Behind the Scenes

February 26, 2011 · 6:53 pm

Download for Good

The David Lynch Foundation is bringing you music that changes the world with our new initiative—DLF MUSIC. We’ve partnered with PledgeMusic to raise funds for DLF with the release of exclusive tracks from a star-studded line-up.

By joining in on our PledgeMusic Campaign you will enjoy an insider’s preview of exclusive, never-before-heard tracks from leading recording artists who have donated their music to the David Lynch Foundation. Pledge to participate and all proceeds go to support the good works of the Foundation.

Pledgers not only gain access to great music tracks from our first 17 participating artists…but will also get exclusive video, photo, & blog updates giving you a glimpse into the artist’s lives and experiences.

Click here to pledge and enjoy the music!

Check out the video below to watch David Lynch talking about DLF Music.

Russell Brand: Brilliant, Heartfelt and Hysterical

I have a confession: I could watch English comedian, actor, and author Russell Brand speak all day long… He’s witty, honest, brilliant and a very genuine person.

Over the past 20 months, Russell has shown his deep support for the David Lynch Foundation and our programs. Even as his fame has sky-rocketed in the last two years, he has managed to stay personable, down-to-earth, and available to help with some of our biggest initiatives.

Last month, Russell took part in our press conference launching Operation Warrior Wellness—an initiative to help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) learn to meditate. He described how the Transcendental Meditation program helped him change his lifestyle and experience a “deeper state of happiness which is very profound and absolute.”

Below is a video of Russell’s talk at our press conference. I thought I was a fan of Russell’s before, but his continued support with our programs has made me grow to love him so much more!

You can watch more highlights from the whole press conference below.

The importance of peace: An interview with Sheryl Crow

“Peace is tapping into something that exists in all of us and makes us unique, and that helps us to be pure.”

It was an absolute pleasure having the inimitable Sheryl Crow at the Change Begins Within concert last year at Radio City Music Hall. Her nine Grammy Awards speak for what a remarkable musician, singer/songwriter she is. But more than that, she is someone who takes giving very seriously, and promotes peace in so many amazing ways. I’ve looked up to this strong woman for a long time, as she is a shining role model of grace, compassion, and talent.

When we interviewed Sheryl Crow, I saw yet another reason for admiration: her deep desire to change the world. Sheryl described the event as one of the “most important events to happen at this moment in history.” She sees that children are growing up with an immense amount of chaos and stress, which they must deal with every day, and which they often externalize in destructive ways. Practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique gives them the tools to process and release these negative influences.

I like the way Sheryl Crow describes peace, not so much as a lack of strife, but as something deeper within all of us: “Peace is tapping into something that exists in all of us and makes us unique, and that helps us to be pure.”

View our interview with Sheryl Crow by clicking the video below:

See original blog post on TM.org.

1 Comment

Filed under Celebrity Meditators

Tagged as Concert, Event, Peace, Radio City Music Hall, Sheryl Crow, TM.org

May 5, 2010 · 2:19 pm

Freedom Behind Bars: TM in Prisons

The meditation-based rehabilitation program offered by the David Lynch Foundation has been utilized in dozens of prisons throughout the US and worldwide during the past 30 years. Research on meditating inmates at San Quentin and Folsom prisons in California and Walpole Prison in Massachusetts has found TM practice markedly reduces rule infractions and dramatically reduces recidivism rates by as much as 50 percent.

Bob Roth and several members of the DLF.TV crew documented the early stages of the research program inside a prison in the pacific northwest. This five-minute documentary shows how the effects of Transcendental Meditation are transforming the lives of inmates, guards, and staff of a medium-security prison in Oregon.

Here are the facts, according to the Report of the Reentry Policy Council: Charting the Safe and Successful Return of Prisoners to the Community:

• Two million Americans are serving time in prison

• 50% of the inmates are in for violent crimes

• About 67% of the inmates released from prison are re-arrested within three years of their release

• This recidivism rate has not improved over the past 30 years.

• Prisoners return to society more hardened and more willing to commit crimes than before.

Saving the Disposable Ones

“The basic therapy is love. Love is the imperial medicine for any illness or disorder. When a child feels they are welcome, when a child feels an educator is concerned about them, the child who came from violence and hostility of the streets, from being mistreated and who became aggressive. They change. The child changes.” – Father Gabriel Mejia

It is hard to imagine the horrors that are visited upon thousands of abandoned children living on the streets of the inner cities of Colombia. So what can one man do—through the power of unwavering love, awe-inspiring organizing power, and decades of grit and determination—to transform the lives of these “disposable ones?”

The David Lynch Foundation is proud to present the world premiere of the compelling documentary, “Saving the Disposable Ones,” directed by the BBC award-winning documentarian (and DLF.TV Executive Producer) Stuart Tanner. The full-length 60 minute documentary will be will be screened in select cities following the premiere on April 8, in Fairfield, IA. Based on previous viewings, I am anticipating an overwhelming response to this gut-wrenching yet inspiring video.

