Her story is almost perfection itself. Or at least one that most accurately reflects how we mortals struggle and strive against adversity. Then when we least expect it we accomplish that once insurmountable task that had risen up in front of us.
Click below to hear the sound of Kaneenika’s finish:
Kaneenika finish
In turn we are rewarded or we find the true meaning of just how precious the goals that come to challenge us truly are. Hopefully we learn and grow stronger. Understand just a little better what we must do in order to reach up and draw ourselves closer to our own perfection.
Last year Kaneenika in her first attempt at 3100 miles made it to 3014 miles.
A result that some might call a defeat. But in the peculiar divine world of the Self Transcendence Race it was another kind of victory. One that does not step up onto a visible podium, but instead shines brightly in the summit of the heart.
When we meet this morning I joke with Kaneenika that tomorrow she will not be here
“It is true.”
“It is always very inspiring and encouraging to get messages from people. Quite often I get messages from people I don’t even know. It reminds me that people really follow this race and appreciate what we are doing here.”
“It is so special. When I read these messages they are like a joy pill and a pain killer in one. Also an energy boost. It is so nice to know that people have so much oneness. I am so grateful.”
“This race may look like an individual sport but we have all these supporters and all these helpers. They just carry us along. The race wouldn’t be possible without the helpers and everybody around the world who follows the race. All those who send good wishes and pray for us. That is the beauty of this race.”
“When I was a new disciple. I was watching the race for the first time. I was here in New York for the summer. At the time Rupantar asked me if I would think about this race. But I couldn’t think anything. It was so beyond.”
“Then he told me that Sri Chinmoy once said that when we are doing races like this. Something good happens somewhere else. So I believe that something like that is happening. I don’t believe that Sri Chinmoy created this race just for us to go around and around. That it is really for humanity to make progress.”
Later at the finish line she shares another story. One that took place when she was really having a tough time.
“I was running on the far side of the course and I met a girl who was running in the opposite direction. Then she smiled at me and said you are amazing. I didn’t know her and I didn’t even know if she even knew about the race. So I just smiled back at her out of my misery. And it felt good.”
Click below to hear Sahishnu’s speech and Kaneenika’s speech:
Sahihsnu speech Kaneenika speech
She says that she then came upon a mother walking with her little girl. “I smiled at them and they smiled back at me. I thought wow. I am feeling much better than I felt before.”
Just after this she came back into the camp and noticed a banner with Sri Chinmoy’s smiling face on it. Also on it was the aphorism
Just one smile
Immensely increases
The beauty of the universe.
Sri Chinmoy, A God-devotion-teardrop, 2006
“And I thought, is this the answer to my question. This is why we run these races. To beautify the world. Wow, that is really powerful. I was reflecting on this afterwards. I thought Sri Chinmoy is so smart.”
“He gives us this incredible race. To help to make this world more beautiful.”
*Editors Note: This will be my last post for the race this year. My last attempt to document this incredible event, called the Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race. It is with deep and humble gratitude that I have offered these daily posts to all of you who have both dipped and dove into my little creations. The race is well beyond what my words, pictures, and sound can do. Hopefully you have been inspired and will also be able to accomplish in the near future your own self transcendence task.*
*Click below to read rest of Report*
Continue reading “August 9… To Beautify The World”
