About DLF

About DLF

Our Mission

The David Lynch Foundation helps 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.

Our Vision

Working in partnership with an international network of specially trained instructors, the David Lynch Foundation will be a global catalyst for the adoption of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program by individuals and institutions by:

  • Establishing mainstream understanding of the effects of Transcendental Meditation among government, health, education, media, and business leaders, as well as the general public
  • Raising funds to implement TM pilot programs in institutions that serve at-risk populations
  • Ensuring the institutional implementation of the TM program on a national and international basis
  • Funding independent research on the TM program to more profoundly understand the wide-ranging effects of the technique on the brain, health and behavior

Background

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.

Since opening its doors in 2005, the David Lynch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, has helped to bring the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique to more than 500,000 children and adults around the world. We focus our efforts on underserved inner-city students; veterans with PTS and their families; and women and children who are survivors of violence and abuse.

We organize and host scientific and professional conferences on business, education, veterans, corrections, and rehabilitation as well as town hall meetings to educate leaders and the general public in the benefits of meditation and the good works of the Foundation. In addition, we fund 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 our 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.

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“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
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“Veterans need our help, and this is a wonderful cause. The initial research on the effects of Transcendental Meditation in treating PTS 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
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“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 
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“Putting [TM] into schools is a fabulous thing. The kids love it and you’re getting results.”
—Paul McCartney 
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“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 
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