David Lynch and TM

Both critically and commercially acclaimed, he has a cult following thanks to films including:

• Eraserhead (1976)
• The Elephant Man (1980)
• Dune (1984)
• Blue Velvet (1986)
• Wild at Heart (1990)
• Mulholland Drive (2001)

Lynch also directed the groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks (1989), and exhibited his art across the United States, Europe, and Japan. Lynch received numerous awards, and was nominated three times for Best Director at the Academy Awards.

Lynch’s cultural impact cannot be understated. A 2007 panel convened by The Guardian described him as “the most important film-maker of the current era”.¹

David Lynch and Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation is an effortless technique, practiced for 20 minutes, twice a day. It is a silent technique practiced in a comfortable sitting position with the eyes closed.

During the TM technique, the mind is able to access deeper levels of consciousness thanks to a mantra provided by a certified teacher during the TM course. TM allows the body and mind to process accumulated stress, resulting in sharper thinking, better sleep, and less anxiety, among many other benefits.

David Lynch learned the TM technique in 1973, and has stated that he didn’t miss a single meditation session since learning. He gave credit to the TM technique for his creativity, energy, and happiness. In 1975, Lynch met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM movement.

David Lynch’s experiences with the TM technique were the inspiration for his book “Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity.” In the book, Lynch explains his reluctance to meditate and how, in time, meditation has allowed him to “catch the big fish”, or access deeper creativity and more expanded states of consciousness.

Lynch witnessed first-hand the impact of the TM technique in schools, as children became less violent and stressed when practicing the technique. This prompted him to found the

The David Lynch Foundation

The mission of the David Lynch Foundation is “to prevent and eradicate the all-pervasive epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations through promoting widespread implementation of the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation (TM) program in order to improve their health, cognitive capabilities and performance in life.”

Since 2005, DLF has raised over $100 million for at-risk individuals, including schoolchildren, veterans, and survivors of domestic abuse. More than one million people around the world have learned the TM technique, thanks to DLF.

In 2009, the “Change Begins Within” benefit concert featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, and others raised funds to help one million at-risk children learn the TM technique.

Some of their more recent initiatives include “Heal The Healers Now”, which was established during the Covid-19 pandemic to combat burnout and unprecedented stress among healthcare workers.

In 2024, DLF launched Meditate America, a national campaign to bring the TM technique to everyone in the United States who wanted to learn. It raised money for at-risk individuals and frontline workers to learn the TM technique at no cost, and, alongside the national TM organization in the US, offered a 50% discount on the TM course to all. This was part of a wider initiative, championed by DLF, to get the TM technique covered by health insurance companies. 

Honoring the memory of David Lynch

David Lynch inspired many people to learn the TM technique. Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, said Lynch “was responsible for more people learning TM than any other figure since Maharishi … That’s his legacy. He wasn’t just an actor who put his name on something, some cause. He went everywhere, he traveled around the world, worked long hours and weeks and months. We would be nowhere without David Lynch and his energy and his focus and his conviction.”²

When the news of his death became public, there was an outpouring of love and support from around the world:

• “My heart is sad today but what an incredible legacy David Lynch left behind with the foundation… he has changed so many people’s lives, especially mine.” - Katy Perry
• “David Lynch showed up. His passing is a terrible loss but his legacy is the definition of selflessness. Loss always allows us, requires us, to remember. His example and gifts are easy to remember. I never met David but feel very close to him through my personal TM journey, encouraged by his foundation. What a good man. What a great visionary.” - General James “Spider” Marks (US Army, retired) 
• “Deep condolences. So sorry to hear… David did so many great things for the world!” - Jerry Seinfeld
• "David Lynch was an inspiration to all of us who meditate with TM. His commitment to helping people whether Veterans, First Responders, Healthcare workers and so many more has been nothing short of amazing. He will be sorely missed." - Salvatore Cassano, Commissioner FDNY (Ret.), National Chairman TM for First Responders
• “I’m so sorry to hear of David’s passing.. His vision and dedication to heal people through TM .. has truly changed so many lives.” - Cameron Diaz

Written by Chloe Bonfield, January 24 2025 References:

1. Kermode, Mark (February 8, 2007).
   "David Lynch"
   .
   The Guardian
   . Accessed January 24, 2025.
2. Hoffmann, Claire (January 18, 2025).
   "I Argued With David Lynch About Meditation. He Was Right"
   .
   Rolling Stone
   . Accessed January 24, 2025.