The Panorama of My Silence-Heart Café
No matter how crowded, The Panorama of My Silence-Heart Café remains a tranquil place for a dedicated group of customers. Located in Jamaica, Queens, this popular vegetarian café is devoted to creating a peaceful environment for everyone.
The café plays soothing flute music through the day, and a prominent decoration is a framed picture of Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy with his quote, “It is in Eternity’s oneness that immortal joy abides” written underneath.
Chinmoy dedicated his life to promoting both inner peace and world harmony. Born in what is now Bangladesh, he moved to the West in1964 to teach meditation, and he established his first meditation center in Queens, New York. The Panorama of My Silence-Heart Café is located on Parsons Boulevard, just a few blocks from where Chinmoy lived during his time in New York. The restaurant was opened in 2013, and is both owned and operated by meditation students who follow Chinmoy’s teachings.
The café embodies Chinmoy’s ideas on Hinduism, inner peace and world humanity, and his paintings, quotes and books decorate the restaurant’s walls in an effort to teach customers about his own spiritual journey. Indian culture abounds, and a spot in the back of the restaurant lets customers sit and eat on the ground, as is sometimes done in India. The menu, meanwhile, is full of vegetarian and vegan options, including breakfast plates, salads, sandwiches, and veggie burgers. The café is popular for its variety of beverages; customers can pick from a large list of lattes, herbal teas, smoothies, and detox juices.
Vegetarians and healthy eaters often stop by the café to grab a quick bite, but it’s also popular with families in the neighborhood, who comes for full meals. For students, the soothing music and overall calm makes the café a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee and for studying.
Layne Williams is a junior at nearby St. John’s University; she spends a lot of time studying at the café, and has introduced many friends to it.
“I just love the environment,” she said recently. “It’s a true experience when you come here and I love the energy. Plus the black bean burger is super good.”
