Liberty torch Bicentennial Run1
O divine runners, you are the harbingers of America’s new dawn, America’s new promise, America’s new conviction and America’s new assurance to the world body. Two hundred years ago America received, nay achieved, independence from human bondage. This was not only the freedom of American consciousness but the freedom of all human consciousness to strive for a higher life, a more illumining soul and a more fulfilling goal.Two hundred years ago the world body observed the freedom of the American body. Two hundred years later the world audience again observes America’s freedom. In the past, it was observed with tremendous surprise. Now it is observed with tremendous gratitude. Each nation has committed blunders; there is no nation which has not. But the American consciousness is serving mankind consciously, devotedly and unreservedly. America still remains unparalleled in history as a new awakening, a new revelation and a new manifestation.
When we use our outer vision, we see that thirteen runners are observing this bicentennial historical event. But when we use our inner vision, we see that these runners are runners of a new dawn, beckoning America’s body, vital, mind and heart to run fast, faster, fastest towards a goal which others call unknowable. These divine runners call that goal unknown, but tomorrow it will not only be known but it will be a day-to-day reality for Americans, and not for Americans alone, but for the entire world. Today's goal seems unknowable, but tomorrow it will be known and utilised for the betterment of the new world.
In silence I bless each of you, my sweet children. You are not only honouring your country but also you are leading your country to a higher, more illumining goal. The soul of America is blessing you with her transcendental Pride. The soul of the world is blessing you with her universal Love and her immortal Life. You will live in the very Heart of the Supreme, who is humanity’s cry, divinity’s smile and Eternity’s Pilot.
AUM 1665. On Friday, 9 January 1976, thirteen dedicated boys from the East Coast Sri Chinmoy Centres began a three-day non-stop relay run from New York to Washington, D. C. in honour of the nation's Bicentennial. The participants ran in five-mile relays, carrying a flaming torch which was passed from runner to runner as the relays changed. The 360-mile route was mapped out to pass by many historic sites of the Revolutionary era. At eight o'clock in the morning on 9 January the runners assembled at Sri Chinmoy's home to receive his blessing and final words of encouragement. This is Sri Chinmoy's message to the runners.↩
