UN Declares World Meditation Day

By Mira Pawar.

To raise awareness about mediation and its benefits, the UN has declared 21 December as World Meditation Day. Shri Shri Ravi Shankar also known as Gurudev by the followers, will be presiding over the First World Mediation on 21 December, in New York (9.30 AM EST; 8.00 PM IST; 2.30 PM GMT). Followers present in New York, will have the privilege to meditate in the presence of Gurudev. He will appear online also for the followers in other countries to join in. There is no need to have any previous experience to join the meditation, so the first timers can also avail the opportunity and experience the relaxation and energy that meditation provides.

The Art of Living was founded by Shri Shri Ravi Shankar in 1981 and as of now, the foundation has centres in 180 countries and 500 million followers. In times of global challenges, such as armed conflicts, climate crises and rapid technological advancement, meditation offers a powerful means to cultivate peace, unity and compassion. It reminds us of the importance of nurturing human consciousness to address these issues and create harmony within ourselves and the community. By fostering inner peace through meditation, individuals contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable world for the present and future generation.

Meditation is known for its contributions to mental health. Besides individual benefits, meditation fosters empathy, collaboration and a sense of shared purpose thus adding to collective well-being. The most acknowledged definition of meditation describes it as a practice where an individual uses technique such as mindfulness, focused attention or concentrated thought to train the mind and achieve a state of mental clarity, emotional calmness and physical relaxation.

Meditation is not a religion but it can help to deepen your faith and make you more centered in whichever religion you practice. According to science meditation helps to release stress, it is a natural antidepressant and builds immunity.