Please do not forget

1.

Please
Do not forget
That your soul
Is your Master’s breath.

2.

Please
Do not forget
That your life
Is your Master’s feast.

3.

Please
Do not forget
That your heart
Is your Master’s life-boat.

4.

Please
Do not forget
That you have
Many, many friends
    In the world.

5.

Please
Do not forget
That your Master
Has only one friend:
Your heart’s satisfaction-smile.

6.

Please
Do not forget
That you forget your Master
In season and out of season.

7.

Please
Do not forget
That your Master
Never wants to study
In the forgetfulness-school.

8.

Please
Do not forget
That your Master
Is a constant beggar.
He begs you to give him
What you have:
Ignorance-night.

9.

Please
Do not forget
That your Master
Is a sleepless and breathless beggar.
He begs God to give him
What He has and what He is
    For you, only for you.

Sri Chinmoy
27 August 1998

Photographs from meeting, part I

“Please Do Not Forget” — unforgettable harmonies from a divine duo, Narada Michael Walden and Sudhahota Carl Lewis, as they perform Narada’s song based on Sri Chinmoy’s birthday poem series. Accompanying them on flute is Premik Tubbs.

Photographs from meeting, part II

Mrs. Nivedita Edith Chimutengwende, wife of the Minister of Information and Tourism of the Government of Zimbabwe, reads a letter from her husband, the Hon. Mr. Chen Chimutengwende, to Sri Chinmoy, declaring Zimbabwe to be a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom-Nation. This most significant letter was received a few days prior to Sri Chinmoy’s birthday.

Nivedita’s children, Tawanda (age 11) and Mandi (age 13), soulfully listen while their mother reads the letter. Also on stage with them is Madhuja Tabitha Katsande (on the far left), Sri Chinmoy’s pioneer African disciple, and Shailaja Esther Makwara, leader of the Centre in Headlands South, Zimbabwe.

An enthusiastic response from Narada, Sudhahota and the audience members greets Nivedita at the conclusion of her reading.

Photographs from meeting, part III

Narada Michael Walden reads a letter of congratulations to Sri Chinmoy from the Speaker of the House in Malta. Malta was the first nation to become a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom-Nation. The inauguration ceremony was held in Malta on 19 May 1998.

Sudhahota Carl Lewis reads out a most treasured letter to Sri Chinmoy from Comrade Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of the African National Congress and Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This letter declares South Africa to be a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom-Nation, with the full blessings and support of President Nelson Mandela.

Sri Chinmoy’s disciples of African origin, together with other singers, gather on stage to sing Sri Chinmoy’s song, “Africa.” He composed this song in 1986, long before the end of the apartheid era. Its words, specially “Soon, very soon, you will fly,” have proven to be deeply prophetic.

Photographs from meeting, part IV

Sri Chinmoy meditates on stage in profound silence at the close of his birthday function, which he dedicated to the memory of his beloved elder brother Chitta, who passed away on July 2nd.

A happy moment at the end of the evening.

Conversation at Aspiration-Ground¹

Sri Chinmoy: Sudhahota, you are the fastest — not only in the body, but in the mind also. The body, vital and mind can all go very fast. There is definitely a link between the body and the mind. How fast I feel because I have lost so much weight! Again, if one becomes very hungry, tired and exhausted, then what are you going to do? At that time you have to increase your calories. Sudhahota, nowadays are you taking about 2,000 calories?

Sudhahota: When I’m working out, I get about 3,000, but now about 2,000. Then I think I have days when I do 4,000!

Sri Chinmoy: Narada, what kind of exercise do you take?

Narada: I try to keep running a little bit, and I swim.

Sri Chinmoy: Swimming is very good. Daily?

Narada: Not every day, but I stay busy. I have to try your diet, Guru! Maybe not 200 calories a day, though. I don’t know how you do that!

Sri Chinmoy: Try with 1,000 calories first. Then you can bring it down to 900. With 1,000 you can start, but whoever cooks for you has to be very strict. Otherwise, if that person is not strict, you may consume more or you may consume less. If you are taking less than the number of calories that you have planned to take, then unnecessarily you will feel weak.

Sudhahota: Narada, where do you keep your scale?

Narada: I have a scale in my bathroom.

Sri Chinmoy: Bathroom scales are rubbish!

Sudhahota: What about the kitchen? (laughter)

Sri Chinmoy: When you use a bathroom scale, you can gain five pounds in ten minutes. You weigh yourself, and ten minutes later you will see that five pounds you have gained, although you have not eaten or drunk anything. Every five minutes a bathroom scale changes. It is like magic!

