Meditation key to global peace, says Vice President at international conference

Meditation is essential for building a peaceful and prosperous world, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Sunday while addressing the Global Conference of Meditation Leaders at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

The three-day conference brought together spiritual leaders, policymakers, scholars, doctors and researchers from across the world to discuss the role of meditation in fostering peace, balance and holistic living.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Radhakrishnan said the world is witnessing rising conflicts not only between nations but also within families and societies. He attributed these tensions to ego, intolerance and the inability to listen, stressing that meditation can serve as an effective tool to restore balance and harmony.

He noted that regular meditation helps individuals develop self-reflection, patience and improved decision-making, while also reducing stress and promoting mental clarity.

“In today’s fast-paced world, people are often running rather than truly living,” he said, adding that meditation offers an opportunity to pause, introspect and understand the deeper purpose of life.

The Vice President also highlighted the role of meditation in guiding youth away from social evils such as drug abuse, stating that it strengthens mental discipline and fosters a positive outlook.

Speaking at the event, DR Kaarthikeyan, former Director of the CBI and former Director General of the CRPF, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting yoga globally. He noted that the United Nations’ declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2015 significantly boosted awareness worldwide, and said that December 21, 2024, is now being observed as World Meditation Day.

Lakshmi Kondaveti, co-founder of Quantum Life University, emphasised the importance of living in the present moment, sharing an anecdote to illustrate how true happiness lies in embracing the present rather than chasing the future.

Spiritual leader Chidanand Saraswati said the world today needs “meditation more than medicine”, underscoring the need for compassion and peace. He added that India can play a leading role in promoting meditation and spirituality as pathways to global harmony.

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Video messages from prominent spiritual figures, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Brahmarshi Patriji, were also shared during the event.

The programme concluded with a seven-minute guided meditation session led by Newton Kondaveti, reflecting the conference’s core message of promoting inner peace as a foundation for global well-being.