ABOUT THE DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
Since 2005, the David Lynch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has helped to bring the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation® technique to more than 1 million vulnerable children and adults around the world. The Foundation works with underserved inner-city students; healthcare workers on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic; veterans with PTSD and their families; women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse; and adults and teens battling substance use disorder. In addition, DLF funds independent research to assess the effects of the program on academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, burnout, cardiovascular disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes.
Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless technique practiced 20 minutes twice a day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It’s not a religion, philosophy or lifestyle. Transcendental Meditation allows the active thinking mind to settle inward to experience a naturally calm, peaceful level of awareness. During TM, the body enjoys a profoundly rejuvenating rest, while the brain functions with significantly greater coherence.
How does the TM® practice differ from other meditation techniques? Brain research has identified three basic approaches to meditation:
- Focused attention (concentrating on a thought or object)
- Open monitoring (observing breath, thoughts, or the environment)
- Automatic self-transcending (spontaneously experi encing quieter levels of thought — a unique state of restful alertness)
The Transcendental Meditation technique involves no focused attention nor open monitoring. It is a process of automatic self-transcending, allowing the practitioner to experience a field of calm deep within. TM is taught in a personal course of instruction by a specially-trained, certified teacher. To learn TM, please visit www.tm.org for a teaching center near you. If you are interested in bringing TM to your organization please contact the David Lynch Foundation Center for Health and Wellness.
MEDITATE
NEW YORK?
A PUBLIC HEALTH INITATIVE
TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND
RESILIENCE OF THE ENTIRE CITY
PANDEMIC OF TOXIC STRESS
Covid-19 and the unrelenting pressures and upheavals of the day have created a pandemic of trauma and toxic stress that fuels anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, substance use disorder, suicide ideation, violence, and more. Unfortunately, there are no conventional antidotes to this crisis that are practical, scalable for a large population, and cost-effective.
40 YEARS OF PUBLISHED RESEARCH
Fortunately, extensive published scientific research over more than 40 years has demonstrated the power and impact of evidence-based meditation techniques to help address many of these stress- related disorders for the individual and society.
PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP
Meditate New York will create a public-private partnership with nonprofit organizations skilled in teaching different scientifically-proven meditation techniques to New Yorkers in need. Together, they will help to transform the city—healing trauma, building resilience, and promoting physical and mental well-being during these challenging times.
BRINGING MEDITATION TO EVERYONE
To help document these benefits, the David Lynch Foundation will launch the largest public health demonstration project conducted on the benefits of meditation for society. Ten thousand frontline New Yorkers will be able to learn Transcendental Meditation, including healthcare providers, first responders, teachers and students, and other New Yorkers in need. Research outcomes from this demonstration project will be used to secure insurance coverage for effective meditation techniques so that all New Yorkers and, ultimately, all Americans can learn to meditate and enjoy its benefits, at no cost.