World Marks First-Ever Meditation Day on 21st December 2024

The world will celebrate the first-ever World Meditation Day on 21st December 2024. This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 29th November 2024, marking an important step in recognizing meditation’s benefits for health, peace, and unity.

India led the celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Permanent Mission of India hosted a special event featuring a global meditation session. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a well-known Indian spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, guided the session. The event, themed "Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony," encouraged people worldwide to embrace meditation for mental well-being and world peace.

Meditation is an ancient practice that involves focusing attention on the present moment. It has been practiced for thousands of years in various religious, yogic, and cultural traditions. Today, meditation is widely used for mental and physical health, beyond its spiritual roots.

The United Nations defines meditation as a technique that trains the mind to achieve calmness, clarity, and relaxation. It includes practices like mindfulness, focused breathing, and concentration. There are many types of meditation, each offering unique ways to feel balanced and peaceful. In India consistency in wellness habits, The habit-building wellness platform, Habuild set a new World Record by hosting the largest virtual meditation session with 2,87,711 people joined Habuild in this remarkable event, meditating together.

Research shows meditation helps reduce stress, improve focus, and bring emotional balance. It can also lower anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and support better physical health, such as lowering blood pressure and managing pain.

Beyond personal benefits, meditation fosters empathy, teamwork, and a sense of shared purpose. This builds stronger communities and contributes to a more peaceful world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted meditation's benefits, especially mindfulness meditation. It helps manage stress, boosts mental well-being, and supports healthier lives.

World Meditation Day reminds us of the power of meditation to bring calm and balance in today’s fast-paced world. It’s a practice for everyone—regardless of age, background, or lifestyle—and connects people across cultures.

By dedicating this day to meditation, the United Nations hopes to inspire individuals and communities to take steps toward inner peace and global harmony. Meditation is not just a personal tool; it’s a way to unite people and create a better world.

As the world celebrates this historic event, let’s pause, meditate, and join the movement for peace and well-being. World Meditation Day is a chance to come together and embrace a practice that can transform lives, societies, and the planet.