New York: The United Nations Headquarters witnessed a unique convergence of ancient wisdom and contemporary diplomacy as member states and UN agencies observed the second World Meditation Day. The event, titled Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony, underscored the growing global recognition of meditation as a vital tool for promoting mental well-being, social cohesion, and peaceful leadership in an increasingly fractured world.
Permanent Representatives and diplomats from India, Sri Lanka, Andorra, Mexico, and Nepal, along with officials from various UN agencies, participated in the observance, highlighting meditation’s relevance in addressing modern challenges ranging from geopolitical tensions and social discord to mental health crises. The centrepiece of the programme was the keynote address and guided meditation led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose presence brought India’s ancient meditative traditions into the heart of the world’s foremost multilateral institution.
In his address, Gurudev emphasised inner peace as the foundation for sustainable global peace, stressing that calm and clarity of mind are essential qualities for effective leadership and conflict resolution. His message resonated strongly with the diplomatic audience, many of whom reflected on the need for introspection and emotional balance in international decision-making.
Speakers from different regions echoed similar sentiments. Andorra’s Ambassador Joan Forner Rovira spoke about the successful integration of meditation into his country’s education system, citing measurable improvements in students’ concentration, emotional regulation and overall well-being. Mexico’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Alicia Guadalupe Buenrostro Massieu, highlighted the link between inner harmony and lasting global peace, noting that external solutions often fail without internal balance. Nepal’s Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa traced meditation’s deep civilisational roots in the Himalayan region and pointed to its relevance in navigating interconnected global crises such as climate change, misinformation, and social polarisation.
The event also brought together prominent spiritual leaders, academic,s and scientists, including representatives from the Brahma Kumaris, Maharishi International University, the Yogmata Foundation, the Transcendental Meditation Movement and leading global peace initiatives, reinforcing meditation’s cross-cultural and interdisciplinary appeal.
The programme concluded with Gurudev leading ambassadors and delegates in a 20-minute guided meditation, creating a rare moment of collective stillness within the UN Headquarters. The observance comes ahead of World Meditation Day on 21 December, which is set to see global participation. Signalling the movement’s growing scale, New York’s Times Square recently displayed billboards proclaiming “World Meditates with Gurudev,” as millions worldwide prepare to join the meditation live from across the globe.
