Dr. Tony Nader, MD, PhD, MARR, a renowned Vedic scholar and successor to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, delivered the keynote address at the UN’s inaugural celebration in New York City
24th December 2024: The inaugural World Meditation Day, celebrated on 21 December 2024, marked a historic milestone as millions across 193 countries united to meditate for global peace and harmony. This momentous occasion followed the United Nations General Assembly’s unanimous proclamation of the day, recognizing the profound potential of meditation to foster unity and coherence worldwide.
The celebrations began with a keynote address by Dr. Tony Nader, MD, PhD, MARR, a renowned Vedic scholar and the global leader of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Dr. Nader emphasized the transformative impact of meditation, calling it a tool to transcend personal boundaries and foster global unity. “Meditation creates coherence not only within individuals but across societies, proving that peace is achievable through collective consciousness,” he said.
The day saw the participation of millions, joining virtually and in person, to create a unified wave of positivity and harmony. Platforms like WorldMeditationDay.world and YouTube @WorldMeditationDay became hubs for engagement, with over 20 million meditators sharing their experiences. The event’s global reach was reflected in its digital impact, with hashtags like #WorldMeditationDay and #GlobalPeace gaining immense traction and generating over 500 million impressions worldwide.
Dr. Nader highlighted decades of scientific research on Transcendental Meditation, which has demonstrated its ability to reduce societal stress, crime, and violence while enhancing harmony and collective well-being. Studies have shown significant societal benefits when large groups meditate together, reinforcing the power of shared consciousness to create tangible change.
The success of World Meditation Day has ignited a global movement, inspiring individuals and communities to embrace meditation as a pathway to personal and collective growth. Dr. Nader concluded, “This day has shown us the power of unity. Together, we have taken a transformative step towards a peaceful and harmonious world.”