International Peace Day celebrated by Yoga in Daily Life around the world

Each year on the 21st of September, the International Day of Peace is marked all over the world and has been commemorated by Yoga in Daily Life societies, members and practitioners since its official dedication by the United Nations in 2013.

The topic of the 2019 World Peace Day is "Climate Action for Peace".

"Sustainable Development Goal 13 'Climate Action' is a call for immediate action by all to lower greenhouse emissions, build resilience and improve education on climate change.” (from un.org)

In highlighting human activities that contribute to climate change, it is vital to mention that animal agriculture/farming has the most significant impact on our environment. It contributes to land and water degradation, deforestation and produces greenhouse gas emissions. It is important to be aware of the vastly negative impact of livestock farming and to seriously consider the choices that we humans can make for the good of our planet.

A vegetarian/vegan diet and lifestyle have always been traditionally recommended by yoga masters, including Yoga in Daily Life founder Vishwaguruji Swami Maheshwarananda, and its benefits for the planet are now echoed in a recent UN report on 'Assessing the environmental impacts of consumption and production' by the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management, stating that, "A global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change."

Yoga in Daily Life has been organizing peace prayers and special events on this day for many years, and taking action to raise people's awareness to the importance of animal and environmental protection and leading a sustainable and balanced way of life.

Yoga in Daily Life practitioners usually gather together at their local World Peace Trees, which have been planted by Vishwaguruji, to sing mantras, recite prayers and practice meditation.

There is a well-known Sanskrit mantra, a universal prayer, which is recited for the happiness of all living beings on Earth:

Oṃ, may all be prosperous and happy
May all be free from illness
May all see what is spiritually uplifting
May no one suffer
Oṃ, peace, peace, peace