Need for Meditation Increases with Economic Prosperity: Swami Anand Arun

Kathmandu: Swami Anand Arun has stated that as economic prosperity increases, mental distress is also rising, making the need for meditation and yoga even more significant.

Addressing the main ceremony of the Second World Meditation Day 2025 organized on Sunday, he noted that mental health issues are becoming serious in developed nations. 

He said, "I am observing that the more economically prosperous a nation becomes, the more mental distress increases. Therefore, the need for meditation is even greater in Europe and America." He expressed pride that Nepalis are conducting meditation campaigns in those countries.

According to Swami Arun, individuals from 60 countries currently come to Nepal to receive meditation training. "They come here every year, become instructors, and teach meditation in their respective countries," he said. He informed that meditation and yoga are currently being promoted through 90 centers via "Indirect Tapoban."

He pointed out the need for the Nepal government to support the fields of meditation, yoga, and natural healing. In this context, he placed three main requests before the Government of Nepal.

Swami Arun expressed concern that there is no separate ministry to oversee yoga, meditation, natural healing, Ayurveda, and alternative medicine systems. "There are many methods like yoga, meditation, natural healing, Ayurveda, and alternative medicine, but there is no ministry to look after them. All health expenditures are being spent only on Allopathy. We have our own Tibetan healing system and our own traditional methods. Who will promote them? There is no state presence for that," he said.

Citing the example of India, where a separate ministry has been established for Ayurveda and alternative medicine, he said a similar structure is necessary in Nepal. "Just as India has created a ministry, I request the Government of Nepal to provide us with a guardian as well. Where should we go? Sometimes we have to go to the Ministry of Education, sometimes to the Ministry of Health, and sometimes to the Ministry of Finance," he questioned.

Urging the Nepal government to establish a separate ministry for the structural development of Ayurveda and the alternative medicine sector, he said, "Provide a place where we can go to voice our grievances." He also suggested that meditation rooms should be constructed at international airports.