Editing David Lynch (section)

===Transcendental Meditation===
{{Main|David Lynch Foundation}}
[[File:David Lynch at Town Hall.jpg|thumb|upright|Lynch speaking on [[Transcendental Meditation]] and the creative process in 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=Filmmaker David Lynch explains how to catch big ideas (Lecture) |url=http://www.new.prx.org/pieces/19719#description |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531190241/http://www.new.prx.org/pieces/19719 |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |publisher=KUOW-FM}}</ref>]]
Lynch advocated Transcendental Meditation as a spiritual practice.<ref name="NS 2013">{{cite web |last=Lynch |first=David |date=October 31, 2013 |title=David Lynch on meditation: Heaven is a place on earth |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/2013/10/heaven-place-earth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031225647/http://www.newstatesman.com/2013/10/heaven-place-earth |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=November 2, 2013 |work=[[New Statesman]]}}</ref> He was initiated into Transcendental Meditation in July 1973, and practiced the technique consistently thereafter.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=David |date=July 3, 2008 |title=The pleasure of life grows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/03/healthandwellbeing.davidlynch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307154324/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/03/healthandwellbeing.davidlynch |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |access-date=December 11, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref><ref name="WP-12-01-2005">{{cite news |last=Booth |first=William |date=December 2, 2005 |title=Yogi Bearer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/01/AR2005120101798.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110121711/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/01/AR2005120101798.html |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Lynch said he met [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]], the founder of the [[Transcendental Meditation movement|TM movement]], for the first time in 1975 at the [[Spiritual Regeneration Movement]] center in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Claire |date=March 12, 2012 |title=David Lynch's Guru and His Art |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/02/david_lynch_talks_about_the_de.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312155601/http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/02/david_lynch_talks_about_the_de.html |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kress |first=Michael |title=David Lynch's Peace Plan |url=http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Celebrities/David-Lynchs-Peace-Plan.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724223417/http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Celebrities/David-Lynchs-Peace-Plan.aspx |archive-date=July 24, 2010 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |website=BeliefNet.com}}</ref> He became close with the Maharishi during a month-long "Millionaire's Enlightenment Course" held in 2003, the fee for which was $1 million.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Barkham |first2=Patrick |date=January 27, 2009 |title=And now children, it's time for your yogic flying lesson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jan/27/david-lynch-meditation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812000251/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jan/27/david-lynch-meditation |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |access-date=December 11, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref>

In July 2005, Lynch launched the [[David Lynch Foundation|David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and Peace]],<ref name="Williams" /><ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/message.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111000427/https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/message.html |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |work=David Lynch Foundation For Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace}}</ref> established to help finance scholarships for students in middle and high schools who are interested in learning Transcendental Meditation and to fund research on the technique and its effects on learning. Together with [[John Hagelin]] and Fred Travis, a brain researcher from [[Maharishi University of Management]] (MUM), Lynch promoted his vision on college campuses with a tour that began in September 2005.<ref>{{cite web |year=2005 |title=David Lynch – John Hagelin Tour Inspires Thousands of College Students on East and West Coasts |url=http://istpp.org/news/2005_09_lynchtour.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723222120/http://istpp.org/news/2005_09_lynchtour.html |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |publisher=Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy}}</ref> Lynch was on MUM's board of trustees<ref>{{cite press release |title=Filmmaker David Lynch to Give 2016 Commencement Address at Maharishi University of Management |date=April 18, 2016 |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/filmmaker-david-lynch-give-2016-commencement-address-maharishi-university-management-2115565.htm |access-date=January 28, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128021130/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/filmmaker-david-lynch-give-2016-commencement-address-maharishi-university-management-2115565.htm |archive-date=January 28, 2018 |work=Marketwire}}</ref> and hosted an annual "David Lynch Weekend for World Peace and Meditation" there, beginning in 2005.<ref name="Reimer">{{cite magazine |last=Reimer |first=Emily |date=October 30, 2009 |title=Fourth Annual David Lynch Weekend for World Peace and Meditation Taking Place in Iowa |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/10/4th-annual-david-lynch-weekend-for-worldpeace-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105113841/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/10/4th-annual-david-lynch-weekend-for-worldpeace-and.html |archive-date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=November 15, 2009 |magazine=Paste Magazine}}</ref> The foundation has also funded meditation lessons for veterans and other "at-risk" populations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hackman |first1=Rose |date=November 4, 2015 |title=David Lynch and Katy Perry promote meditation with Carnegie Hall event |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/04/david-lynch-transcendental-meditation-luxury-fad |access-date=January 17, 2025 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

