Oklahoma City residents promoted world peace this weekend when several citizens and OU students gathered in the city to reflect and meditate.

The U.N. International Day of Peace was Sunday, but local celebrations began with the first World Peace Meditation at 6 p.m. Saturday on the state Capitol’s north plaza.

“If students reflect, and bring peace to themselves, it will bring peace to our classrooms, our community and our families,” said Linda Esser, a representative of Cultural Awareness for Students and Teachers. “People truly want to make a difference and bring peace.”

The goal was to have 1,008 people present to meditate and create positive energy for the planet, said C.J. Co, an event coordinator for Stress Free OKC, one of the sponsoring organizations.

Co said 1,008 is a special number in the Middle East that represents a combination between the earth, moon and sun.

Rose Nambiar, an event coordinator for Stress Free OKC, said 50 people showed up to participate in the 30-minute meditation.

“We really want to spread meditation throughout Oklahoma City and [with] OU students,” Co said.

Meditating is one way to relax before exams, said Sonal Patel, a University College freshman who participated in the meditation.

“It’s definitely a way to give yourself inner peace and calm your nerves,” she said.

Co said meditation can be beneficial for students when they are stressed and do not get enough sleep.

If someone meditates before sleeping, they will sleep deeper and awake energized, Co said.

The deadlines students face also contribute to a high level of stress, Dana Cesar said, director of the OU Center of Education and Research.

“They put eating and taking care of themselves on the back burner,” Cesar said.

She said students and teachers would benefit from meditation by learning to relax.

Meeta Patel, engineering sophomore, said she felt calmer after attending the meditation.

“It was a really peaceful event to introduce people to basic meditation,” Cesar said.

Cesar has been meditating for awhile and said the feeling of meditation is similar to a runner’s high.

“I have that same general feeling of well-being and happiness when I meditate,” she said.

Co said 50 percent of proceeds from the World Peace Meditation day will go toward Hurricane Gustav relief.