Not Luxury, Necessity: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar At UN Inaugural Of World Meditation Day

NEW YORK, NY(ANI) – Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar highlighted the critical role of meditation during his address at the inaugural World Meditation Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Calling meditation “mental hygiene,” he explained its growing importance in a world grappling with a mental health crisis. “Meditation is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,” he said. “Like dental hygiene, we need mental hygiene. Meditation helps us stay centered and move away from aggression and depression. Our young population faces rising aggression on one side and depression on the other.”

He emphasized that meditation fosters “sensitivity and sensibility,” which he described as essential for a civilized society. “We need to be sensitive towards ourselves, fellow beings, and the environment,” he added. “Meditation makes us more conscious of our surroundings and the emotions of others, steering us away from antisocial behaviors that harm ourselves and others.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also conducted a special meditation session for over 600 enthusiastic participants.

The event was attended by notable figures, including the President of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, and Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare.

The United Nations General Assembly had unanimously declared December 21 as World Meditation Day on December 6, with significant support from India. December 21 marks the Winter Solstice, an auspicious period in Indian tradition associated with Uttarayana, a time for meditation and reflection. It also falls six months after the International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Also Read: UN To Host First Meditation Day With Keynote By Sri Sri Ravishankar