Assembly Resolution No. 677
BY: M. of A. Sayegh
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
December 21, 2025, as Meditation Day in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
and recognize aspects of life that affect the citizens of this great
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, On December 6, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly
declared December 21st as World Meditation Day; and
WHEREAS, Meditation's roots stretch back to ancient India; this
age-old traditional yogic practice, called Dhyana in Sanskrit language,
embodies the unity of mind, body, and well-being and involves focusing
one's attention on the present moment with blissful state; and
WHEREAS, Today, meditation is embraced worldwide, transcending its
spiritual origins to become a universal tool for personal well-being and
mental health, and in the year 2025, is more popular than ever; and
WHEREAS, The most recognized 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; and
WHEREAS, Yoga and meditation were introduced to the United States in
the 1890s when an Indian monk, Swami Vivekananda, wrote the book, "Raja
Yoga," in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the
significant benefits of meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation,
which can be a powerful self-care tool to support treatment and enhance
overall well-being, especially with managing symptoms of anxiety; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the United States National
Institutes of Health (NIH), research suggests that meditation is a mind
and body practice that has a long history of use for increasing calmness
and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with
illness, and enhancing overall health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, Practicing meditation may reduce high blood pressure,
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, stress, anxiety and depression,
pain, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use
disorders, cancer, weight control and eating behavior, attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and insomnia; and
WHEREAS, Meditation has the added benefits of helping both youth and
adults significantly improve their quality of life by aiding them in
achieving calm, clarity, and balance; it can also help an individual
quit smoking, improve focus and emotional balance, relieve menopause
symptoms, and attain better physical health; and
WHEREAS, Beyond individual benefits, meditation fosters empathy,
collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose, contributing to collective
well-being; celebrated for its universality, meditation is practiced
across all regions of the world by people of all ages, backgrounds, and
lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, By fostering inner peace through meditation, individuals
contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable world for
current and future generations, and meditation offers a powerful means
to cultivate peace, unity, and compassion; and
WHEREAS, Yoga and meditation have become a vital source of social
interaction and social life, helping millions of people meet and get to
know one another through common interests and encouragement toward a
healthy lifestyle, through events, such as the World Yoga Festival and
World Meditation Day Celebration, hosted by the World Yoga Community,
Inc.; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 21, 2025, as
Meditation Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
