The Last Day, U.S.A.

“…The final end of nature’s dance,

I am It whom I have sought.”

Sri Chinmoy , Founder of the World Harmony Run

After a four month long effort such as the one that we are now ending, one tends to become a bit emotional and philosophical. On this last day of our four month journey through America mixed feelings of sadness and relief race through my mind. In asking the question, “Why did we do this and what did we accomplish?”, one could find the

answers in the experiences that we had and through the people that we met.

As we traversed this great country, we have tried to share what harmony means to us as concerned citizens of the world family. We feel that harmony on a global level begins in our own individual hearts and lives; we embody the harmony that we seek. In our own relationship with the world, with other people as well as with nature and the earth itself, we can find and share this harmony, which is a natural state of being in this vast universe as well. Our own world then can be expanded to include others and reach out to those who are in need. In running through all the contiguous states of the U.S.A., we have truly reached out and shared the meaningful experiences of harmony and oneness with thousands of caring individuals.

Those who came out to share these experiences today were no exception. The fact that this was the last day of the Run and we were running in a state where I have spent much of my life was even more special to me. As I ran through the towns near where I grew up, it was so uplifting to be cheered by passersby. A number of people out walking or running on this muggy and quiet Sunday morning kindly stopped to hold or even carry the Torch with me. One woman even came out from her car to give me a bottle of cold water.

At one point, we were joined by a Congressman who wanted to greet us and run a mile. He was so inspired that he ran about five miles with us in very hot and humid conditions. Along the way he wanted to run alongside different runners to learn more about their individual countries. He truly made our day a memorable and special one.

We were also honored by a local First Selectman, Ken Flato, who saw us running through his town of Farifield and stopped to greet us even though he was on his way to an important meeting.

In Westport we were greeted by Mayor Diane Farrell and her husband Win. Mrs. Farrell offered us very inspiring messages and a wonderful proclamation as well. We were outside by all the flags of the member states of the United Nations displayed along a bridge just for our arrival there. A representative from the International Hospitality Committee originated by Ruth Steinerkrauss-Cohen many years ago, also offered us kind words on this very hot Sunday morning.

The IHC and the United Nations Association were instrumental in welcoming us in such a global way. We are grateful to Bill Haas, from the United Nations, and members of the U.N.A. who honored us in this very special way.

We were also happy to meet Denise Lohnn and her ten year old daughter Gianna, from Southport. They are part of a group called Young Citizens Diplomatic Club, which was formed to foster peace, love, understanding and friendship around the world. Gianna read out a very nice message she composed for the World Harmony Runners.

In it she writes, “Peace and Harmony resemble a blanket, keeping you warm and protecting you from illness, which has caused the world suffering and pain.”

In Norwalk the world’s largest dairy store, Stew Leonard’s, offered us free ice creams as some of our runners battled heavy rains to get there. Upon arriving, Mayor Knopp and Assistant City Clerk Mary Roman, greeted us warmly.

As we tried to stay dry in an outdoor picnic tent with the pouring rain as a backdrop, Mayor Knopp kindly read out a Proclamation declaring World Harmony Run Day in Norwalk. Meghan, the Director of Public Relations, was very hospitable, allowing us to stroll through the beautiful and busy store with the lit Torch, sharing it with those who took an interest.

We ended our day at the Stamford home of some very good friends and supporters who provided us with a very large spread of excellent food. As we mingled and reminisced, I felt that we truly did accomplish something very significant. It took a large team effort, beyond just those of us who ran, to show that the qualities of goodness, friendship, peace, oneness and love which are all part of the Harmony we strive for, are very powerful and positive experiences that bring joy to the hearts of all people.

As the running team, we cannot say enough to thank all those who were part of the larger team effort that encompassed people from all the states and from all backgrounds and beliefs. This concept of harmony seemed to transcend all the barriers that separate us as individuals with different lives and varying philosophies. The concept of a ‘world family’ seemed like more of a reality when we consider all the thousands of people who shared in our experiences and inspiration and all those who are still involved in other countries around the world.

We feel nothing but gratitude to Sri Chinmoy , the founder of the World Harmony Run who has inspired the runners as well as all those who were able to coordinate this huge event.