Sudhahota: Get a good scale and put it near where you eat. Put one in the kitchen and one in your studio.

Sri Chinmoy: A doctor’s scale is the best. It is the most accurate and reliable. Sudhahota’s suggestion is good: to put the scale where you eat.

Sudhahota: I get on it before I go to the dinner table. It’s a mental thing. For a while Ruth, my cook, would always take it away, because I would get on it and not eat. Now she doesn’t do that anymore. Put a scale where you eat, and get in front of the mirror every day. (Patting Narada’s knee affectionately) You’re vain enough for that to help, Narada — I know!

Narada: Guru, the statue of you at Sacred Rock is so beautiful out back! It is so beautiful — and your voice! I play the tape of the message you sent me for everyone who comes there. It’s very beautiful.

Sri Chinmoy: Now, at my request, the same sculptor, Kaivalya, is making a bust of President Mandela, because we are going to have a celebration in South Africa in two months’ time.

Narada: Are you going, Guru?

Sri Chinmoy: I will see. If I do not go, I will ask someone to bring the bust and offer it to President Mandela on my behalf.

Sudhahota: When I was in South Africa, I had a chance to meet him. It was really beautiful because there were so many children around. There were 15 little kids all the time. That’s what I remember most: he had all these children around him all the time. He would say to them, “Come over here!” and he would show such love and compassion to these little kids. Maybe they were all his family, but it didn’t seem like it.

Sri Chinmoy: (referring to a letter proclaiming South Africa a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom-Nation): Sudhahota, I am going to send President Mandela the tape of you reading out the letter we received from South Africa at my birthday celebration yesterday. President Mandela fully supports this proclamation, and he gave his blessings to his Deputy to send us the letter on his behalf. We started with Malta. It was the first country to become a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom-Nation. Then Zimbabwe followed and now South Africa. South Africa is most significant because of the countless sufferings they have gone through. Soon New Zealand will make the declaration.

Narada: I think it is just a matter of time before you get the Nobel Peace Prize, Guru.

Sri Chinmoy: One of these days it may happen. Who knows? But let us not talk about me. What are your plans, Sudhahota? What are you doing nowadays? How often do you go to California?

Sudhahota: I’ll be going starting in September, for a week or two every month.

Sri Chinmoy: For acting lessons?

Sudhahota: I’m taking lessons in Houston, but I’m going to California just to be on the scene!

Sri Chinmoy: When will be your first appearance?

Sudhahota: I have a few things I’ve already read for, and a few things I will be reading for in September and October. It’s just a matter of plugging away!

Sri Chinmoy: And you are also taking singing lessons?

Sudhahota: I’m getting back into music as well. I’ve been focusing on acting, but eventually I want to get back into music.

Sri Chinmoy: In September you will start going to Los Angeles?

Sudhahota: Yes, that’s where our agency is. They want me to be seen at events, and to make myself available. A lot of times a reading may come up the next day. When I’m in Houston, sometimes I can go to California the next day, and sometimes I can’t. Sometimes my agent may say, “There’s going to be a lot going on one week, so come and stay that week.”

Narada: You should meet with some great directors.

Sudhahota: That’s a very good idea. Being out there, I can do that — not when I’m just going for a two-day trip, meeting four people and coming home. I need to be out there.

Narada: I think Sudhahota will get further in acting than in singing. Music has been taken over by rap groups. Unless he’s doing rap, it can be very difficult for him to make it.

Sri Chinmoy: Can you not do both? Some actors all of a sudden start singing. One actor did that about 40 years ago. Then he became a Minister and all kinds of things.

Narada: Was he white or black?

Sri Chinmoy: White.

Sudhahota: That helps!

Sri Chinmoy: All of a sudden, while acting, he would sing. In Sudhahota’s case also, while he is acting, all of a sudden if he sings for a few minutes, it will add so much. Many actors cannot do that.

Narada: But the problem with music, Guru, is that no one is taken seriously if they come from acting or television. It’s very rare. It happens every now and then, but very rarely are they taken seriously. There are many actors who want to be rock stars and musicians, but they are never taken seriously. It takes millions of dollars to break in. It’s very difficult. It can happen, but it’s very difficult.

Sri Chinmoy: But producers can turn night into day and day into night.

Narada: We can try!

Sri Chinmoy: You can do it. How much talent producers have in publicity! You know, you see it. Let us take you, for example. There were some singers who joined you 15 or 20 years ago when they were unknown. Now they have become very, very important and powerful. How did you make them so important? Previously they were insignificant. Then afterwards, when they became prominent, they left you. Before that, it was your talent, not their talent.

