A Special Report on India’s Spiritual Gift to the World
Today is World Meditation Day, being celebrated across the globe. The fact that the United Nations has recognized its importance and declared December 21 as World Meditation Day is yet another accomplishment reflecting India’s timeless ethos, civilisation and culture. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relentless and successful global campaign that led the UN to declare International Yoga Day, this is yet another feather added to India’s cap, where the world today is acknowledging the role of meditation to live better, happier and healthier lives. This Indian practice is extremely relevant in a world that is dealing with a mental health pandemic on a global scale, and once again the answer has emerged from India. And in this, it is the global spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who truly deserves accolades for carrying forward India’s ancient spiritual practices to the world—practices that, many believe, hold answers to humanity’s deepest crises. To commemorate this historic achievement, we present this comprehensive Special Report for the benefit of readers and for Indians to take rightful pride in. — Editor
MS Shanker
For centuries, meditation was perceived as a lofty, inaccessible pursuit—reserved for ascetics, monks, or secluded spiritual communities. In modern times, it even risked being hijacked by esoteric interpretations that distanced themselves from the common masses. Gurudev played an unprecedented role in liberating meditation from this narrow perception and restoring it to its original purpose: a simple, experiential, and universal practice meant for every human being.
Rooted deeply in ancient Vedic wisdom, meditation under Gurudev’s guidance became global, inclusive, and practical. What was once seen as abstract or mystical gradually transformed into a daily life tool for stress relief, emotional balance, and inner clarity. This worldwide acceptance culminated in the United Nations formally acknowledging meditation’s relevance to modern life by declaring December 21 as World Meditation Day—an extraordinary recognition of India’s spiritual heritage on a global platform.
From ‘Taboo’ to the United Nations
Gurudev himself has often recalled how, just a few decades ago, when he travelled across continents teaching meditation and yoga, many dismissed these practices as “weird,” “taboo,” or incompatible with modern lifestyles. Meditation was misunderstood, sometimes even ridiculed.
That perception has dramatically changed. On the first-ever World Meditation Day, Gurudev became the first spiritual leader to address the United Nations, symbolising a profound global shift—from skepticism to acceptance, from dismissal to endorsement.
Today, meditation is no longer viewed as a fringe practice but as a vital component of mental health, emotional resilience, and societal harmony.
Reaching 180 Countries, Touching 800 Million Lives
Few individuals in modern history have influenced human well-being on such a vast scale. Gurudev has taken meditation to over 180 countries, impacting more than 800 million people worldwide and counting. His work transcends religion, nationality, race, geography, and belief systems.
From urban corporate boardrooms to rural villages, from prison inmates to youth and women, from farmers to intellectuals—millions have experienced tangible benefits through meditation and breathing practices taught under his guidance. Stress relief, emotional stability, and inner peace are no longer abstract ideals but lived experiences for people across the globe.
Leading the Largest Meditation Gathering in History
On December 21, Gurudev will lead what is expected to be the largest meditation gathering ever, uniting millions of people worldwide in a collective experience of inner peace and global harmony.
This historic event will be broadcast globally, bringing together people from all walks of life with a shared intention—to pause, reflect, and reconnect within. Iconic global landmarks will host meditation gatherings, including Times Square in New York, United Nations, embassies across the world.
At exactly 8.30 PM, participants across continents will meditate together. The event will also be streamed live on Gurudev’s official YouTube channel, allowing millions more to participate virtually.
Meditation Amid a Global Mental Health Pandemic
The world today faces a silent yet devastating crisis—mental health disorders. With reports indicating that one person commits suicide every 45 seconds globally due to poor mental health, the urgency for effective, accessible solutions has never been greater.
Gurudev has consistently highlighted meditation as a practical and preventative tool in addressing this crisis. Over the years, he has engaged with physicians, corporate leaders, blue-collar workers, farmers, youth, women, and prison inmates—offering them simple yet powerful techniques to break cycles of depression, anxiety, aggression, and hopelessness.
In an era dominated by medication-heavy interventions, his approach has provided hope for non-invasive, self-empowering methods of healing and resilience.
Meditation in Conflict Zones: Peace Begins Within
Beyond personal well-being, Gurudev has applied meditation as a transformative force in conflict resolution. He often emphasizes a simple yet profound truth: “Outer peace in society is impossible without inner peace in individuals.”
Living by this principle, Gurudev has carried meditation and breathing practices into some of the world’s most volatile regions—from Kosovo to Kashmir, Colombia to Lebanon, and within India, from the Northeast to Bihar.
These efforts have yielded remarkable outcomes. Meditation programs have benefited genocide-affected Yezidi communities in Syria, eased inter-communal tensions in Iraq, and even contributed to stopping gang wars in the Ivory Coast.
During peace-building efforts between the Colombian government and former FARC guerrillas, Gurudev is known to have guided ex-combatants through mediation sessions that brought clarity, emotional healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Healing Trauma: Stories from the Ground
The impact of meditation is perhaps most powerful in personal stories. One such story is that of Ibrahim, a child who witnessed unimaginable violence when ISIS militants killed two of his brothers while he was playing in his backyard.
Though Ibrahim escaped, the trauma haunted him—leaving him sleepless, fearful, and emotionally scarred. Art of Living teachers working in the conflict zone provided care and taught him specific meditation techniques to manage traumatic memories.
“These ten-minute meditations here are worth a night’s sleep because I am finally able to rest,” Ibrahim told his teacher—an understated yet profound testament to meditation’s healing power.
How It All Began: The Birth of Sudarshan Kriya
The journey began in the summer of 1982, when Gurudev entered a 10-day silence in Shimoga. During this period, he cognized Sudarshan Kriya (SKY)—a rhythmic breathing and meditation technique that would later be practised by over 500 million people worldwide.
Gurudev describes the experience as ancient wisdom resurfacing like poetry—something timeless that had been lost to history. Sudarshan Kriya became the centerpiece of his programs across 180 countries.
The very first participants—engineers and doctors—reported feeling deeply rested, energized, and calm in ways they had never experienced before.
Science Meets Spirituality
Gurudev stands out as one of the rare spiritual masters who successfully bridged traditional wisdom with modern science. He actively encouraged rigorous scientific research into meditation’s benefits.
Studies conducted by NIMHANS found that the techniques cognized by Gurudev were as effective in treating depression as the established antidepressant imipramine. Meanwhile, AIIMS, Delhi reported significant reductions in serum cortisol levels, a key indicator of stress, among participants.
In a country where over 20 crore people suffer from depression, these findings offer strong hope—especially for non-invasive, cost-effective approaches to mental health.
A Global Recognition of India’s Inner Science
World Meditation Day is not merely a symbolic observance. It is global recognition of India’s ancient inner sciences and their relevance to modern humanity. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s lifelong work has ensured that meditation is no longer confined to scriptures or retreat centres but embedded into everyday life across continents.
As the world pauses to meditate together, it reflects a growing realization: that inner peace is not a luxury, but a necessity—and that India’s spiritual wisdom continues to light the way forward for humanity.