Our gratitude extends also to those who participated in whatever ways they were inspired and able to do. From those who spent many months of their lives involved in this project to those who offered kind words or even a friendly wave in passing, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In closing, I would like to include quotes from two people who knew nothing about our venture, but upon seeing us running with the Torch were deeply moved to send us these very sincere and stirring messages:

“I saw the torch run in Alfred, Maine on Tuesday. I was picking a couple friends up, and we got in the car and found you...We honked a couple of times. It sent chills down my spine to see this torch run! Absolutely AMAZING! I drove by the camper, but it was already gone by the time I drove back by. I would have stopped to thank you if the camper was still there. I can't say enough about this! It's just wonderful!”

~Kelly~

A quote from another one of the hundreds of email messages that were sent to us was:

“Myself and my 5 children saw some of your runners today while driving in beautiful Stoddard, New Hampshire! It was an odd experience to be driving down the road as we normally do and then see something not familiar---torches carried by runners. I blurted out---"look at the torches" but didn't know how to explain it to the children---I didn't want to say it was for the Olympics and be foolish just to give an answer. So I looked you up on the web and now see what you're all about. I am proud to be an American and so much appreciate the rest of the world. I am proud of you all for being a light to the world to show that we all are God's creation and we need to unite and be a light. I'm passing that on to my children today---thanks.”

M.G. N.

This is proof enough to me that what we did in the past four months and what many people in other parts of the world are still doing truly has real meaning and valuable purpose. We hope to remember all the wonderful experiences that were offered to us by all the caring people all along the way and we hope to come out again next year to share many more uplifting and meaningful experiences with you all and with others as well.

Much thanks again to all those who were involved in any way and for all the soul-stirring messages and greetings bestowed upon us everyday,

From the Ever-Grateful World Harmony Runners, U.S.A.

(Arpan, Salil, Atulya, Maria, Linda, Anja, Damon, Svetlana, Sevati, Elke, Homagni, Michael, Morris, Goran, Slava, Jowan, Natabara, Sunabin, Hayden, Lunthita, Prakhara, Archee, Vilupti, Kaspars, Prabhakar, Blazej, Pathik, Erik, Dori, Daulot, Pipasa, Giribar, Joey, Pujari, Josef, Gregor, Yuyudhan, Ethan, Sarah, Anna, Jake and those who carried the Torch for even a moment in the spirit of Harmony)

Epilogue

"and he rested on the seventh day from all his work, which he has made." Genesis 1:2

This is how I felt, when I woke up on the 122nd day of our 4 month long running for harmony—a rearly relaxful feeling came and I could hear all the birds singing in the garden of Archee's house and I could feel the morning freshness of the sunshine coming through the green maple leaves, without remembering where my running shoes are. Maybe it sounds pathetic, but remembering the location of all your belongings before you took off for somewhere is really energy consuming...

Our relay was not so exhausting as God's work in these seven days, but we had things to do in large scale too—we had to cover these 11 000 miles stepping in all the states. We had people to amuse and people to inspire. We had children to entertain and communities to visit with the unique experience of running with the torch.

The torch. To run with the flaming torch is itself beautiful and I remember when I was 10-11 years old I saw on the TV people running for peace with a torch. Through my child eyes that looked very beautiful and noble, because for me the meaning of this world at this age was more vast than lack of weapons and battles, it was the world which people create with their dreams for newness and fulness.

I can not say how grateful I am to all the people who were so receptive to the idea of our project, to all the people who participated in the World Harmony Run, running, singing, drawing, giving water, food or bed to the bunch of runners wandering on the roads of their vast land to energise and awake their hopes for more fulfilling world. Meeting so many people helped me to believe more in their goodness, during the spontainious receptions of the torch by the road. All of them who smiled and passed a glass with liquid, who honked or grabbed the torch to run, who wrote us an e-mail or talked with us. We from our side appreciated their openess, despite their social status or background, allowing them to shine and reveal themselves in the natural act of friendship.

On our last day we were treated amazingly in Archee's house with all kinds of inner and outer luxuries—delicious breakfast, piano concert, the meeting with her artistic mother.

And finally after four months the body machines got a proper treatment by the chiropractor Marc Anderson. Thank you Archee, for all your self-giving support of this run! We are very, very grateful!~

Maria

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