Setting new goals

To consciously challenge ourselves to see just what is achieveable through our physical and mental capacities, has seen amongst other things, the development of extreme sports.

But what really is extreme in these events. Aren’t we as aspiring human beings naturally driven by our inner spirit to challenge, to discover and venture into the unknown? Aren't we called upon to better ourselves and in the process inspire others, so they can go beyond our achievements?

At the moment competing in events like a triple triathlon, a 3,100 mile run, swimming the English Channel or climbing the worlds highest peaks are considered by most to be 'extreme." In the future challenges like these shall become the spring boards for more physically demanding adventures.

What could be more natural than to strive on a daily basis, to move past previous achievements and consciously evolve. Such efforts leads us into higher levels of ability, fulfilment and satisfaction. We should never forget that we are all unique, blessed with inherited and acquired skills and capacities, intuitiveness and physical ability. But how many of us ever grow into our full potential? Who would have thought it possible that the four minute barrier could be broken for the mile, or that anyone could break 2.30 hours for the marathon, now athletes are approaching the 2 hour mark, plus 'teams' of mountaineers are reaching the summit of Mt Everest on a good day!

We should also be aware, who is the 'doer' in these achievements. What gives us the inner capacity to push past the known, into the unknown? Is it our ego, or our conscious ability to draw on a deeper spiritual-strength that lies at the very core of our being? Definitely great champions and achievers have 'extra' capacity, but are they fully realising their true potential and are they conscious of that deeper energy source?

Sri Chinmoy the highly respected seventy-five year-old Indian spiritual and meditation teacher, believes in the perfection of the human spirit through dedicated effort and creative, athletic and meditative pursuits. Daily he follows an inner call that sees him striving for transcendence in any number of activities, the results of which he then humbly offers to others for inspiration. Plus, Sri Chinmoy sees our heart's aspiration - the ceaseless yearning for ever higher and deeper realities - as the spiritual driving-force behind all great advances in religion, culture, sports and science.

Sri Chinmoy calls his daily challenge 'self-transcendence,' and he brought this philosophy so dynamically with him, when he came to the West from India in 1964. Since then his life has been one of constant transcendence, and striving in the process to be a better and more fulfilled person.

Sri Chinmoy continues " My goal is self-transcendence . I do not compete with the rest of the world. I compete only with myself, and I try to become a better human being. This is my ultimate goal. Every day I pray to become a better human being so that I can be of better service to mankind."

For those of us who are his students, and the ever-increasing number of people who are inspired by his growing list of achievements, Sri Chinmoy is a constant reminder of the unlimited potential of the human spirit. He shows that we can achieve far more than we think, and that he as a seventy-five year old continues, not slows down, to set new boundaries in his daily mission to explore his own potential.

How does he do it? Through prayer and meditation and focusing on the spiritual heart. Sri Chinmoy consciously taps into the Infinite Consciousness, the source of his dynamic energy. Sri Chinmoy calls this Consciousness, the Supreme and through his devoted love and service to the Supreme in humanity, Sri Chinmoy manifests his intimate connection in an array of activities, some of which include his musical, creative, athletic and humanitarian pursuits.

Sri Chinmoy tells us that this source of energy is available to all, that we are surrounded by its Infinite Consciousness, by its diversity, vastness and beauty. To energise ourselves and open ourselves to its dynamic energy, and in the process discover our own true potential, we need to quietly enter into its silent embrace through prayer and meditation.

Like Sri Chinmoy our lives can also be filled with numerous opportunites to create and achieve new goals. Certainly possible if we aspire, listen to our intuitive voice, focus on our spiritual heart and not our hesitating minds. The benefits of our effort will be our self-discovery; offering us the highest levels of contentment, happiness and achievement. And although we may not be conscious of it, our very attempt in striving for new goals inspires others to achieve, and that raises the consciousness, happiness, potential and standard of humanity.

Sahayak Plowman.

Link - Self-transcendence champions - the people who challenge themselves.

What is: Self-Transcendence