Narada: I’m doing the same thing now, Guru. I have four brand-new young stars. We’re working with them. But in Sudhahota’s case, because he’s Carl Lewis, they won’t take him seriously. There’s another big movie star I recorded for — they won’t take him seriously. There are many, many people who are big, big names who want to break into music.

Sri Chinmoy: In music also they have talent?

Narada: Yes, but people don’t take them seriously. They think, “Oh, he’s an actor, he’s a comedian.” They won’t buy his record unless he is with someone else who is also very powerful, perhaps. You may not like rap music, but rap music is what’s happening at the moment. If Sudhahota got with some hot rapper, then he might have a chance.

Sudhahota: I know of one athlete who did that. Guru, acting is the same way, but more people have done it, so they are more willing to accept you. Now I’m getting the same thing: “Yeah, right, you want to be an actor!” So I have to prove that, because most people don’t think I’m serious there, either. It’s hard for me even to get readings because they say, “Here’s another guy who just wants to be a star because he can’t run anymore.” That’s what they’re saying when I leave the room. I’m taking lessons. I’m going to have to film my lessons so that they can send tapes to these people so that they’ll even talk to me. They figure, well, it’s so easy to find someone on the street and make him a star as opposed to changing everyone’s perception about this person to make him a star in another field. It can be done, and I think acting is easier than music, but still it’s tough. I think I have the talent to do it, but you have to stick to it and work hard. We’re going to do it.

Sri Chinmoy: Narada, your theory is that because Sudhahota was an extraordinary, extraordinary figure in athletics, people will not take him seriously in another field. As soon as people hear his name, they think only of the supreme athlete, “King Carl.” Because he has reached the topmost height in one field, they do not want to accept him in another field. But I would like to say, why not? If one can be extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary, and unique in one field, why should he not enter into another field? And in Sudhahota’s case, his voice can add to his acting.

You are saying it has to be a certain way in the music world, but let us take our India’s Mahatma Gandhi. He knew absolutely nothing about music, but when he said something about music, the whole world listened. Here also, if Sudhahota says something about acting or anything else, they will take it seriously just because it is Carl Lewis who is saying it. He has already reached a great height, even though he may not be an actual authority on a particular subject. When our Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore said something on any subject, people listened. He may have known next to nothing about that subject, but just because he had become an extraordinary figure, because he had reached the highest in poetry, when he said something on any subject, others valued it.

Take, for example, a well-known bodybuilder, a Mr. Olympia, who is now in the acting world. People take him seriously. Why? Because he was Mr. Olympia for so many years. It has definitely helped him.

Narada, you are saying that because Carl Lewis was so great as an athlete, people will not take him seriously in acting or music. That is your way of thinking. But you can also take it the other way. He is already an authority in one field, like Gandhi and Tagore. People already have great respect for him. It is the same with President Gorbachev. Previously he was in politics, but now people listen when he says something on any subject.

If you say something, dearest Narada, it is the same, because you are so well known in the music world. In exactly the same way, Sudhahota’s previous achievements will be of tremendous help. Your theory is that his previous achievements as an athlete will stand in his way. But you can take it the other way. If somebody can reach the highest in one field, then we can have confidence in him in other fields also.

Sudhahota: I think that people in the business are the problem. If I tell the public what I’m doing, they say, “Oh, that’s exciting.” The public is willing to say, “You’re doing this now, or you’re trying that, and it’s great.” But when I sit in meetings and say it to people in the business, they’re the ones who are resisting. It’s not really the public. That’s happened with some stars. It didn’t seem like the labels really got behind them, did it?

Narada: It’s hard to say. Maybe not.

Sudhahota: That’s really a question I don’t know the answer to. Then, Guru, in this business, being a black male doesn’t help. That doesn’t stop us, Guru. That’s just the reality we have to deal with.

Sri Chinmoy: Your very name, Carl Lewis, creates excitement and enthusiasm. Muhammad Ali was a boxer, and he created such a sensation! In the athletic world, you have given us so much joy. Even now, when you go to Japan or somewhere else, everybody is excited. There are others who are now champions, but nobody will vote for them. On your side there will be 2,000 people, and on their side nobody. Such a sensation you have created in the world family! You are known infinitely more than other champions.

You are saying that it is very difficult to shine in the acting world because white people are more prominent and black people do not get the same opportunity. True, there may be more white people, but that does not mean that black people will not do well. In your case, you are universally loved. So many people, whites and blacks alike, care for you.

