Sri Chinmoy Family Tree
Sri Chinmoy - A Lifestory

Sri Chinmoy was born Chinmoy Kumar Ghose in Shakpura, East Bengal, British India (now Bangladesh) in 1931. He spent much of his early life in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India, where he immersed himself in spiritual practice, including meditation, prayer, and writing poetry. He arrived in New York City in 1964, embarking on a mission to serve humanity by offering his spiritual wisdom and inspiration. He believed in the inherent goodness and potential within each individual and dedicated his life to helping others discover and cultivate their inner peace and purpose.
Throughout his life, Sri Chinmoy was a prolific author, artist, musician, and athlete. He composed thousands of songs and poems, many of which express his profound spiritual insights and devotion. His artwork, characterized by spontaneous and vibrant "JharnaKala" paintings, sought to capture the essence of inner beauty and transcendence. He was also a dedicated athlete, participating in marathons, ultramarathons, and weightlifting, viewing physical activity as a means to cultivate discipline, willpower, and selftranscendence.
Sri Chinmoy established meditation centers and groups around the world, offering free meditation classes and workshops. His teachings emphasized the importance of inner peace, love, and harmony as pathways to global transformation. He initiated numerous programs and events dedicated to promoting peace and understanding among people of all cultures and backgrounds, including the Sri Chinmoy OnenessHome Peace Run, a global relay run that fosters goodwill and friendship. He served as a meditation leader at the United Nations for many years, offering prayers and meditations for peace. He passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual inspiration and service to humanity.
Family and Early Years
Personal Details
- π Date of Birth
- 27 August 1931
- π‘ Place of Birth
- Shakpura Chittagong District, British India (now Bangladesh)
- π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Family Details
- Parents: Shashi Kumar Ghose and Yogamaya Ghose
- Siblings: He was the youngest of seven children.
Early Career
- π§ββοΈ Early Beginnings
- Sri Chinmoy's professional journey began in the spiritual sphere rooted in his upbringing at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in India.
- π Life at the Ashram
- From a young age he immersed himself in spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer, and service. This formative period laid the foundation for his later teachings and activities. He spent his early years dedicated to intense spiritual discipline within the ashram's environment.
- βοΈ Early Contribution
- His early contributions manifested primarily through his deep spiritual practice and the development of his own inner awareness. While not a "project" in the conventional sense his self-discovery and spiritual growth were the bedrock of his future work. The significance lies in the profound personal transformation he underwent, which informed his later teachings and practices.
- ποΈ Initial Challenges
- The challenges he faced were largely internal involving the rigorous demands of spiritual discipline and the quest for self-realization. Overcoming these internal obstacles was crucial for establishing himself on his spiritual path.
A Journey of Recognition
Career Journey
- A spiritual leader athlete, artist, and musician, Sri Chinmoy championed peace through meditation, sports, and creative expression.
- π§ββοΈ Early Spiritual Leadership
- After years of spiritual practice in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Sri Chinmoy moved to New York City in 1964 and quickly established a meditation center, attracting followers seeking inner peace and self-discovery. His early teachings focused on the path of devotion, self-transcendence, and service to humanity.
- πββοΈ Promoting Peace Through Sports
- Sri Chinmoy believed in the power of physical fitness to complement spiritual growth. He became a dedicated marathon runner and ultra-distance swimmer inspiring others to push their limits. He founded the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, organizing races and events worldwide to promote peace and self-transcendence through sports.
- π¨ Prolific Artistic Pursuits
- Sri Chinmoy expressed his inner vision through art and music. He created countless paintings and drawings known as "Jharna-Kala" (fountain-art), and composed thousands of songs, many of which were performed globally. His artistic endeavors served as a means of inspiring peace, love, and oneness.
- πΌ World Harmony Concerts
- Sri Chinmoy offered hundreds of free peace concerts around the world playing various instruments and sharing his message of inner peace and universal harmony. These concerts reached diverse audiences and aimed to create a sense of global unity through music.
- ποΈ United Nations Peace Meditations
- For over 30 years Sri Chinmoy led weekly peace meditations at the United Nations, offering a space for diplomats and staff to find inner peace and connect with a shared vision of global harmony. This long-term commitment solidified his role as a spiritual advisor and advocate for peace within the international community.
- π Literary Contributions
- Sri Chinmoy authored over 1600 books of poetry, prose, essays, and plays, sharing his spiritual insights and wisdom with readers worldwide. His writings explored themes of self-discovery, devotion, peace, and the potential for human transformation.
Achievements and Milestones
- Here's a list of some of the awards received by Sri Chinmoy:
- π U Thant Peace Award
- β Awarded by the U Thant Peace Award Committee
- π Pilgrim of Peace Award
- β Awarded by the International Meditation Society
- ποΈ Gandhi Peace Award
- β Awarded by the Promoting Enduring Peace organization
- π UNESCO Peace Medal
- β Awarded by UNESCO
- πΊπ³ Mother Teresa Award
- β Awarded by the Mother Teresa International and Millennium Awards Committee.
Additional Highlights
Contributions
- A tireless advocate for peace Sri Chinmoy inspired millions through his multifaceted approach encompassing spirituality, sports, art, and music.
- ποΈ Global Peace Initiatives
- β Founded the Sri Chinmoy Centres International a global network dedicated to fostering peace and meditation.
- β Initiated the World Harmony Run a global relay race promoting international friendship and understanding.
- β Served as the spiritual advisor to the United Nations Staff Recreation Council leading meditations for peace.
- π Athletic Endeavors and Inspiration
- β Promoted running and sports as a means of self-transcendence and inner peace.
- β Founded the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organizing numerous races, including ultramarathons.
- β Emphasized the importance of physical fitness alongside spiritual development.
- π¨ Artistic Expression and Creativity
- β Created Jharna-Kala art a unique style of spontaneous painting characterized by vibrant colors and abstract forms.
- β Composed thousands of songs and musical pieces often performed on instruments like the esraj and flute.
- β Believed that art and music could serve as pathways to inner peace and self-discovery.
- π Literary Contributions
- β Authored numerous books on spirituality poetry, and philosophy.
- β His writings explored themes of self-discovery meditation, and the pursuit of inner peace.
- β Shared his insights on the nature of consciousness and the potential for human transformation.
Death
- Sri Chinmoy passed away on 11 October 2007.
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