This compelling documentary takes you through the heartbreaking streets of inner city Colombia, where Father Gabriel Mejia is transforming the lives of thousands of abandoned children by providing shelter, love and Transcendental Meditation.

Although, the film is not available to see outside of the screenings, DLF.TV is showcasing a 7-minute extended trailer which has had a very similar response. You can watch the trailer and be a part of the conversation here.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY:

The film documents the work of Father Gabriel Mejia. Starting in Medellin in the mid-1980’s, Father Gabriel opened the first Center de Hogares Claret: a place where children could come for a good meal and a safe place to sleep. In the late 1980’s, he traveled to the United States where he learned Transcendental Meditation. He knew immediately that he had found the answer to the overwhelming stress the children suffered from living on the streets. As the power of the drug cartels waned, the number of Father Gabriel’s orphan shelters increased. Now, in 2010, there are 47 shelters under Father Gabriel’s direction, which are spread across all of Colombia. His center of operations in Medellin is the former home of Pablo Escobar, the now deceased drug lord.

As Stuart’s film documents, over time an extraordinary transformation in the lives of the children takes place. They are freed from the torments they endured living on the streets, recover from their drug addictions and begin to gain an education.

The David Lynch Foundation has currently provided over 120,000 scholarships around the world including tens of thousands in Latin America. The proceeds from this premiere will go towards the David Lynch Foundation programs in Latin America, including Father Mejia’s Foundation, providing meditation instruction to at-risk populations. The program is offered on a voluntary basis, at no cost to the school or organization.

Feel free to email me if you want to learn more about the David Lynch Foundation Documentary Series. See some of the projects that DLF will be documenting at http://dlfprojects.org.

2 Comments

Filed under David Lynch Foundation, Documentary

Tagged as Colombia, DLF, DLF.TV, Documentary, extended trailer, Father Gabriel Mejia, Saving the Disposable Ones, World Premiere

March 22, 2010 · 9:10 am

Donovan & Friends – A benefit concert for the David Lynch Foundation

The show sold out as hundreds lined up to get in...

Last Friday, March 19, Donovan and several talented musicians came together for a unique and memorable evening–a benefit concert for the David Lynch Foundation.

Over 1,000 excited guests packed the historic El Rey Theatre on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Live online streaming of the concert extended the audience to thousands over the web. You can watch the replay of the concert on DLF.TV at http://dlf.tv/2010/donovan-live/.

The evening began with performances by opening bands, Everyboy and Blessed Le Strange. There was an auction for a date with actor (and concert host) Matthew St. Patrick that reached $750, and a video about the David Lynch Foundation and implementing Transcendental Meditation in schools. David Lynch himself introduced Donovan, who appeared on stage around 9:30 PM (Los Angeles time). Donovan opened the concert with his classic Sunshine Superman, backed by the band that would accompany him on most of the songs.

Donovan played several of his well-known hits such as, Wear Your Love Like Heaven, Season of the Witch, and Mellow Yellow. He also played some of his more rare songs such as (my favorite) Yellow Star. Donovan was accompanied by a band and his daughter Astrella Celeste for the majority of his set.

Other artists of the evening included: Jerry Vivino, Scott Healy & Rick Reed (from the Conan O’Brien Late Night Band), Lanny Cordola & Matt Sorum (of Guns n Roses and Velvet Revolver), POE, Amrita Sen, Danny Saber (Black Grape/Alice Cooper), Poe, and Carla Olson (Textones).

The promotion for this event took on a life of its own. We had interview spots on every major radio station in LA including KCRW, Breakfast with the Beatles and 100.3 the Sound. Good Day LA ran a great interview with Donovan and Astrella, and LA blogs had a field day announcing the line-up. See an in-depth interview with Donovan on Huffington Post.

The evening’s hosts, Mathew St. Patrick and Adam Gaynor, led a charity auction in between sets. The items up for bid included a 5-hour private meeting with Donovan, in which he offered to talk on any topic, musical or private, with the winner. The auction began with $2500 and reached $4500. There was another auction for a coffee with David Lynch at his house, which started with $1000 and ended in $2000.

Adam Gaynor (Matchbox 20) and Mathew St. Patrick (Six Feet Under) hosted the evening. Love them!

A luxuirous converted movie theater, the El Rey was a perfect Art-Deco venue filled with Donovan fans of all ages.

The Great Donovan...

Bob Roth showed a video about the Foundation and introduced David Lynch.

David Lynch, Russell Brand (DLF supporter) and Bob Roth backstage discussing their next big idea...

Adrien Daller and Erin Skipper (not pictured) were my absolute heroes during this event. No one sees how much goes on behind the scenes, but these girls give their all and always with a smile.