The Persons of Heart
 Two Secretary-Generals, two Visionaries, two spiritual Seekers 
Representing spiritual and political, action-oriented values; Symbols of we aspire to become. 
Sri Chinmoy in 1977 refered Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant as spiritual giants.
Speaking on leadership, he said at the UN,"He who leads in the heart is the real leader 
 This leadership is the recognition  of one's inseparable oneness with the rest of humanity.". 
 U Thant was known for his poise In the most trying of circumstances. 
In the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Secretary-General went to Cuba
                to try to exercise his good offices to bring about a favorable solution. 
He wrote: "l got up at six-thirty  and tried to meditate, as usual. 
         I sat up on bed and closed my eyes,     but my mind wandered. 
        Scenes of the United States destroyer off the Cuban coast, 
              the Cuban anti-aircraft emplacements,    an unsmiling Castro,  
              a nervous Soviet ambassador      and a youthful missile General 
                             flitted across my mind's eye. 
It was difficult to shut off my senses, even for a brief moment, and feel inner peace.
      In any case, I managed to practice "metta" (good will) 
                             and "karuna" (compassion) to all.,,4/
 During the succession  in the Congo,       a period when the Secretary-General   
        received criticism from all sides,
       "As a Buddhist, I abhor all forms of violence; the feeling is embedded in my inner Self. 
           Since Security Council meeting of November 24, 1961, 
                authorizing me to use a requisite measure of force in the Congo,                
                   to evict foreign mercenaries,         my conscience has been pricking me. 
Any news of violent death, whether of a Congolese, a united Nations soldier,
                  or a foreign mercenary, saddened me deeply. 
Every morning I prayed for the sparing of lives. I realized, however, 
                    that the moral principles of my religion had to be adjusted 
                          to the practical responsibilities of my Office. 
I had to view the United Nations operation in the Congo as a battle for peace, not as a war; 
 to me, war... all war is folly and insanity. I regarded the UN soldiers as soldiers of peace. 
On U Thant's retirement.the Chairman of the Staff Committee, said
      'You are as much at home    with a group of visiting children  as with the Head of State,   
              and you treat both with equal courtesy and careful attention ... 
 I cannot claim to know much about Buddhism,  but I hope you will permit me to say,     
                  with the greatest sincerity,     that your conduct,   your example and
            your personal life       are a tribute to that great religion and philosophy. ' 

U Thant, spontaneously in reply, after mentioning physical and intellectual qualities said: 
' . .. above all, I would attach the greatest importance to spiritual values, spiritual qualities 
..              . I have in mind ...faith in oneself,   the purity of one's inner self 
         which to me is the greatest virtue of all.    With this approach,  
          with this philosophy,  with this concept alone,  we will be able to fashion 
         the kind of society we want, the kind of society ...envisaged (by the UN founders),6/ 7.

 Dag Hammarskjold proceeded U Thant as Secretary-General, 
        and was admired throughout the world for his intellegence and principled actions. 
The publishing of his Markings brought a part of his inner life into the public view.        
                   It shockrd some of his politicl contempories and admirers
He demonstated humility and surrender of results of actions. he said" I inherited a belief 
 that no life was more satisfactory than one of selfless service to your country-- or humanity.
  This service required a sacrifice of all personal interests, but likewise the courage to stand up 
    unflinchingly for your convictions concerning what was right and good 
           for the community,  whatever were the views in fashion ... .
.how (to) live a life of ...service in full harmony ...as a member of the community of the spirit, 
  I have found in the writings of those great medieval mystics on...way ot Self realization
          who in "singleness of mind" and "inwardness" had found strength 
             to say yes to every demand, which the needs of their neighbors made them face, 
yes also to every fate life had in store for them when they followed the call of duty, 
              ...love found natural expressions in an ... unreserved acceptance of life, 
                 whatever it brought them personally of toil, suffering -- or happiness. "7/ 
 He wrote: " Simplicity is to see, judge and act from the point of rest in ourselves. 
                 Then, how much disappears! And how everything else falls into place! ..... 
 we encounter a world were ... a tree becomes a mystery, a cloud a revelation, 
             each man a cosmos of whose riches we can only catch glimpses . 
For the simple,  life is simple,  but it opens a book   in which we never get beyond 
   the first syllable.,,9 /  "There is no grammar for the language of the inner life .. "
Brian. Urquhart describes as, " a member of that small and lonely band 
   who throughout history have engaged      at the same time in trying 
     to deal with the hard world      of political and social reality 
and in searching endlessly    for a spiritual meaning     which transcends the world . 

Those who are now peace-dreamers and God-Lovers   were definetly born 
      with God-aspiration-flames deep within.  - CKG MMS-B Prayers part 14 page97 
Hammarskjold, U Thant and Sri Chinmoy. all came from very dfferent backgrounds
- U Thant was a devout Buddhist and his calmness and personal warmth was noted by many 
- Dag Hammarskjold from a Christian background, is remembered for high ideals & work 
    to establish a true feeling of "service" and   excellence in the UN Secretariat. 
- Sri Chinmoy,raised in the Hindu tradition, encourages us to go deep into 
         our own spiritual nature to discover Truth. 
By his non-denominational meditations and other activities of the Peace Meditatin group 
     at the UN...he reminds all of the blessing to be able support and  to serve the vision 
             of the United Nations,
This vision.    beloved by Uthant, Dag Hammaskjold. and  you.
                peace dreamers with aspiration flames deep within.