Shri Shri Ravi Shankar leads world leaders at the UN in Meditation

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United Nations – “Today, Meditation is not a luxury. But it is a necessity,” said Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living to world leaders at the United Nations headquarters on the eve of the Winter Solstice at the first commemoration of the International Day of Meditation.

Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, the celebration in the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber was attended by Permanent Representatives of the Core group of India, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico and Andorra which had proposed the resolution for the International Day of Meditation adopted by the UN General Assembly earlier on December 6, 2024.

It was also attended by SS Ravi Shankar who was the keynote speaker, the President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang, the Under Secretary General Atul Khare, and members of the nations which had supported the resolution.

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Ravi Shankar said Meditation would help deal with the mental health crisis which has taken a big toll on our population by keeping us away from activities which would harm ourselves and others. Meditation is a necessity today, he emphasized.

“I would call it mental hygiene which can help us be more centered, away from aggression and depression,” said Ravi Shankar. The younger population which is facing aggression and depression can become centered through meditation, he said.

“I urge all the nations here to put a little more attention in peace education. Let us educate our young people how to relax, how to get rid of tensions on a daily basis, how to manage their negative emotions and be centered,” he said.

One of the most important benefits of Meditation is that it brings sensibility and sensitivity at the same time, Ravi Shankar said. Today, it is important that we are sensitive towards not just ourselves, but also towards our fellow beings, and towards the environment, he said. We need to be conscious about the feelings of people around us, he said.

“There was a time when people used to go away in search of Meditation, in search of Enlightenment to the mountains to the seashore. Today, Meditation has to go to every door, every home,” he emphasized.

Meditation is easy and is for everyone, Ravi Shankar said.  “Meditation transcends all religions, geographical boundaries and age. It helps combat anxiety, fear and loneliness. Meditation makes us resilient and powerful and brings mental clarity,” Ravi Shankar said.

Meditation has to be effortless, Ravi Shankar said, dispelling the general fear that it requires great effort. Anything that requires a lot of effort cannot be relaxing. Also Meditation should not be tried immediately after a meal, he cautioned.

He then led those present through the basic steps of Meditation.

General Assembly President Philemon Yang said Meditation is a universal practice, not related to any religion or any country.

“In its silence, Meditation speaks a universal truth. That we are all human, all seeking balance and all striving for a better understanding of our inner self and the world in which we live,” Yang said.

Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare said the UN has introduced an app in 16 languages which includes Meditation as a method to help meet the mental health needs of the UN Peacekeepers.

India’s Permanent Representative, P. Harish said the ancient Indian Yogic tradition of Meditation “holds the key to achieve inner calm and attain harmony between mind and body, thought and action, humanity and the external world.”

And it was also based in India’s ancient principle that the whole world is one, he said.

“India’s leadership in overall human well-being stems from our civilizational dictum of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the whole world is one family”, he added.

The International Day of Meditation falling on the Winter Solstice, or ‘Uttarayana’ was significant as it is considered an auspicious time in India, a time for inner reflection, he said.

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