The United Nations marked the inaugural World Meditation Day on Saturday, 21 December, with a special session at its New York headquarters.
The event, themed “Meditation for Global Peace & Harmony,” was organised by the Permanent Mission of India and featured Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as the keynote speaker.
Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, praised the initiative, stating, “World Meditation Day highlighted the benefits of this ancient practice and its value in our daily lives.”
Addressing a distinguished audience of diplomats, UN officials, and dignitaries, Gurudev emphasised the transformative power of meditation.
“This recognition by the UN was a welcome step, as meditation transcends religion and offered solutions to modern challenges. It fostered health, harmony, and positivity, helping humanity overcome depression, aggression, and stress.”
Meditation, an ancient practice rooted in diverse traditions, has evolved into a universal tool for mental and physical well-being. Research has underscored its benefits, from reducing stress and improving focus to enhancing emotional balance and sleep quality. As Gurudev noted,
“Mindfulness is a byproduct of meditation. Focus comes to you naturally. You will feel good from inside. There will be a lot of enthusiasm and positivity that will come up. The mental challenges we face can all be handled through meditation.”
The day reflected the UN’s commitment to promoting health and well-being, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: “Good Health and Well-Being.” Meditation’s ability to cultivate peace and unity was highlighted as a powerful tool in addressing global challenges, from conflict to climate crises.
World Meditation Day served as a reminder of the role individuals could play in fostering collective harmony. As Gurudev urged,
“Let us meditate together for at least 20 minutes and create more positivity, productivity, and happiness worldwide.”
India, along with Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra, played a key role in the unanimous adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 21 December as World Meditation Day.
This initiative highlights the transformative power of meditation in addressing contemporary challenges like mental health issues, stress, and global tensions. Rooted in ancient practices, meditation is celebrated for its ability to foster inner peace, emotional balance, and holistic well-being, offering a vital refuge in today’s high-stress, conflict-ridden world.
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