Your agent should take full advantage of this excitement, this sensation, that you create for the public. You are saying that the business world is not responding to you. But after all, who buys albums? Who watches films? It is the public. Your very name creates a sensation for the public. If the public does not respond to you, it is another thing. But your very name creates excitement. Unfortunately, there is a gulf between the public’s excitement and the reality perceived by these agents. There should be a way for your agents to approach the public. You have a drum, the world’s best drum, and you have sticks. Now somebody has to come and strike the drum!

Already he has got such an advantage, Narada! One way of thinking is, “Oh, he is a supreme athlete. He will be a useless actor!” But it may be just the opposite. Because he is a supreme athlete, he has created already a sensation, so people will eagerly go to see him.

If a shop has most delicious mangoes, people will go there to buy them. Then, all of a sudden if the owner says, “I have jackfruit also, with an excellent taste,” people will immediately go to try the jackfruit, because already he has attracted them with his mangoes. In your case, Sudhahota, people are coming to you for one thing, and then you can show them that you have something else to offer which is also very nice. Another person could not do this. He would have to start right from the beginning to cultivate the faith of the public. Both you and Narada have the same advantage: your names are like household words. But, in your case, Sudhahota, you are not exploiting your name; it is just that your very name is attracting people, the way bees are attracted to a flower. If there is no flower, first you have to sow the seed, and God alone knows when the plant will grow and blossom. Already you have become a plant, with beautiful flowers full of fragrance. There should be some way to attract people to appreciate the beauty and fragrance of the flowers.

Narada: There are ways, Guru. We have to talk about it. We haven’t actually seen each other in months.

Sudhahota: It’s been a while.

Sri Chinmoy: You two are not doing the right thing! Even if you do not see each other, can you not talk on the phone in the evening when you are relaxed? Who is forbidding you? Why can you not discuss your activities on the phone? You can select a particular time when both of you will be free and then you can call each other. In that way there will be mutual encouragement. Both of you will find new ways to make progress.

Sudhahota: Okay, Guru.

Sri Chinmoy: Please try to do this. You know how much love I have for both of you, but you are stuck somewhere. Somehow you are not seeing the light. My dear Sudhahota, you do have the indomitable urge, indomitable determination, indomitable will-power, and that indomitable willpower you have to use in your music world and in your acting world. Just break through the wall! You will not get hurt. You are afraid of the wall, but you can either jump over it or go through it. This wall is not like the Great Wall of China! It is meant to be surmounted. You must not surrender to the wall. Indomitable will-power you both have. Just use it! Go through the wall!

Your birthday gift to me will be only for you to exercise your indomitable will-power. That will be the supreme birthday gift that you give me. My request to you is: please talk on the phone and encourage each other. That will be very good. Do not forget and speak only once in six months! Even if you cannot meet together, on the phone you can speak.

Narada: It’s all his fault. (laughter)

Sri Chinmoy: With one hand you cannot clap. To clap you need both hands.

Sudhahota: (to Narada): Every time I say something, you’re going to get into trouble again, so I’m just going to be quiet! _(laughter)/ _Narada: Guru, I know! We can make Sudhahota the Ambassador of Love to go from nation to nation to speak to people. We can play music together. This is an excellent idea.

Sri Chinmoy: It is an excellent idea.

Narada: We can go to Africa.

Sri Chinmoy: What about UNICEF?

Sudhahota: We’ve been talking to them, Guru.

Sri Chinmoy: You should be an Ambassador of Goodwill, like Jesse Owens. You should be America’s Ambassador of Goodwill.

[In an unrecorded segment, Sudhahota mentions that he wants to continue travelling all over the world to encourage children. He also recounts how Sri Chinmoy’s students in many countries have taken care of him during his travels for track and field competitions.]

Sudhahota: It’s great to see all the disciples bringing their young children to be inspired to love, to love peace, to love others at this young age, because it’s something they will teach everyone around them when they grow up.

Thank you again for everything. I would like to thank all the disciples. The peace was beautiful. And Happy Birthday again, Guru!

Sri Chinmoy: My divine Narada, I shall remain eternally grateful to you for bringing my Sudhahota, the champion of the inner world, and our Carl Lewis, the champion of the outer world.

When I see you two together, both of you give me Infinity’s Bliss. My Narada, with my aspiration-heart and dedication-life I always unreservedly value the source. Here, you are the source to bring Carl Lewis to our God-loving family.

