Why World Meditation Day Matters In A Stress-Filled World
The United Nations this year has declared 21 December as World Meditation Day
The General Assembly acknowledged the link between Yoga and meditation as complementary approaches to health and well-being. Of late, globally, mental health has been of a huge concern. In this modern-day stress-filled and anxiety-filled world, an individual’s mental health is getting adversely affected. Be it personal life, professional life, relationships or any other aspect, this modern-day stress and anxiety has seeped in and is now deep-rooted in everyone’s life. Meditation is an ancient eastern practice to still the mind and focus on the present moment. It is an ancient Yogic practice that has also been prescribed in the Vedic and Upanishadic texts as a great spiritual tool. Even though the concept of meditation and the art of stilling the mind and entering into a state of consciousness was originated and propounded in the eastern spiritual philosophy, today, meditation is embraced worldwide, transcending its spiritual origins to become a universal tool for personal well-being and mental health.
Meditation is a practice of stilling the mind and the bombarding thoughts and reaching a state of Consciousness or Mindfulness with focused attention and concentrated thought that results in mental clarity, emotional calmness and physical relaxation. There are diverse types of meditation, each offering unique approaches to achieving calm, clarity and balance of mind and thoughts. Research underscores its ability to reduce stress, improve focus and emotional balance, alleviating anxiety, depression and enhancing sleep quality in an individual. It also contributes to better physical health, including lowering blood pressure and managing pain.
Beyond individual benefits, meditation fosters empathy, collaboration and a sense of shared purpose and collective Consciousness, contributing to collective well-being. Transcending borders, religious philosophies and spiritual connotations, meditation is today, practiced across all regions of the world by people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles as it has proven benefits for all. Meditation is also recognized as a great stress-management and coping mechanism tool to support physical, mental and psychological well-being. Meditation can also be a powerful self-care tool to support treatment and enhance overall well-being, particularly in managing symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. Incorporating mindfulness meditation into one’s daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can help one achieve a sense of calm and focus. This research-backed benefits of meditation is the reason for its inclusion in various corporate programmes for professionals to manage their day-to-day stress and anxiety.
Meditation is increasingly recognized for its contributions to physical and mental health. In times of global challenges today, such as armed conflicts, climate crises and rapid technological advancements, the ancient practice of meditation with outward silence and inner stillness offers a powerful means to cultivate peace, unity and compassion. World Meditation Day in today’s stress-filled and anxiety-filled world reminds us of the importance of nurturing human Consciousness to address these individual as well as global issues and create harmony within ourselves and our communities. By fostering inner peace through meditation, individuals will be able to contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable world for current and future generations.
