On World Meditation Day, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led a transformative meditation session that brought together more than 8.5 million people worldwide, both online and offline. The event, “World Meditates with Gurudev,” not only broke several records but also made history by setting a new benchmark for collective meditation, earning recognition from Guinness World Records, the Asia Book of Records, and the World Records Union.
A Momentous Occasion for Global Unity
The inaugural World Meditation Day on 21st December 2024 was an extraordinary celebration of unity, inner peace, and global harmony. Participants tuned in from over 180 countries, marking a moment of unprecedented global meditation. The event kicked off with an inaugural session at the United Nations and culminated in a live meditation led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from the top of the World Trade Center in New York City. This live session was streamed globally, with millions joining virtually and in large groups across various locations to meditate for a peaceful world.
Record-Breaking Achievements
The World Meditates with Gurudev event broke several records, showcasing the worldwide appeal and transformative power of collective meditation:
- Guinness World Record: The most viewers of a guided meditation live stream on YouTube.
- Asia Book of Records:
- Maximum participation from all States of India in a guided meditation session.
- The highest number of nationalities participating in a guided meditation session.
- World Records Union:
- The most views for an online guided meditation in 24 hours on YouTube.
- The most live viewers of a guided meditation session on YouTube.
- The highest number of nationalities participating in an online meditation session.
This event has proved the global impact of meditation as a tool for peace, mental well-being, and collective unity.
The Power of Meditation for Peace and Harmony
Before guiding millions into meditation, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explained the essence of meditation: “Meditation is the journey from knowing by thought to feeling what you know. To meditate, you need to first go from too much thinking to feeling what is. And then go beyond the feeling towards the inner space. If you want to be sane, sensitive, and sensible, you need to meditate. Meditation is not inactivity. It makes you more dynamic and peaceful. Even to be a revolutionary, you need to meditate.”
This simple yet profound explanation encapsulates the transformative power of meditation, not just for individual peace, but for global harmony.
Global Participation and Wide Recognition
The Art of Living Foundation’s World Meditation Day initiative has received widespread acclaim from global leaders, celebrities, athletes, corporates, and individuals from all walks of life. People from various sectors—including farmers, educators, healthcare workers, and even prison inmates—joined in, showcasing meditation’s universal appeal. This mass participation illustrates the far-reaching impact of meditation in fostering peace, unity, and personal transformation.
Inspiring a Global Movement for Inner Peace
The resounding success of World Meditates with Gurudev demonstrates the collective power of meditation in bringing people together for a higher cause. The monumental efforts by the Art of Living Foundation have not only set world records but also ignited a global movement aimed at inner peace, universal harmony, and positive social change.
As the world unites through collective meditation, this event serves as a powerful reminder of the shared human connection that transcends borders, cultures, and religions. The ripple effects of this movement will continue to inspire millions toward a more peaceful and harmonious world.
