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Celebrating the Official Launch of the “Preparatory Secretariat of the United Nations World Meditation Day Committee”— Pioneering a New Era for Global Meditation

Shaolin Temple, January 22, 2025 – The historic Shaolin Temple, a cradle of spiritual and cultural heritage, bore witness to a groundbreaking global milestone: the official establishment of the “Preparatory Secretariat of the United Nations World Meditation Day Committee.” This momentous occasion heralds a transformative chapter for the global meditation movement, bringing ancient wisdom into the heart of modern international collaboration.

Meditation for the Future of the World

Under the theme “Meditation Chan and Future World,” this extraordinary international gathering united leading scholars, practitioners, and visionaries from across the globe. The conference explored the vital role of meditation in fostering personal growth, social harmony, and global well-being in today’s interconnected world.

Organized by the World Meditation Foundation, the Eurasia Center, and the Shaolin Temple, the event received robust support from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Singapore SDG and Leadership Development Center.

Event Highlights: Bridging Heritage and Modernity

The three-day summit combined immersive cultural experiences with forward-looking dialogue, showcasing the profound potential of meditation in addressing modern challenges:

● Shaolin Meditation and Cultural Heritage - Attendees experienced Shaolin’s rich traditions through martial monk performances, standing meditation, Baduanjin (Eight Brocades Qigong), and a visit to the Damo Cave. These activities offered a deep connection to the essence of Shaolin culture and its meditative practices.

● Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Exploration -By blending insights from science, art, and culture, the event fostered meaningful dialogue on how meditation can serve as a universal bridge between diverse perspectives.

● Global Forum on Meditation and Contemporary Issues - Discussions focused on sustainable development, artificial intelligence, and equitable wealth distribution, presenting meditation as a source of insight and solutions for pressing global concerns.

● Scientific Advancements and Standards for Meditation - Experts explored frameworks for standardizing meditation practices, laying the groundwork for establishing globally recognized meditation standards supported by rigorous scientific research.

A New Platform for Global Collaboration

The highlight of the event was the formal establishment of the “Preparatory Secretariat of the United Nations World Meditation Day Committee”. Mr. Sun Zhaoyang, Chairman of the World Meditation Foundation, stated that the Secretariat will operate under the principles of political neutrality, cross-cultural cooperation, and sustainable development, with a mission to advance the global practice, study, and promotion of meditation.

Organizational Structure

● Core Committee: Oversees strategic planning and international coordination.

● Expert and Scientific Committee: Provides thought leadership and research expertise.

● Foundation and Project Teams: Manages the implementation of actionable initiatives.

● Global Meditation Center Network: Connects global resources and fosters cultural exchange.

Meditation: Empowering the Future of Humanity

The launch of the Preparatory Secretariat paves the way for a dynamic new approach to global governance, societal harmony, and individual well-being. By uniting international resources and fostering collaborative innovation, the United Nations World Meditation Day Committee will ensure meditation transcends its ancient roots to thrive as a modern force for transformation.

Meditation offers not only personal peace but also a path to collective progress. This initiative envisions a world that is inclusive, harmonious, and sustainable, driven by the timeless wisdom of meditation and the shared commitment to a brighter future for all.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Fei Yu

Board Member

World Meditation Foundation

Email: fei@worldmeditationfoundation.org

Website: www.worldmeditationfoundation.org

About the World Meditation Foundation

The World Meditation Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the practice and benefits of meditation worldwide. Through advocacy, education, and collaborative initiatives, the Foundation seeks to create a more mindful, compassionate, and sustainable world.

World Meditation Foundation Delegation Participates in the Inaugural Celebration of United Nations "World Meditation Day"

The World Meditation Foundation was honored to be invited to the inaugural celebration of World Meditation Day on December 20, 2024. This historic event, hosted at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, underscored the universality and importance of meditation as a practice for fostering peace, resilience, and well-being in the 21st century.

The celebration was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Liechtenstein, Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, following the adoption of a landmark resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on December 6, 2024. This resolution, declaring December 21 as World Meditation Day, was co-sponsored by over 70 Member States, reflecting the global significance of meditation as a transcendent practice.

Representing the World Meditation Foundation were incoming Chair Zhaoyang Sun and Board Member Lan Lu from China, Board Member Fei Yu from Switzerland, and Sun-young Han, a meditation photographer and author from Korea. The delegation joined global leaders, scholars, and advocates to highlight the Foundation's mission of advancing meditation as a tool for mental health and global harmony.

Board Member Fei Yu reflected on the experience, saying, "Participating in this groundbreaking event has been an inspiring experience. The discussions reinforced the importance of meditation as a universal practice that can bring about peace and resilience in our interconnected world."

Zhaoyang Sun added, "This event has furthered our mission to promote meditation as a tool for mental health and global harmony. We are deeply honored to contribute to this global dialogue."

Lan Lu remarked, "Meditation's relevance in addressing the challenges of modern living was powerfully underscored by today's conversations. We look forward to continuing our efforts to spread its benefits worldwide."

The event was chaired by Myriam Oehri, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein, with Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, delivering welcome remarks as the venue host, and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, giving a video address.

As representatives of the core group members for World Meditation Day:

Mr. Joan Forner Rovira, Permanent Representative of Andorra
H.E. Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative of India
H.E. Lok Bahadur Thapa, Permanent Representative of Nepal
Ms. Alicia Massieu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico

Each gave speeches about the initiation of World Meditation Day.

Subsequently, everyone listened to a keynote speech titled "Meditation - Its Relevance and Benefits to Modern Life" by Dr. Tony Nader, a globally renowned Vedic scholar and meditation expert.

During the interactive Q&A session, the World Meditation Foundation delegation actively participated in discussions, sharing the outstanding contributions made by their founder, Ven. Miaohai, in promoting this World Meditation Day — from his initial vow at a Shanghai Jiao Tong University alumni event on November 23, 2023, to the UN proposal in Korea on February 24, 2024.

After nearly a year of global interfaith and cross-cultural advocacy, combined with the joint efforts of UN co-sponsor member states' representatives, the proposal was finally approved.

The Foundation also expressed its commitment to promoting global cooperation and exploring the role of meditation in enhancing mental health, promoting peace, and advancing sustainable development.

The event brought together people from various sectors worldwide, who eagerly took photos with the World Meditation Foundation delegation and expressed strong interest and willingness to collaborate.

This crucial meeting will further advance the development of the World Meditation Foundation.