July 8th, Jowan: Photos day 25
more photos here.
July 8, Utpal: Deep in my Heart
“Sometimes I have problems in my knee or maybe in my mind……mostly in my mind.” (laughs)
“I try to dive deep in my heart and take some happiness energy from it. It helps me so much.”
Today is the 25th day of the race and from his results over the past 2 weeks Vasu has been finding all the energy and happiness that he needs. Yesterday he ran his 3rd consecutive day of 70 plus mile. The 1660 miles he has run in the first 24 days of the race would take him from his home in St Petersburg to Omsk. For a man so inspired to transcend himself he has a lot to be grateful for. As of today he is 140 miles ahead of last years pace. Vasu is in 3rd place. He is 79 miles behind Galya and 14 miles ahead of Yuri. 
“I have gotten many letters and my disciple friends have written aphorisms for me written by Sri Chinmoy. Also I have received an article on concentration and meditation. I have tried to use it and it helped me so much.” Vasu says that his meditations have been bringing him much, aspiration and energy. “After that I can easily run.” 
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July 7, Utpal: An Inner Lesson
“What a great day. I am having a soul’s name anniversary.”
5 years ago today, on July 7 2010, both Atmavir and Baladev received their spiritual names. For spiritual seekers receiving a name is perhaps their most precious possession. A way of defining themselves in the outer world with a tangible reminder of an inner identity trying always to come to the fore.
“It was on a day when I was also having some problems like this. I had to stop the race and they took me to see Dr. Kumar and than I came back.” When he arrived one of the race directors handed him an envelop and told him, “you have received a spiritual name.” He stopped for a while to meditate and says, “I was so happy. That I got my name here at the race. For us runners it is a privilege to get it here. Atmavir means hero’s soul. It is he who has a mighty soul and will attain the absolute.” He says that he chants his name often when he runs. “It helps me a lot.” 
