Bengaluru: On World Meditation Day, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led an unprecedented 8.5 million people worldwide—both online and offline—in a historic meditation event, cementing his name in global record books.
The event, World Meditates with Gurudev, organized by the Art of Living Foundation, shattered records and entered the Guinness World Records, Asia Book of Records, and World Records Union. This milestone marked a new benchmark for collective meditation and global unity.
With participants joining from over 180 countries, the event celebrated the transformative power of meditation. The day’s highlight was Gurudev’s live meditation session, streamed from the iconic World Trade Center in New York. The initiative began with an inaugural event at the United Nations and culminated in a worldwide wave of meditative energy.
Records Broken:
Guinness World Records
- Most viewers of a guided meditation live stream on YouTube
Asia Book of Records
- Maximum participation from all Indian states in a single day
- Most nationalities participate in a day-long guided meditation
World Records Union
- Most views for an online guided meditation in 24 hours on YouTube
- Most live viewers of a guided meditation session on YouTube
- Most nationalities participating in an online meditation session
During the session, Gurudev shared profound insights, stating:
“Meditation is the journey from knowing by thought to feeling what you know. It transitions us from overthinking to inner stillness. To remain sane, sensitive, and sensible in today’s world, meditation is essential. It is not inactivity but the foundation for dynamism and peace. Even revolutionaries need meditation.”
A Global Movement for Inner Peace
The initiative drew praise from global leaders, celebrities, and individuals from all walks of life, including farmers, students, professionals, military personnel, caregivers, researchers, homemakers, indigenous communities, and even prisoners. Educational institutions for visually impaired children and corporate organizations also joined, highlighting meditation’s universal appeal.
The event’s resounding success demonstrated the unifying power of meditation. By bringing millions together for a shared moment of peace, World Meditates with Gurudev not only set records but also inspired a global movement for inner harmony and universal well-being.