Your love for your younger brother Sudhahota I can only feel, but I will never be able to express adequately, although over a thousand books go to my credit.

The world knows you as a super, super drummer. The world knows you as a great music producer. The world knows you as a man of very big heart.

In the music world, you have inspired and brought to the fore the then unknown musicians.

To our great joy and surprise, you have added even more name and fame to some established musical celebrities by bringing out their albums.

Narada, my Narada, my divine Narada.

Photographs from conversation

In an animated conversation lasting more than an hour, Sri Chinmoy, Narada and Sudhahota discuss a range of subjects. The discussion is punctuated by many light-hearted moments.

Photographs from conversation, part II

Sri Chinmoy gives extra joy to Narada and Sudhahota by offering them each photograph albums of their performance the previous evening.

Photographs from conversation, part III

Sudhahota enjoys the performances of the children-singers and offers his illumining comments about children.

Photographs from conversation, part IV

An affectionate moment between Sri Chinmoy and Sudhahota.

Sri Chinmoy's reflections²

Gandhi knew nothing about music, but when he spoke about music, everybody listened. Tagore knew nothing about some subjects, but people listened to him whenever he spoke. Once people become famous, they create a sensation. Then everybody tries to hear what they have to say.

In books of quotations, big shots comment on so many subjects. Are they supreme authorities? Not at all! A gardener or a teacher of botany knows so much about flowers, but nobody will care for the gardener’s comment on flowers. But if a big shot says something about flowers, everybody will listen. This is life!

This definitely applies to Sudhahota, except that in his case, he does have a real talent for acting and singing. But jealous musicians and jealous actors will say, “Oh, he is an athlete. What does he know about singing?” They may not want to encourage him because he is already established as a superlative athlete. But the world will not follow that philosophy. The world will just run to see him. The way Sudhahota’s name has spread all over the world, other champions will not get the same glory. Jesse Owens created the same effect. If Jesse Owens stood in one corner, everybody would go to see Jesse Owens. Similarly, if Muhammad Ali is available somewhere, people will run to Ali. The whole world will flock to Ali. Who will go to other boxers like that? In the same way, Sudhahota’s name is so well established. This is always an advantage. The public is eager to see and hear him. The public is so proud of him and fond of him.

Out of sheer affection, Narada was concerned that people would say, “Carl Lewis is an athlete. What does he know about singing?” But I do not believe that will prove to be a problem. I know from my own experience that someone can pass from one field to another. In terms of music theory, what do I know? But just because I am a spiritual man, people value me as a musician. There are many people who will accept my opinion if I say something about music, whereas they may not care for the opinions of some professional musicians. The world will value my opinion because of my spiritual standard, although in their line the professional musicians are the experts.

Who can be a better example than the Pope? If the Pope says something on any subject, people listen. He does not have to study physics or science. If the Pope says something about the atom bomb, people will quote him again and again. If the Pope speaks on any subject, whether it is politics or peace, I tell you, the Pope’s words will receive the utmost attention.

How many subjects did Mother Teresa know in detail? But with her infinite sympathy and concern, she was not afraid to broach any subject. It was because her spiritual and moral standard was so high that everyone listened.

If you are great in one field, really great, then you can bravely speak. You can enter into another field, and out of sheer curiosity or respect, people will come to see you and listen to you. John McEnroe is a great tennis player, but if people hear that McEnroe is going to play basketball, out of sheer curiosity they will go to watch him. If McEnroe says he is giving a concert on the guitar, even if a super-excellent musician says he is a very bad player, I tell you, thousands will go to hear him, just because of his name. Does he need musical skill? His name itself is music!

When I give Peace Concerts, my musical performance as such may be third class. Why do thousands of people come to hear me? They do not come to see a musician; they come to see a man of peace. They do not come with a critical mind. They feel a spiritual vibration in the concert hall. When I sing, people are satisfied because they are coming for peace. As soon as I am on the stage, my presence puts them in another world. They do not mind if I make mistakes when I play; they are in trance. Perhaps I put them to sleep! When other musicians play their thunderous music, people in the audience say, “He has made a mistake here, he has made a mistake there.” If somebody is only a musician, then people will go only to hear his music and to criticise him or adore him for that. In my case, the audience is transported to another world. That world saves me from criticism.

