Introduction

On a scorching summer morning back in 2012, I found myself expecting and seated in the back of a limousine with the enigmatic filmmaker David Lynch, cruising down Mulholland Drive. Lynch, then 66, exuded charisma with his slicked-back white hair and sharply tailored blazer. As we navigated through the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles, I prepared to delve into his recent pivot toward promoting Transcendental Meditation (T.M.), a practice that had transformed his life and work.

A Charged Atmosphere

Having previously interviewed Lynch multiple times, I admired his unique perspective and his ability to articulate thoughts with clarity. Yet, on this day, he seemed unusually irritable, perhaps due to following a strict cleanse and the anticipation of his wife Emily giving birth. The atmosphere felt charged with an urgency that lingered long after our conversation.

The Beginning of Lynch's Journey with T.M.

Lynch recounted his history with T.M., which he first encountered in the early 1970s, during a cultural wave that saw many Americans engaging with Eastern philosophies, largely influenced by the Beatles and their guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He vividly described his first meditation session: 'As I’ve told this story a million times, I was given my mantra. I closed my eyes and dove deep into an inexplicable bliss. I realized then that this experience was something I had never encountered before.'

Meditation as a Lifeline

Reflecting on his Hollywood career, he credited meditation with being vital to his survival as an artist. He shared, 'After the dismal response to my film Dune, which I didn't have final cut on, I felt like I died twice. Meditation kept me grounded; it built a reservoir of happiness that helped me weather those challenging moments.'

A Shift in Public Perspective

For years, his meditation practice was solitary. Lynch would often retreat to meditate, keeping it from public view. However, all that shifted in 2002 when he attended Maharishi’s Enlightenment Course in Europe. Despite initial disappointment at Maharishi's absence, he found the experience transformative. He returned from this month-long retreat more resolute than ever to share the healing power of meditation with others.

The David Lynch Foundation

In 2005, Lynch launched the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace, which sought to spread the benefits of T.M. to schools and communities. He became a beacon for meditation, attracting numerous celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga, to embrace the practice. The foundation has since raised over $100 million and taught over a million individuals to meditate, leaving an impressive legacy that still resonates today.

A Tense Conversation

Amid our conversation, Lynch suddenly probed me about my feelings of doubt regarding T.M., to which I was taken aback. My own baggage stemmed from a childhood spent intertwined with the T.M. Movement in Iowa, where I experienced both the philosophy's benefits and its cult-like insularity. While Lynch championed the practice, to me, it recalled the pressures to only think positively, leading to my rejection of those teachings in favor of exploring darker artistic themes through his films—a method that resonated deeply with my adolescent angst.

Unresolved Discord

The ride took a tense turn as we debated the essence of his role in promoting T.M. Lynch stood firm, asserting that his dedication stemmed from the technique itself, not the organizational hierarchy. Yet, in our discord, we failed to find common ground, leaving our discussion unresolved.

Aftermath and Reflection

In the aftermath of our chat, my article reflecting on Lynch's journey and the failures of the T.M. Movement sparked frustration between us. He was hurt by what he perceived as a critique of his artistic output and his meditation advocacy. Subsequently, we lost contact entirely.

A Decade Later

A decade later, however, as life's complexities unfolded, I began to appreciate the true purpose of meditation. When my family faced a stressful transition last summer, I took my teenage daughters to the David Lynch Foundation, where they learned their own mantras. They joke about my T.M. upbringing, but I remain hopeful that the practice, once rooted deep in my own life, will serve them when they need it most.

Conclusion

Reflecting on that earlier conversation, Lynch’s words echo stronger than ever: 'It works.' The ride with him taught me not just about meditation but about the transformative power it can hold—when embraced with an open heart and mind.