Summary: The David Lynch Foundation (DLF) raises awareness for healing traumatic stress. A transcendental meditation (TM) devotee for 40 years, David Lynch founded and runs the DLF for at-risk populations who suffer from epidemic levels of chronic stress and stress-related disorders. In order to reduce violence, crime, soaring health costs, and the compromised effectiveness of education, health, rehabilitation and vocational programs now in place, DLF teaches TM to foster recovery and healing. On today’s episode I spoke with Jenny Cimaglia, Special Events and Development Coordinator at the David Lynch Foundation (DLF). Jenny shared the overall mission of DLF, the many ways that they are penetrating at-risk populations and details about the upcoming benefit gala, Change Begins Within, on December 3rd. Jenny and I covered: The DLF history and mission The definition of TM, plus our personal stories of practice and results How you can do TM, overcome resistance, and an easy tip to begin your practice today A behind-the-scenes peek at the Change Begins Within Gala with Jerry Seinfeld and Hugh Jackman About my guest: About Jenny Cimaglia: At the David Lynch Foundation, Jenny puts to use her various experiences organizing academic conferences, art installations, and even fashion shows to create events that highlight the David Lynch Foundation’s work and expand awareness of its programs. Jenny plans and executes both large-scale galas and small intimate events for the David Lynch Foundation. These include a friend-raiser in East Hampton in summer 2013, a conference on Women, Meditation, and Stress at the Paley center in Autumn 2013, and the David Lynch Foundation’s annual Change Begins Within Gala in winter of 2013. She also works in stewardship and development, cultivating new connections for the foundation and working with current donors on annual giving campaigns and outreach. To learn more about Jenny, you can find her information here. The David Lynch Foundation: The David Lynch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, 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. 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.
