World Meditation Day 2024: History, Significance + SSC_CGL?.ToString()?? SSC_CGL?.ToString()+" Current Affairs";

The world will mark 21st December 2024 as the first-ever World Meditation Day, following a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 29th November 2024.This marks a significant moment in global recognition of meditation's value. This historic event will establish an annual global celebration of meditation, highlighting its transformative benefits for mental and physical health and its potential to foster peace and unity.
Significance of December 21:
Winter Solstice: Marks the beginning of Uttarayana (auspicious time for inner reflection) in Indian tradition.
Complementary Date: Falls exactly six months after June 21, celebrated as the International Day of Yoga (Summer Solstice).
World Meditation Day 2024: History
The General Assembly declared December 21 to be World Meditation Day to increase awareness of meditation and its advantages while remembering that everyone has the right to the best possible level of physical and mental wealth.
The General Assembly also recognised the connection between yoga and meditation as complementary methods of improving health and well-being.
World Meditation Day 2024: Significance
Meditation is a powerful tool for promoting compassion, peace and unity. World Meditation Day serves as a reminder to tackle the various global challenges and strive for harmony within ourselves and our communities.
By practicing meditation to nurture inner peace, we can collectively contribute to creating a more resilient and sustainable world for present and future generations.
What is meditation?
According to the United Nations, meditation is an ancient practice that involves focusing one's attention on the present moment. Rooted in religious, yogic, and secular traditions across cultures, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years.
The most recognised definition of meditation generally describes it as a practice where an individual uses techniques such as mindfulness, focused attention, or concentrated thought to train the mind and achieve a state of mental clarity, emotional calmness, and physical relaxation.
World Meditation Day 2024: 10 Health Benefits
Stress reduction: Meditation is effective in reducing stress and can alleviate symptoms of stress-related illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Better memory: Regular meditation can improve focus, which in turn may improve memory and mental clarity. These benefits can be helpful in combating dementia and age-related memory decline.
Increased attention: Meditation improves attention span, allowing you to concentrate for extended periods.
Increased willpower: Meditation ensures the mental self-control necessary to avoid harmful behaviours.
Improved sleep: Meditation can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
Reduced discomfort: Meditation helps with emotional regulation and pain management. This can help in the treatment of chronic pain when used alongside medical care.
Reduced blood pressure: Those who meditate regularly experience lower blood pressure both during and after meditation. This can help reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease.
Reduced anxiety: Regular meditation helps decrease anxiety and can assist with mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive behaviours, social anxiety and general anxiety.
Decreased depression: Meditation has been shown to lower the incidence of depression.
Increased compassion: Meditation helps you discover your best self, leading to a deeper understanding of your own self and encouraging kindness towards others.