TM is a fantastic addition to my tool box

David Lynch 1946-2025

First Responders Malibu pays tribute to David Lynch, an award-winning American filmmaker (Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks) who recently passed.

What is our connection to the visionary filmmaker?  Since 1975 he daily practiced TM, a technique founded by Maharishi Mahest Yoga in 1973.   He gave credit to the TM technique for his creativity, energy, and happiness, and introduced it to the NY Fire Department after 9/11.  Since FRR opened in February 2024 the David Lynch Foundation has sent private instructors to Malibu to teach TM to virtually all of our fire fighters, sheriffs, police officers, prison guards.  

Rest in peace David Lynch and thank you for contributing to the recovery of our patients.

LA County Deputy Sheriff: “I was offered Transcendental Meditation, where you learn to go deep in yourself. Thoughts come in. Thoughts go out. I felt it very calming. You do it twice a day for 20 minutes and it's only going to get better the instructor said.   It's incredible.  It's definitely helped me. It's probably something if I had heard of it I never would pursue.”

LA County Deputy Sheriff #2:  “The TM was fantastic.  I spoke to the other client that's here with me. I spoke to him after our sessions with the TM instructor. I have never felt so relaxed ever in my life. the other client explained to me what was TM and I said okay I'm open to it.  I I'll try it out.  It was amazing experience and that's something that I'm going to keep for the rest of my life because it puts me in a really relaxing State. Ever since TM my sleep has been better. The totality of it brought down my anxiety, to zero my depression to zero.  I used to have nightmares either five times a night or five times a week now I probably only have one or two a week so and they don't last long.”

CAL FIRE firefighter:  “Transcendental Meditation has been very helpful.  One of the biggest tools that I've added to my toolbox. That's really mellowed me out and helped me.   I had never heard about it in my whole life…You let everything on the top surface of your brain settle down. You need this coaching at first, so we did five sessions.   First session was over Zoom the last four were in person, an hour apiece.  Now, on my own, I do two 20 minute sessions each day, once when I wake up and once in the afternoon.  It is recharging to me, it energizes me, it gives me a reboot. I feel a calming that I've never felt before.”

State Prison Guard: “One of the classes that I took when I was in Malibu was the TM class. And that really, really helped me.  It teaches you a way to meditate. And how it's helped me is that's part of my daily routine. You know, I'll meditate during the day, and I'll also do it before I go to bed.”

From LA County Sheriff 3:  “I did like the transcendental meditation. I didn't have that the other facilities.  We had “meditation.”  It was not taught.  It was just close your eyes and think. Here at Malibu they offer “transcendental meditation” as a three, four-day course.  It’s something very simple which brings great understanding.”

Cal Fire firefighter #2:  “TM was pro bono, which was amazing, because I have a feeling it's not cheap either.  It works and it is quality meditation.”

What happens when after the first 4-5 days in Malibu, Dr. Benya and her team have you feeling better and ready to slowly resume life. We offer therapeutic programs like art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, cooking classes – and if eligible, a chance to participate in “The Resilient Responders Program” founded by the foundation of Oscar-winning director David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune). 

For more than 15 years the Center for Resilience, a 501-C nonprofit, has successfully delivered the evidence-based, trauma-healing Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique to several targeted populations -- including military veterans, firefighters and law enforcement --documented the benefit of TM for reducing symptoms of PTSD, stress, anxiety, substance use disorder and hypertension. TM is a simple, easy to learn, effortless technique which allows the body to gain a unique state of profound rest and relaxation while the mind simultaneously settles down to a state of inner calm and wakefulness – without concentration or effort. The TM technique is practiced sitting comfortably for 15-20 minutes a day. 

Salvatore Cassano was a chief with the New York City Fire Department during September 11th. He saw the Twin Towers come down. He remembers everything that day. He can’t forget. He doesn’t want to. After the attack he led FDNY’s effort to rebuild the Fire Department after they lost 343 members of the FDNY on Sept 11th. In 2011, he was promoted to FDNY Commissioner and learned TM. “Meditating is easier than I ever imagined. I get more done in the hours after meditating than I would if I just worked right through the day. I am clearer, more focused, and I enjoy my life much more—an unexpected benefit that I never saw coming.” Commissioner Cassano helped bring a pilot TM program to NYC firefighters through a partnership between the Center for Resilience and the FDNY.