During his lifetime, Sri Chinmoy achieve many unique weightlifting feats. In this 2004 interview, Sri Chinmoy explains how his weightlifting serves the world by giving people joy – “we are here on earth to give joy to each other”.

During his weightlifting career (1985-94) Sri Chinmoy performed many remarkable weightlifting feats – lifting people, objects and heavy weights to illustrate the inner power of prayer and meditation. One aspect of his weightlifting – known as “Lifting up the World with a Oneness Heart” – involved honouring countless people for their services to humanity by raising them overhead using a specially designed apparatus – lifting them up in body and spirit.

Camera and edit: Mridanga Spencer