Peaceful listening
By Kristyn Giles
Recess Editor
Sri Chinmoy, known for his music and inspirations for peace, will hold a free concert Friday at 8 p.m. in St. Petersburg’s Bayfront Center Arena. Performing meditative music on more than a dozen instruments, Chinmoy is expected to entertain about 13,000 people.
“One of the key things Chinmoy does is inspire a feeling of oneness through humanity,” said Tilvila Hurwit, who became a student of Chinmoy’s 17 years ago. “Real peace in the world starts inside our hearts. To improve society starts with improvement in ourselves, bringing more joy to life.”
Hurwit said she learned about Chinmoy’s teachings because she wanted to increase her spiritual existence through prayer and meditation. Chinmoy does this through music, art and poetry.
“We all want happiness, success, desire for material things outside of ourselves, but a point comes when we discover these are never ending,” Hurwit said. “Chinmoy tries to inspire the longing to go from within.”
According to Hurwit, Chinmoy’s practice is not like preaching or academics. It is not religious, but spiritual, which Hurwit said is the common source of all religions.
“There is a oneness amongst all of us,” Hurwit said. “We are all brothers and sisters, and this concert gives people of all backgrounds, races and religion the chance to come together to share in aspirations of peace.”
Chinmoy’s music reflects his philosophy of inner peace because it is played in a meditative consciousness with sincerity and purity, according to Hurwit.
“When his music is played, it helps inspire peace, an inner peace, which everyone has experienced, even for a fleeting second in our lives,” she said. “Chinmoy feels he is not the player but the instrument.”
This is what, Hurwit said, separates Chinmoy from other popular musicians.
“He’s not trying to make an impression, but play from the heart,” she said.
“This is why Chinmoy’s music cannot be classified — it’s not jazz, hard rock or even new age.”
For first-time viewers, Hurwit said, the experience will be very simple, and some instruments will be unfamiliar. They may find some parts of the music soft and melodic, while others are dynamic or powerful, she said.
“This music isn’t meant to entertain,” she said. “It is meant to inspire peace within yourself, your family, your community and country.”
Caption:
Sri Chinmoy will be holding a free concert Friday at 8 p.m. in St. Petersburg’s Bayfront Center Arena.
Published by The Oracle, University of South Florida, Vol. 34, No. 155, Thursday, June 12, 1997