An International Conference on ‘YOGA FOR WELLNESS’ took place on 10-11 October 2017 in New Delhi, organized by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

Vishwaguruji was invited by the organizers to be the keynote speaker at the Conference. His Holiness delivered his welcoming remarks in the presence of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Vice President of India; Shri Shripad Naik, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH; Shri C.K. Mishra, Secretary of Ministry of AYUSH; Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor S-VYASA; Rajesh Kotecha, Special Secretary of Ministry of AYUSH and Dr. Chris Streeter, Associate Professor, Boston University School of Medicine, USA.

In his opening address, Vishwaguruji described Yoga as the uniting force between the universe and consciousness. He further underlined ‘unity’, ‘harmony’ and ‘balance’ as appropriate definitions and translations of the concept of Yoga. He advised against equating Yoga with any religion. Vishwaguruji emphasized that the science of Yoga was bestowed upon humanity by Lord Shiva

Vishwaguruji emphasized that the Science of Yoga was bestowed upon humanity by Lord Shiva himself, therefore associating the origins of Yoga with the Indus Valley Civilisation is a misconception. Vishwaguruji later led a Self-inquiry Meditation from the Yoga in Daily Life system in the technical session titled, ‘Yoga for Wellness: Recent Trends’.

On the second, closing day of the conference, His Holiness was a member of the valedictory committee & session that included Shri Shripad Naik, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH; Shri C.K. Mishra, Secretary of Ministry of AYUSH; Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor S-VYASA and Rajesh Kotecha, Special Secretary of Ministry of AYUSH.  The event was chaired by the Honourable Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping & Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Mr. Nitin Jairam Gadkari.