New Guinness World Record: World's largest crayon
In honour of Sri Chinmoy’s 86th birthday celebrations, Ashrita Furman and a team of volunteers set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest crayon. The giant crayon is 5.22 m with a diameter of 56 cm.

Speaking of the inspiration for this new Guinness World record, Ashrita stated:
“Our teacher came from India to inspire joy in other people. He created thousands of soul bird drawings with crayons in various colours to convey the joy experienced in meditation to others. With tremendous gratitude we are honouring what would be Sri Chinmoy’s 86th birthday with the world's largest crayon.”

Ashrita, manager of a Health Food Store in Queens, New York, holds more than 190 Guinness World records and says the power of meditation and Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of self-transcendence help enable this unique collection of records.

Sri Chinmoy was born 27 August 1931, and many of his students from around the world come to Queens every August to partake in his birthday celebrations. Amongst other activities, Sri Chinmoy was a prolific artist drawing, in his lifetime, nearly 16 million soul bird drawings - a unique style of art which reflect the soul’s aspiration and inner freedom.

Soul-Bird drawing by Sri Chinmoy.
Photo credit: Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.
Stories
First-hand experiences of meditation and spirituality.
I just knew from the moment I saw him
Ashrita Furman New York, United States
'I could find out myself, but it was so much easier asking your soul'
Mridanga Spencer Ipswich, United Kingdom
Breaking the world record for the longest game of hopscotch
Pipasa Glass & Jamini Young Seattle, United States
Reflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
A Quest for Happiness
Abhinabha Tangerman Amsterdam, Netherlands
'When you perform for me, always choose devotional songs.'
Gunthita Corda Zurich, Switzerland
Learning to love songs ever more
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
My first Guru
Adarini Inkei Geneva, Switzerland
A New World
Apaga Renner Graz, Austria
A 40-Year Blessing
Sarama Minoli New York, United StatesHow sports and fitness became part of our spiritual life
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
Running and Me
Garga Chamberlain Bristol, United Kingdom
Celestial experiences
Antaranga Gressenich Munich, GermanySuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students
Sri Chinmoy's vision of the Peace Run
Harita Davies New York, United States
'Everyone is feeling nothing but love'
Suren Leosson Reykjavik, Iceland
My well-scheduled day
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
How I got my spiritual name
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
A direct line to God
Vajra Henderson New York, United States