Ashrita Furman
meditation in New York
A self-described record-breaker, Ashrita Furman has committed 40 years to break Guinness World Records. Since setting his first record of 27,000 jumping jacks in 1979, the native New Yorker has gone on to break over 600 official Guinness Records and currently holds more than 191 records. Whether it’s yodeling or somersaulting, he finds joy in practicing the sometimes-childlike activities and realizing the progress of achieving a once daunting task.
Not only is he the record holder of breaking the most Guinness World Records, but he’s actively setting records in new areas. From pioneering the sport of underwater juggling to creating the world’s largest graphite pencil at 76 feet long, his success is not limited to the pages of the infamous record book.
Furman credits his meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy, for the remarkable endurance and strength he has realized. Furman continues to break records because it provides tremendous fulfillment and gives him the opportunity to inspire others. The practices he learned from the spiritual teacher have led him to share basic instruction to beginning and maintaining a meditation practice. He talks about the power of meditation and aims to help people reach their potential as the benefits can be beyond imagination.
Like most children in the 1960’s, Furman was intrigued by the annual Guinness World Records book. At 20 years old, Furman developed an understanding of meditation, and it forever changed his life. Encouraged by his meditation teacher, Furman participated in a 24-hour bicycle race in New York’s Central Park. Chinmoy’s philosophy declares if you connect with your soul and are receptive to a higher Grace, you can accomplish anything. Furman used meditation techniques such as visualization, breathing, and chanting to help him throughout the race.
Elsewhere on the net:
https://www.srichinmoyraces.org/
https://3100.srichinmoyraces.org/sri-chinmoy
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sri-chinmoy-397043.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ2TSJfR2Rk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iLmuIsGttI