Question: Do you feel that you were influenced in any way by traditional Indian art?

Sri Chinmoy: I have not been influenced in any way by traditional Indian art or by any other kind of art. I am not influenced by anything or anybody. I am never influenced; but I am always inspired by my Inner Pilot. In addition to painting, I have written thousands of poems, I have given talks at many places and I have composed hundreds of songs. But only when I am inspired from deep within do I create. Rather, the best thing is to say that the Divine or the Supreme in me creates and I just become a conscious and devoted instrument.