He gave his life to lifting up the world literally and metaphorically. His dedication and enthusiasm for his lifting was contagious—the last time we spoke, I was overwhelmed at his excitement about his lifting, always working to lift more and more over the years. It made me want to train harder.
Frank Zane, 1
Sri Chinmoy is a very spiritual man. I feel the reason Sri Chinmoy lifted this weight is because of his love of God and belief that through God all things are possible. This man has done the impossible because of faith, wisdom and love of God. Through God we can do anything and He allows us to reach beyond human endeavours. We may feel we can’t go on, but because we find inner faith, we do. The body says “stop,” but the spirit cries “never.” In the warrior’s code there is no stopping.
– Muhammad Ali 2
“The old time strongmen used to lift huge weights just enough to clear a sheet of paper…it is in this tradition that Sri Chinmoy’s lifts should be seen. His real goal is to bring attention to the spiritual life , which is the real source of his power. For someone who is approaching 70 years of age, training every day with such ponderous weights to inspire humanity is the real world record.”
Frank Zane, 3
“Sri Chinmoy is a pioneer far, far ahead of his time. In centuries to come people will look at his lifts and begin to fathom how great his achievements are.”
– Jim Smith, British Amateur Weightlifters Association
“I think it’s just amazing that you’re capable of doing such tremendous feats of strength. You’re going to be a great inspiration to a lot of people.”
– Bill Pearl, 4
“Guru’s weightlifting was extremely important to him and to the world; but it was a small part of all the things he did. Guru also had his paintings, his poetry, his music and so much more. I cannot put Guru in any one category. Guru outdid everybody in 15 different areas more than any one person had ever done in any one of those areas. “
– Bill Pearl
“I met Guru last year during a nice weekend in his beloved oasis, I felt like meeting a old friend then I realize how at ease I was in his presence and how peaceful I felt too. Of course I knew of his work and his accomplishment but it all became clear to me that he was no ordinary person and that our meeting wasn’t an accident too. Meeting was a great experience that changes our life helping us to see life from another perspective and definitely made us better people.”
– Hugo Girard
“Sri Chinmoy and I have been friends for over 30 years. He was a man of great strength and character… Even as a world record-holder myself, I was constantly amazed by the strength of Sri Chinmoy… Over the years, I always was astounded at his accomplishments… I was touched when Sri Chinmoy wrote a song in my honour, and he sent me a videotape of his group performing it for me. It is a gift I will always treasure.”
– Dan Lurie
Related
- Sporting Tributes at Sri Chinmoy.org ↩
- Included in My Weightlifting Tears and Smiles, by Sri Chinmoy ↩
- Building the Body, 1998 ↩
- Sri Chinmoy, Aspiration-Body, Illumination-Soul Part 1, Agni Press, 1993. ↩