About

Seven Minutes of World Peace

is hosted by the Sri Chinmoy Centre and Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations, in loving oneness with individuals, groups and organizations all around the world. 

Founder, Sri Chinmoy

Photo: Ranjana K. Ghose

Coordinator, Nayana Hein

Founding Coordinator, Dhrubha Hein

History

Seven Minutes of World Peace was born at the United Nations on United Nations Day (October 24) in 1984. Sri Chinmoy led the seven-minute, lunchtime meditation in a UN conference room, with many staff and delegates present. Individuals and organizations around the world joined in at the same time.

Sri Chinmoy offering a meditation during the inaugural Seven Minutes of World Peace in 1984

Since its inception, countless numbers of people have participated, and letters of support and proclamations have been received from Heads of State, governors and mayors. In the United States alone, between 1985 and 1988, more than 285 Governors and mayors issued proclamations in support of Seven Minutes of World Peace, convinced that outer peace can only take root in the loving hearts of individuals.

In 1987, hundreds of cities responded to an outreach about Seven Minutes of World Peace (which then occurred on UN Day) Here, Tom Bradley, Mayor of the city of Los Angeles, on behalf of its citizens, proclaims “World Peace Day” to be seven minutes especially dedicated by the citizens for personal, individual, and group, observances of silence, prayer, or meditation in the spirit of peace.  

Sri Lanka is another example of large-scale participation from the early days. The United Nations Association of Sri Lanka included Seven Minutes observances in their planned 1985 UN Day event. Over 70,000 people joined in 1986, and many more in subsequent years.

In Sri Lanka, the United Nations Association included Seven Minutes observances in their planned 1985 UN Day event (the first “Seven Minutes of World Peace” being held on UN Day). Over 70,000 people joined in 1986, and many more in subsequent years.

For a number of years, while still observed, Seven Minutes of World Peace entered a more quiet phase.

In the beginning of 2019, founding Coordinator Dhrubha Hein worked tirelessly to reinvigorate the project. After consulting many, it was decided that Seven Minutes of World Peace should be held on September 21, the International Day of Peace. The time 9:00-9:07 AM New York time was chosen to coincide with when the Peace Bell at the United Nations has sometimes rung to proclaim humanity’s age-long yearning for peace.

During the pandemic in 2020, with most observing individually, a Zoom program was held to usher in the seven minutes of silence. Group participation resumed in 2021, flourished in 2022 and continues to bloom and blossom around the world.

As so many have strongly noticed and felt, Seven Minutes of World Peace has a special significance and power that goes beyond us all.

About Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy was born in East Bengal, India in 1931. At the age of 12, with his sisters and brothers, he entered an ashram in South India. During his time there, he spent considerable time in prayer and meditation, while simultaneously cultivating interests in literature, music and sports.

In 1964, following an inner call, Sri Chinmoy travelled to the United States to share with Western seekers the fruits of the East’s strong tradition of inner reflection and meditation. He made his home for the rest of his life in New York City, while traveling the globe offering meditations, lectures and over 700 peace concerts of his own compositions.  His Paintings for World-Harmony similarly have exhibited at galleries, museums and public spaces around the world.

United Nations Secretary-General U Thant invited Sri Chinmoy to conduct meditations at the United Nations for its delegates and staff, and Sri Chinmoy gratefully and faithfully did so from 1970 until his passing in 2007.  The Peace Meditation group continues to this day.

Sri Chinmoy led an active life, demonstrating that spirituality is not an escape from the world, but a means of transforming it. Above all, he wished to be remembered as a ‘student of peace’.

For more information: srichinmoy.org

“O dreamers of peace, come,

    Let us walk together.

O lovers of peace, come,

    Let us run together.

O servers of peace, come,

    Let us grow together.

— Sri Chinmoy