No teacher of Eastern wisdom has done as much to challenge the stereotype of 'yogi sitting motionless in a cave' than Sri Chinmoy. Over the past forty years, he has been a tireless proponent (and exponent) of the idea that Eastern poise and Western dynamism can and must go together. In particular he has always percieved sports - and in particular running - as a medium that can combine the best of both worlds to tremendous effect.

Many traditional teachers neglected the state of the body, believing that it was of only transitory use compared to the soul. But in today's fast-paced world, a fit and active body can help us considerably in overcoming the lethargy that hinders us so often in pursuit of our life goals. As Sri Chinmoy puts it:

"We have to pay some attention to sports and exercise. Otherwise, we shall be weak and sick all the time. That does not mean that we must be the world’s fastest runners or best athletes. But we must keep the body fit, according to the necessity of our inner development. The body needs proper training so that it will be fit to receive the message of the soul. If the body is strong and healthy, it can receive the message of the soul unreservedly, and we can become a perfect receptacle, a perfect instrument. At that time the soul’s aspiration and the body’s aspiration go together."

Running is also a perfect exemplar of another facet of Sri Chinmoy's philosophy: self-transcendence. Each one of us has an inner yearning to better ourselves and expand our capacities, a yearning many of us push to the back of our priorities as the mountain of daily responsibilities grows. However, sport offers us the chance to go deep within and bring out our finest qualities to overcome the challenge we set ourselves. In particular, long-distance running is noted for the horizon-expanding effect it has on those who participate. Sri Chinmoy advises that we can gain the most inner benefit from our running if our sense of competition is directed not against others but against our own present standard that we are seeking to overcome.

Competition is good,
Provided it is the competition
Of self-transcendence
And not the competition
Of ego-demonstration.
- Sri Chinmoy

Related Links

- About Sri Chinmoy
- Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team