July 13

Italian Magazine Interview

Sri Chinmoy answers the following questions for the Italian magazine ‘Armonia’ in New York

Question: Which spiritual qualities has humanity developed at this point in its evolution?

Sri Chinmoy: To be very frank, because the world has not developed appreciable spiritual qualities, it is in such miserable condition. If I have to say what spiritual qualities the world has developed up until now, I will say: compromise, mutual agreement and a deep hunger for world peace.

Question: How can mankind make more inner progress?

Sri Chinmoy: To make more inner progress, mankind must resort to spirituality. Prayer and meditation in our everyday life are of paramount importance.

Question: What contribution can each of us make to Mother Earth?

Sri Chinmoy: Each one has to make his own contribution. There is no hard and fast rule that everybody has to make the same contribution. According to his inner capacity, each one has to contribute to Mother Earth for her happiness.

Question: Why are you so involved in so many worldly activities?

Sri Chinmoy: For me, the inner world and the outer world go together, like the fragrance and the beauty of a flower. Again, we can think of a seed and a tree. The seed is underground. There it germinates and eventually it becomes a tree. Then in the course of time, this tree produces new seeds. Like this, inner activities and outer activities must go side by side. Otherwise, there will be no balance between the two.

Question: Can music transform our consciousness?

Sri Chinmoy: Definitely music can transform our consciousness, provided it is soulful, devotional music and not the music that produces vital stimulation. That kind of music can never transform our consciousness. There is a type of music that is all inner illumination and outer progress. This music is spiritual, devotional and self-giving. It can awaken us from deep ignorance-sleep.

Question: Do you have a special wish for the New Millennium?

Sri Chinmoy: My only wish in this New Millennium is to see everybody happy — happy while looking at the world, happy while helping the world, happy in becoming a true citizen of the world for the tremendous evolution and progress of mankind.

Published in Sri Chinmoy Answers, part 30

13,000th BENGALI SONG COMPLETED IN JAPAN

Sri Chinmoy completed his 13,000th Bengali song during his visit to Japan.

He wrote the words to the song on the train ride from Hiroshima to Kamakura on July 13 and composed the music during a function with his students at the Kamakura Park Hotel the following day.

“My 13,000 heart-flower-songs in Bengali, my Mother tongue, I am offering lo all the soulful singers of the world, born and yet unborn,'” he said.

“My gratitude-heart I am prayerfully offering to the Vision-Eye, Compassion-Heart and Protection- Feet of my Absolute Lord Beloved Supreme.”

It took him more than 42 years to complete this remarkable feat. In addition to his Bengali songs, the composer has also written over 7,000 spiritual songs in English.

Published in Anahata Nada, Volune 41, Mid-April–Mid-August 2006