Thousands of people go to see President Gorbachev. He gives talks on politics, but the audience members are not politicians. It is only the name “Gorbachev” that draws them. There are many in the audience who are doctors, scientists or philosophers. They do not care for politics at all. But they care for the man; that is why they go. They want to hear the same message again and again, because they like the man. They do not expect consolation or illumination from him as a politician. It is his name that has attracted their attention and created a sensation in their heart. Every day newspapers around the world quote him. When President Gorbachev speaks on any subject, it will come out in the newspaper just because Gorbachev is Gorbachev.

Look at Leonardo da Vinci. He mastered eight or nine subjects. In which field was he best? He was an artist, a philosopher, a sculptor, an architect, an engineer and so on. Da Vinci the man had so many diverse interests. Which one surpassed the rest? He was brilliant in each field. He even envisioned the aeroplane! Who will dare to say that da Vinci was useless because he was interested in a multitude of subjects?

The name of the person carries everything. Even now, if people say the name “John Kennedy,” they have such a good feeling for him. The name “Kennedy” immediately creates a good feeling, a compassionate feeling, an affectionate feeling. People do not think of the details of his life. When they think of President Kennedy, the first thing that comes to their mind is compassion and then affection. Other Presidents may have been very wise or very shrewd, but people do not care for them in the same way. Kennedy’s name has created something unique in American history.

These ideas I want Sudhahota to hear. He must not think that just because he is famous in one field, people will not take him seriously in another field. He definitely has the capacity to become great in more than one field. His athletic achievements will be an asset in his acting and singing.

Narada said something very nice. He said that Sudhahota can become an Ambassador of Goodwill. Sudhahota can mix with children so nicely. He has the good quality of being able to mix with children. Many great people cannot mix with anybody. But Sudhahota can mix very well with children, so it would be ideal if he could become an Ambassador of Goodwill for the United Nations or the United States.

I have such admiration and adoration for my dearest Sudhahota.

The Light of the Immortals³

Sri Chinmoy: Dear Sudhahota, I know that some souls have now done better than you in terms of speed, but I wish to say that in terms of world-acceptance they cannot approach you. Ninety-nine out of a hundred world-citizens will not know who holds the current world record for the 100 metres. Even if they do know, they will still say that Carl Lewis is the fastest human being on earth. Their knowledge of Carl Lewis and their love for Carl Lewis far surpass their interest in the actual record. They have such love and admiration for you that they do not care if you no longer hold the record. Love is like that. If we love someone, if we admire and adore him, then we feel that he is by far the best.

If Carl Lewis is standing in one corner of a sports ground and the present world record-holder for the 100 metres is standing in another corner, everybody will run to the place where Carl Lewis is standing. Because of your charisma, because of your feeling of oneness, because of the inner beauty and fragrance which you have spread all around the world, people will run to you, either to ask for your autograph, or to look at you, or simply to be around you, to be in your presence.

These things I am saying not because you are my dearest Sudhahota. I am not flattering you. These are supreme realities. Your very name has become synonymous with speed. Yes, other sprinters do have excellent speed, but who they are, very few people will know.

Your childhood idol was Jesse Owens. So many runners have now surpassed him in terms of speed. But he will always remain immortal. Why? Because he had the heart’s divine qualities. It is because of his heart’s qualities that he will always remain king in the sports world. I am sure you know the story of Luz Long, the German broad jumper. At the Berlin Olympics, he and Jesse Owens became firm friends instead of worst enemies. How did it happen? Only because of Jesse Owens’ big heart. During the qualifying round of the broad jump competition, the German champion was leading. Then Jesse Owens saw that Luz Long was getting cramps in his calves and finding it difficult to jump properly. So Jesse Owens went over and started massaging the legs of his so-called arch-rival to save him. Jesse Owens showed the whole world his heart’s might. The story did not end there. Jesse Owens was also in trouble. His first jump was a foul and his second jump was very weak. He had only one more chance to qualify for the finals. Who came to advise him and give him confidence? Luz Long. Luz Long told Jesse Owens to place his marker further back so that he would not run the risk of a foul. Luz Long even went so far as to put his own towel at that place. Look at how Jesse Owens’ big heart brought forward the heart of Luz Long!

Then, when Jesse Owens finished first in the finals, both of them embraced each other. This was their mutual nobility. They showed the world that friendship crosses far beyond the barriers of time and clime. When I met with Jesse Owens in 1972, he told me this story. Unfortunately, his dearest friend, Luz, was killed during the war, but Jesse Owens stayed in touch with his son, Karl Long, and maintained a lifelong friendship. Every month Jesse Owens used to send him money from America and he supported him for years. Here also, Jesse Owens showed his heart’s qualities.

