Dharbhasana Lynn was born in Hamilton, New Zealand, and now lives in Auckland. He learned how to meditate thirteen years ago and is a member of the New Zealand Sri Chinmoy Centre. In conjunction with the development of his meditation and following the teachings of his meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy, Dharbhasana took up the challenge of running a few miles each day for his physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. He found that running offered many benefits and, as time passed, he began running longer distances - 10 km races and then marathons. Eventually Dharbhasana ran in a 47 mile race to honour Sri Chinmoy's arrival in the West in 1964. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dharbhasana then set his sights on multi-day events, competing in six and ten day races.

Dharbhasana would be the first to say that these races were not easy, but he also felt that he gained much from the experiences of running for several days on end. "You really have to develop a feeling for the bigger picture of yourself during these multi-day races." he said. "We tend to judge ourselves by our limitations and not by our greater potentiality. Multi-day running has taught me a lot about myself and how it is possible break free from limiting self-perceptions. And this is where meditation is so helpful. Sri Chinmoy has taught us to meditate and live life in the spiritual heart In order for me to run beyond all that was trying to stop me physically and mentally, I had to learn to take myself into that heart-space in order to keep moving forward. As I developed the capacity to do this, I found that I was able to move past the things that were standing in my way - to literally run through pains and worries and to find greater capacities in my deeper nature. I have to say also, that being around Sri Chinmoy for a few years helped too. He was a wonderful role model in this way - always moving, always creating and always trying new things. He found a higher expression in everything he did and was continuously transcending his own boundaries - right up until his passing in 2007. It was wonderful to witness that and made me wonder how I could apply that ideal to my own life. My efforts at self-transcendence definitely finds expression through my running but I also through other aspects of my life - family, friendships, business and everyday living."

A year or so back, Dharbhasana set his sights on the worlds longest calibrated footrace - the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race. Run around a 800 metre residential block in Queens, New York, the 3100 mile race has a cutoff of 52 days. The runners generally run from 6 am to 12 pm each day, living life on their feet in order to make some 60+ miles-a-day to complete the distance in time. It sounds easy but there are many challenges along the way. This years race was Dharbhasana's first attempt and despite sever heat waves and physical problems that reduced his daily totals to 40 miles on his worst day, he rallied to post some of the best overall daily mileage's toward the end of the race.

This is an interview with Dharbhasana on New Zealand's national Radio Sport show:

And this video clip appeared on the ABC News network in America:

Our congratulations extend to Dharbhasana for his sincere and cheerful efforts. He became known for his constant smile, enduring enthusiasm and stoic resolve throughout the race. Dharbhasana's wife Nandana was also in New York to help him and to serve the race through her cooking skills. Their young daughter Shakti also spent her days trackside and brought an element of joy and energy to the race as well. All in all, it was a classic Kiwi affaire de cœur...

More images of the finish can be viewed here: Day 52 - Dharbasana Completes 3100. And our New York based friend, Utpal Marshall, has been keeping an account of the 3100 mile race on his blog, Perfection Journey. He had these insightful words to say regarding Dharbhasana's race:

"Today Dharbhasana will defy both his skeptics and his own self doubt. He will prove that, as powerful as pain and injury are, the heart is infinitely stronger. The sweet inspiration that whispered softly to him to come and challenge impossibility will now roar in delight that he has found victory by simply letting victory itself carry him there."

And to end, these elevating words from Sri Chinmoy:

Who Is The Winner?

Who is the winner? Not he who wins but he who has established his cheerful oneness with the result, which is an experience in the form of failure or success, a journey forward or a journey backward.

Who is the winner? Not he who wins the race but he who loves to run sleeplessly and breathlessly with God the Supreme Runner.

Who is the winner? Not he whose glory we sing but he who embodies God's Compassion-Light in abundant measure.

Who is the winner? Not he who has acquired tremendous name and fame and amassed a big fortune but he who requires only one thing: God-Satisfaction in God's own Way.

~ Sri Chinmoy.

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