
