For years, Jesse Owens raised the standard of sports. He came of a very, very poor family. But because of the way he spread his inner light, he drew the attention of the whole world and the whole world accepted him. He was loved not only by blacks, but also by whites; not only by Americans, but by people of all nationalities. He made an immortal contribution to the world at large. There will always be someone faster to come and break world records. But it is their inner light that matters most of all. If that inner light is lacking, then the world will not accept them.

In your case, my dearest Sudhahota, the world will always love you because of your inner light and not just because of your glorious outer achievements. Your outer achievements may eventually be surpassed, but you will continue to spread your inner light. Everybody receives something when an individual spreads light.

One person climbs up a mango tree and brings down most delicious mangoes to share with the rest of the world. Another fellow may remain stuck at the top of the tree, eating the mangoes alone to his heart’s content. He has no intention of coming down to share the fruits with others. Jesse Owens was one of those who came down to share with the world, and my Sudhahota is also doing the same. That is why you two are immortals. We look at immortals in a special way because the world received something from them and continues to receive from them. True, in every field there will be someone to surpass the champion. That is because the world is constantly progressing. New records are being set, but those new records cannot capture the heart’s affection, love, closeness and oneness. These new record-holders are great in their own right, but when it comes to offering inner light to humanity, they may not be offering that light at all.

There have been so many boxing champions of the world, but when Muhammad Ali came onto the scene, the whole world responded. Muhammad Ali has fought many people, true, but at the same time he has a very big heart and that heart has conquered the world. His heart is there for everybody to see. I was extremely fortunate to meditate with him three or four times. When he used to call me ‘brother’, he really meant it; it was not just a word. Again, in the boxing field, there have been new world champions who have surpassed Muhammad Ali’s achievements. But Ali the heart they can never surpass. They may have physical strength, vital strength or mental strength — but all these will one day disappear. Only the heart’s strength forever lives. Real strength comes from the heart, not from the body or mind.

The Christ, Lord Krishna and other spiritual figures of the highest heights have illumined the world on the strength of their heart-power. Affection, compassion and love they have offered to humanity in infinite measure. These qualities which they had in infinite measure, we also have to some extent. Some people have them in abundance, while others have only a drop. Even then, we cannot say that this drop has no value. It is the countless drops that make up the ocean. If the drop is separated from the ocean, it will have no existence. It will dry up into nothing. For me, dearest Sudhahota, you are part and parcel of the ocean of light.

When we do something here on earth from the heart and in the heart, it lasts forever. Physically, we live for a few years and then we all leave this earth when the time comes. But from the spiritual point of view, whoever has spread light in the heart and from the heart has really contributed something immortal to humanity.

You have now retired from sports, and there may come a time when your stupendous records will be broken. But inwardly you are all heart. Like a flower, the heart can be manifested. Each petal of your heart-flower has to bloom and blossom. Outwardly you have won nine gold medals, but in the inner world, many, many gold medals you can offer to humanity. These gold medals will all come from your heart.

[Sudhahota presents Sri Chinmoy with a wristwatch.]

Sri Chinmoy: Every day I try to walk eight miles. I always like to check the timing of my first mile, but I was having problems finding a wristwatch that I liked. Yesterday I wore two watches. They were so complicated! I forgot to press the correct buttons and everything went wrong. Then one of the disciples gave me a different kind. It is so simple. I can easily see the timing of the first mile, second mile, third mile and so on. Now I will try your watch.

A wristwatch measures time, but God tells us at every moment to go beyond time. From time we have to go beyond time. The wristwatch reminds us of time, but we have to go beyond time, otherwise time creates problems. So we can use our wristwatch to remind us of the One who is ever-transcending.

In every aspect of life we have to go beyond, beyond. We start by loving our mother and father; then our brothers, sisters and other family members. At first, our family is our whole world. Then we go beyond our family and expand our love to include our neighbours and friends. Gradually, we come to the point where we love our country and then the whole world.

Time and space we must transcend. We live on earth for 50, 60, 70 or 80 years. Then we take rest in the soul’s world.

Similarly, here on earth after we take exercise, we go and rest for some time. In our philosophy, we believe in reincarnation. We feel that we live on earth for a particular span of years and then the soul returns to the soul’s world to rest. From the finite, we return to the Infinite. Our body, vital and mind are all finite. When we leave the physical plane we shall discard them. But inside our body is the heart and inside the heart is something we call the soul. The soul keeps a constant connection with the Supreme, both on earth and in Heaven. After it has rested for some time, our soul receives permission from the Supreme to descend into the physical plane once again with a new body and new inspiration, energy and enthusiasm to manifest and fulfil the Supreme in His own Way here on earth.