Lynch was working for the building and establishment of seven buildings in which 8,000 salaried people would practice advanced meditation techniques, "pumping peace for the world". He estimated the cost at US$7&nbsp;[[1,000,000,000|billion]]. As of December 2005, he had spent $400,000 of his money and raised $1&nbsp;million in donations.<ref name="WP-12-01-2005" /> In December 2006, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that he continued to have that goal.<ref name="Williams" /> Lynch's book ''[[Catching the Big Fish]]'' (2006) discusses Transcendental Meditation's effect on his creative process. Lynch attended the Maharishi's funeral in India in 2008.<ref name="Stevens" /> He told a reporter, "In life, he revolutionized the lives of millions of people. ... In 20, 50, 500 years there will be millions of people who will know and understand what the Maharishi has done."<ref>{{cite news |last=Mukherjee |first=Krittivas |date=February 11, 2008 |title=West meets East on guru Mahesh Yogi's funeral pyre |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-31875220080211 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112221917/http://in.reuters.com/article/2008/02/11/idINIndia-31875220080211 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2010 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In 2009, Lynch went to India to film interviews with people who knew the Maharishi as part of a biographical documentary.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 18, 2009 |title=David Lynch to shoot film about TM guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/david-lynch-to-shoot-film-about-tm-guru-maharishi-mahesh-yogi-in-india_100276506.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127062011/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/david-lynch-to-shoot-film-about-tm-guru-maharishi-mahesh-yogi-in-india_100276506.html |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2010 |work=Thaindian News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |date=November 18, 2009 |title=David Lynch to make film about Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi |url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-beatles/48442 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421200330/http://www.nme.com/news/the-beatles/48442 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |work=[[NME]]}}</ref>

[[File:David Lynch Paris Oct 2007.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Lynch dedicating his book ''Catching the Big Fish'' in Paris on the occasion of his World Tour in 2007.]]

In 2009, Lynch organized a benefit concert at [[Radio City Music Hall]] for the David Lynch Foundation. On April 4, 2009, the "Change Begins Within" concert featured [[Paul McCartney]], [[Ringo Starr]], [[Donovan]], [[Sheryl Crow]], [[Eddie Vedder]], [[Moby]], [[Bettye LaVette]], [[Ben Harper]], and [[Mike Love]].<ref name="NYT-04-04-09">{{cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Pareles |date=April 4, 2009 |title=Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reunite at Radio City |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/paul-mccartney-ringo-starr-reunite-at-radio-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408171838/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/paul-mccartney-ringo-starr-reunite-at-radio-city/ |archive-date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> ''[[David Wants to Fly]]'' is a 2010 documentary by German filmmaker David Sieveking "that follows the path of his professional idol, David Lynch, into the world of Transcendental Meditation (TM)".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2010 |title=German Documentaries 2010 |url=http://german-documentaries.de/media/pdf/german-documentaries_10.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719031922/http://german-documentaries.de/media/pdf/german-documentaries_10.pdf |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |access-date=May 7, 2010 |work=german-documentaries.de |page=17 |quote=The young filmmaker David Sieveking follows the path of his professional idol, David Lynch, into the world of Transcendental Meditation (TM).}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Alissa |date=February 14, 2010 |title=Review: 'David Wants to Fly' |url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942181.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&nid=2562 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229173815/http://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/david-wants-to-fly-1117942181/ |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=Variety |quote='David Wants to Fly' follows German writer-helmer David Sieveking on his road to enlightenment, a journey that involves David Lynch, various headquarters of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement and the icy source of the Ganges.}}</ref> At the end of the film, Sieveking becomes disillusioned with the TM movement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Für Lynch bin ich ein Feind |trans-title='To Lynch I am an enemy' |url=https://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/fuer-lynch-bin-ich-ein-feind_aid-561039 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101133735/https://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/fuer-lynch-bin-ich-ein-feind_aid-561039 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |language=de}}</ref>

An independent project starring Lynch called ''Beyond The Noise: My Transcendental Meditation Journey'', directed by Dana Farley, who has severe dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, was shown at film festivals in 2011,<ref>{{cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Beyond The Noise |url=http://dlf.tv/2010/beyond-the-noise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908003911/http://dlf.tv/2010/beyond-the-noise/ |archive-date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=August 24, 2010 |work=David Lynch Foundation}}</ref> including the Marbella Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=List of 2011 documentaries |url=http://www.marbellafilmfestival.com/archives/awards-2011/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318123254/http://www.marbellafilmfestival.com/archives/awards-2011/ |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |publisher=Marbella Film Festival}}</ref> Filmmaker [[Kevin Sean Michaels]] is one of the producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705102/ |title=Beyond the Noise: My Transcendental Meditation Journey |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> In 2013, Lynch wrote: "Transcendental Meditation leads to a beautiful, peaceful revolution. A change from suffering and negativity to happiness and a life more and more free of any problems."<ref name="NS 2013" />

In a 2019 interview by British artist [[Alexander de Cadenet]], Lynch said: "Here's an experience that utilizes the full brain. That's what it's for. It's for enlightenment, for higher states of consciousness, culminating in the highest state of unity consciousness."<ref>{{cite web |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Post |url=https://www.awakenedartists.com/post/2019/09/19/david-lynch-on-transcendental-meditation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220130659/https://www.awakenedartists.com/post/2019/09/19/david-lynch-on-transcendental-meditation |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |website=awakenedartists |language=en}}</ref> In April 2022, Lynch announced a $500 million transcendental meditation world peace initiative to fund transcendental meditation for 30,000 college students.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=April 15, 2022 |title=David Lynch Launches $500 Million Transcendental Meditation World Peace Initiative |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/04/david-lynch-transcendental-meditation-world-peace-initiative-1234716956/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=IndieWire |language=en}}</ref> In September 2024, Lynch made his last published broadcast speech at Meditate America 2024. He discussed the Beatles' (particularly [[John Lennon]]'s) practice of TM during [[The Beatles in India|their visit to India in 1968]] and played a cover of "[[Across the Universe]]".