‘Meditation a necessity today, not luxury’: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses United Nations on first World Meditation Day
The speech reflected the need for our youth to embrace meditation to center themselves, get rid of daily stress and manage negative emotions in a healthy manner.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses the UN in New York. (Source: PR Handout) Rooted in ancient traditions, meditation has emerged as a powerful tool for inner transformation in today’s fast-paced world. On December 21, the United Nations General Assembly marked the first-ever World Meditation Day, a timely initiative in an era rife with global tensions and conflicts. To commemorate the occasion, the Permanent Mission of India hosted an event at the UN headquarters in New York, featuring Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a renowned spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation.
Addressing diplomats and members of the UN, Ravi Shankar spoke passionately about the transformative impact of meditation.
“Today, meditation is not a luxury but a necessity. I would call it mental hygiene, like you have dental hygiene. Meditation helps us center ourselves, moving away from aggression and depression. The mental health crisis has taken a big toll on our population. It brings us sensitivity and sensibility at the same time – two important factors of any civilised society,” he said in his speech. He also spoke about the importance of being sensitive towards our own selves and our fellow beings and the environment, as it keeps us away from anti-social activities and self-harm.
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