When we pray and meditate, we come to know that we do have an Inner Pilot who is guiding us at every moment. But if we do not pray and meditate, there is no guarantee that we will do the right thing. At that time, we feel that we have to take full responsibility for our lives. When we take full responsibility, when we are self-reliant, at every moment we may make mistakes. Again, to those who sincerely feel that they are nothing without God, those who rely upon God at every moment, God says, “You are My child, you are My representative. What I have and what I am, you offer to mankind. Take it and use it for everyone.”

When we rely only upon ourselves, we make so many mistakes. We take one or two steps and then, before we can take a third step, self-doubt will come before us like the Great Wall of China. But when we depend upon God, at that time we look around and see that the wall has disappeared. God has taken away the wall from our path.

Sudhahota: Guru, the other day you were telling Narada and me about your very strict diet.

Sri Chinmoy: Mine is a stupid diet, but it has helped me tremendously. So far, I have lost 29 pounds. I started last month, on July 19th. At that time I was 180 pounds! Today I am 151 and I do not feel weak at all. Yesterday I was able to press an 80-pound weight two or three inches with each arm. Twenty pounds I pressed 30 times, and then 30 pounds 10 times, 40 pounds 10 times, 50 pounds 30 times, 60 pounds 10 times, 70 pounds 10 times and, finally, 80 pounds 20 times with each arm. Ten years ago I used to do 100 pounds.

For over a month, I have been taking 200 calories a day or even 170. But once a week, usually on Saturday, I take more. And every day I walk eight miles. I am a first-class vagabond, so early in the morning I can go out and walk. My weight has been descending, descending. My new goal is 145 pounds.

Sudhahota: I take about 2,000 or 2,500 calories per day!

Sri Chinmoy: The mind becomes clearer when the body becomes lighter. Still I have not eaten anything today, but I feel so much clarity in the mind.

My dearest Sudhahota, over the years you have blessed me with your shoes and so many significant things. This time also you have given me your wristwatch. All your most precious gifts I cherish and I have kept them in a special place. I am so grateful to you for coming here for my birthday celebration and for spending so much time with us.

Photographs from meeting

On 3 September Sudhahota visits Sri Chinmoy once more, this time in the company of his literary collaborator, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jeffrey Marx.

Sri Chinmoy offers his deepest gratitude to Sudhahota for his gift of a Nike sports watch. Over the years, Sudhahota has presented Sri Chinmoy with many symbolic gifts which Sri Chinmoy deeply cherishes. These include his winner’s bouquet from the 200-metre race at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, his winning long jump shoes from the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, and the shoes that he wore for the 100-metre event at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, in which he set a new world record.

Photograph of Sudhahota

“Here Sudhahota is standing at the start of my track lane. This is where I practise my running, and I have dedicated this 100-metre lane to my hero-coach supreme, Sudhahota Carl Lewis. He dedicated his world-famous running track at the University of Houston, where he and other world champions practise, to me — and so I have dedicated mine to him. He has given me the ocean and I have given him a tiny drop.”

— Sri Chinmoy

Photograph

Sudhahota chats affectionately with his youngest Japanese friend, Deepti Kanamori (age 14), shown with her parents, Voikunthanath and Veenapani.

Photograph

Inside his Geo Tracker jeep, Sri Chinmoy and his most distinguished passenger soulfully meditate together. Backseat passengers: two supreme admirers of Sudhahota Carl Lewis — Kirit of Japan and Hutashan of Switzerland.

Sri Chinmoy's Birthday Celebration

On the morning of his 67th birthday, 27 August 1998, Sri Chinmoy wrote a series of nine short poems entitled, “Please Do Not Forget.” Later that same day, Narada Michael Walden arrived in New York to attend Sri Chinmoy’s birthday celebration. He was so deeply moved and inspired by these poems that he spontaneously set them to music and recorded them, together with Premik Tubbs. On the recording, Narada sings “Please Do Not Forget” and plays the synthesiser, while Premik improvises on Western flute.

With his boundless energy and enthusiasm, plus his unparalleled musical genius, Narada taught the song to his dearest brother, Sudhahota Carl Lewis, and together they sang it as a birthday gift for Sri Chinmoy that same evening, accompanied by Premik. Their most soul-stirring rendering of these significant words received a standing ovation from Sri Chinmoy and the audience of more than one thousand of his students from around the world — and made the words “Please Do Not Forget” truly unforgettable in our hearts and minds.