The David Lynch Foundation was established in 2005 to fund the implementation of scientifically proven stress-reducing modalities, including the Transcendental Meditation program, for at-risk populations such as underserved inner-city students; veterans with PTSD and their families; women and girls who are victims of domestic violence; American Indians suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high suicide rates; homeless men participating in reentry programs who are striving to overcome addictions; and incarcerated juveniles and adults.
At-risk populations suffer from epidemic levels of chronic stress and stress-related disorders—fueling violence, crime and soaring health costs, and compromising the effectiveness of education, health, rehabilitation and vocational programs now in place.
The Foundation also funds university and medical school research to assess the effects of the program on academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes.
The effectiveness of the Foundation’s programs have been researched at leading medical schools, including Harvard Medical School, Stanford Medical School and Yale Medical School, and have received the endorsement of and support from private foundations and government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, General Motors Foundation, the Chrysler Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, the American Indian Education Association, Indian Health Services, many school districts and state departments of corrections.
“This meditation can help a lot of people. Post-traumatic stress disorder is not just prevalent in people who’ve fought in combat but in young children growing up in our inner cities. We have to equip them with tools to cope. That’s where the David Lynch Foundation comes in—they are working with people who are most at risk for traumatic stress.” —Dr. Mehmet Oz
“Your programs have significant impact for dramatically improving academic performance and reducing the stress and violence that permeate impoverished communities. Thank you for all you do to bring change for healthy, peaceful communities worldwide.”
—Bill Clinton
“Veterans need our help, and this is a wonderful cause. The initial research on the effects of Transcendental Meditation in treating PTSD offers so much hope—reduced anxiety, depression, hypervigilance and insomnia, as well as reductions in substance abuse, violent behavior and suicidal tendencies—better than many things being tried and at far less a cost.”
—Candy Crowley
“TM is the only time I have that stillness… it gives me this peaceful feeling, and I love it so much. I can’t say enough good things about it. All the benefits that you can achieve from sitting still and going within—it really is a beautiful experience. David Lynch is such a wonderful man to start this foundation to help people.”
—Ellen DeGeneres
“Putting [TM] into schools is a fabulous thing. The kids love it and you’re getting results.”
—Paul McCartney
“I want to offer my support and encouragement in these efforts to help children and veterans—and anyone who needs help to overcome stress though meditation.”
—Martin Scorsese
Is there also something like this in Europe or are we walking behind the facts? Can somebody inform me on this? Meditation in schools : never heard this here?! I want to help because I believe in mediation 🙂
Stella
Hi Stella; David Lynch has travelled extensively throughout Europe promoting his foundation and Transcendental Meditation, offering to reduce violence in French schools, for example, and receiving a tremendous response in Italy and Germany. Go to http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/contact.html to enquire who your closest contact person in Holland is.
Hi, I found the contact in The Netherlands however to learn Transcendental Meditation costs +-800 euro, this includes 8 hours of lessons. This is 100 euro per hour? No wonder why there is nobody doing this? You can find this on the site. Is this normal? What is your thought about this? Talking about world peace solutions only for the mega rich?
Thanks a lot,
Stella
Hi Stella. There is indeed a once-only fee to learn TM; once learned, there is a lifetime you can spend enjoying the extensive benefits, which is no doubt why so many medical professionals prescribe it around the world, which in actuality can end up saving tens of thousands of dollars/euros in medical costs. Go to tm.org and browse through some of the 400 published research studies, half of them published in peer-review research journals. TM stands out on its own as far as this extensive research goes, no other practise or methodology in social empowerment has ever had this extensive verification. Which is why there is such a demand for TM, in many countries there are not enough teachers to meet this. Just like in any investment in your wellbeing and happiness, if this is important to you then it is only a matter of prioritising.