Sri Chinmoy:
The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

To Join Humanity in Peace

WHAT IS IT?
Seven Minutes of World Peace is a global observance of peace that will join together simultaneously individuals, groups and organizations around the world for seven minutes of silence. This year, Seven Minutes of World Peace will be held from 1:00-1:07 pm Eastern Standard Time on United Nations Day (Thursday, 24 October). This day also marks the beginning of the International Year of Peace and the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations.

ITS PURPOSE
Seven Minutes of World Peace seeks to focus the attention of the entire world on the urgent need for world peace in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King and the United Nations itself. The observance offers people  in every country a special opportunity to transform their individual longing for peace into a tangible reality. If peace can reign for seven minutes, it is hoped that some day it might endure for seven hours, seven days, seven years and ultimately forever.

THE SPONSOR
The event is sponsored by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace-Meditation at the United Nations in co-operation with United Nations Associations around the world and a broad range of religious, spiritual, educational and peace organizations. The Peace-Meditation at the United Nations is an association of United Nations delegates, staff, NGO representatives and accredited press correspondents who believe that a foundation of inner peace must be established among all peoples – and especially among those working at the United Nations – before outer peace can ever become a reality. Towards this end, the Peace-Meditation has been holding twice weekly meditations for peace and related programmes at United Nations Headquarters since 1970.

1984 OBSERVANCE
Seven Minutes of World Peace was inaugurated in 1984 with the participation of groups in over 40 countries. The main observance was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, in conjunction with United Nations Day activities there. It featured a meditation led by Sri Chinmoy, leader of the Peace-Meditation at the United Nations.

In the United States, groups around the country held special ceremonies to observe the event. In Boston, for example, representatives of five of the world’s major religions read passages from their scriptures related to peace
at a Seven Minutes observance held at the State House. In Washington, D. c., a ceremony at the United States Congress included an observance in the offices of Congressman Gary Ackerman and a silent vigil on the steps of the Capitol by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches. In White Plains, NY, the sisters of the Divine Compassion Center organized educational observances at local secondary schools and held a separate prayer session of their own.

Around the world, Seven Minutes of World Peace was observed during an all-night vigil held by peace organizations and religious groups in Uppsala, Sweden. In the Netherlands, some 30 peace, disarmament, spiritual and religious groups joined in the observance. Support for Seven Minutes of World Peace also came from groups in Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana, Greece, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The United Nations Association of India and the World Muslim Congress of Pakistan were particularly active.

Press coverage was extensive in the Netherlands, where there were major articles in the AIgemeen Dagblad and the Haagsche Courant. Other articles appeared in various publications in the United States.

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Leaders of various faiths at the State House in Boston after Seven Minutes of World Peace programme in 1984.

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Zeven minuten wereldvrede

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HOW CAN I
OR MY ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATE?
You can participate as an individual, by setting aside these seven minutes for your own personal observance of peace. You can also join in the activities sponsored by local groups or organizations, which can be located by contacting the focal point closest to you on the enclosed list. You can also contact us, and we’ll tell you about what is planned in your region.

Seven Minutes of World Peace has no political affiliations or point of view other than the universal human desire for harmony among nations and peoples.

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The following is a partial list of the organizations, groups and individuals which participated in or expressed support for the 1984 observance of Seven Minutes of World Peace.

The Netherlands: Fellowship of the Inner Light in Europe, National Spiritual Assembly of the 8aha’is of the Netherlands; Pro Mundi Vital; Share International; Stichting T ARA

United States: Divine Compassion Center; Prison Fellowship International; Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches

Greece: I.A.E.S.T.E.

Pakistan: World Muslim Congress

Canada: Peace International

Czechoslovakia: World Federation of Trade Unions

Sri Lanka: United Nations Association of Sri Lanka

Ghana: Ghana United National Association

Japan: City of Hiroshima

United Kingdom: World Education Fellowship

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COMMENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
“On UN Day 1984, at the State House in Boston, the United Nations Association of Greater Boston participated in this simultaneous testimonial of dedication to world peace. I hope that United Nations Associations throughout the country and the world will find ways to do so in 1985 and in future years.” – John Malcolm Forbes- Co-director, The Council For a Nuclear Weapons Freeze Member, Board of Directors United Nations Association of Greater Boston

“Soviet United Nations Association joins you in your belief that someday we may have not only days and weeks but many centuries of peace … Appreciating your efforts for the cause of peace.” – Dr. Serguey Gribkov Secretary-
General United Nations Association Of the USSR

In these times of regional and factional wars as well as increased tensions between nations that threaten political and social stability, it’s particularly important to focus attention on the urgent need for peace. This year is the United Nations 40th anniversary and marks the beginning of the International Year of Peace. It is my sincere hope that through the observance of seven minutes of silence we can promote peace. – Charles Royer, Mayor City of Seattle

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We affirm our intention to join the Seven Minutes as an addition to our traditional UN Day activities. We intend to canvass the support of religious and political leaders of all denominations and political persuasions in order to make it a non-sectarian observance uniting all peoples.” –Kumaran Fernando, Secretary-General United Nations Association of Sri Lanka

“Seven Minutes of World Peace is an inspiring endeavor to unite the world in peace.” – Dr. Helen Caldicott – President Emeritus, Physicians for Social Responsibility; Founder, Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament

“I hope the Seven Minutes of World Peace will grow eternal world peace.” -Masahiko Ikeda- Director, Office of the Mayor, Hiroshima, Japan

‘The Seven Minutes of World Peace observance and meditation to be held on 24 October 1985 is an excellent idea. Heads of state and all world governments should support it in action, taking into account their peoples’ wish for peace. Moments of prayer, moments of peace unite the peoples of the world and make them realize the oneness of the human family. This is the significance of Sri Chinmoy’s noble efforts that I wholeheartedly uphold. ‘! – Zenon Rossides – Ambassador of Cyprus to the United Nations

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From 24 Oct 1985 at event in  United Nations Rose Garden, N.Y. Headquarterst:

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Sample of some proclamations received :

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