Usually known as a reclusive artist with a fear of public speaking, cult classic filmmaker David Lynch is visiting the University tonight to spread the word about the practice of transcendental meditation to aid students in coping with the stresses of daily life.
Lynch, the award-winning director of “Blue Velvet,” “Eraserhead,” “Twin Peaks” and “Mulholland Dr.,” is visiting the University as a part of his tour, “Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain.” The event will take place today at 7:30 p.m. in 150 Columbia.
Lynch has been practicing transcendental meditation for 32 years, since his sister introduced him to the technique.
Lynch said in an interview with the Emerald that he has never tried another form of meditation, and while other meditation techniques focus on contemplation and concentration, transcendental meditation allows the person to experience a wholeness because it goes beyond the surface.
Oregon has six transcendental meditation training centers throughout the state, in Seaside, Salem, Lake Oswego, McMinnville and two in Portland. Training for the technique is a $2,500 four-day course.
Lynch is founder of the David Lynch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to consciousness-based education and world peace and one that strives to provide students with the opportunity to learn the meditation technique.
Lynch said things get better when people know themselves and the calmness of life.
The meditation technique was started by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1958 and was a household name by the 1970s. The technique claims to be neither a religion nor a philosophy, which allows it to be learned and practiced by people from all walks of life without conflicting with personal beliefs, according to the official transcendental meditation Web site.
Peg Rees, associate director of the University’s Physical Activities and Recreational Services (PARS), said the great benefits of meditation are indisputable, but that PARS could no longer offer meditation classes specifically.
The University stopped teaching meditation classes after spring term 2005.
“Every yoga class we offer has some meditation,” Rees said, adding that it’s a valuable discipline. “We just couldn’t justify offering it as a stand-alone course.”
Rees said there is no physical balance, movement or strengths involved to evaluate a student’s progress in meditation.
PARS is offering a Yoga/Mediation class next term at the Student Recreation Center that will be firmly rooted in meditation practices.
Jude Kehoe, a licensed practical nurse and certified healing touch practitioner, teaches a six-week meditation class at the University Health Center that is free to staff and students.
“I’m teaching a lot of different techniques,” Kehoe said. “All are oriented towards clearing the mind and focusing your mind on breathing.”
Lynch cited Maharishi’s prediction that with a large enough group of transcendental meditation program-trained “Peace-Creating Experts,” world peace can be achieved.
Harmony will spread through a population if a number of people equal to the square root of 1 percent of the population practices transcendental meditation, Lynch said.
Applying that equation to the world, 8,000 “Peace-Creating Experts” are needed to bring coherence and peace to the whole world, Lynch said.
According to the TM Program Web site, more than 600 studies have been conducted on the TM technique showing that Maharishi’s program is “by far the most effective remedy for the ills of modern life.”
“We need money – a wealthy well-wisher who says, ‘I’m going to back this thing’,” Lynch said. If $1 billion were put into a savings account, the interest alone would sustain consciousness-based education, Lynch said.
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