Consciousness, Transcendental Meditation and David Lynch
David Lynch | Source: The Guardian
As a teenager I first discovered the work of David Lynch with Twin Peaks. It was 1990. That pilot episode blew my mind, exploding my imagination. I was an instant fan of the show and later of all of his work.
Last week David Lynch, the artist and film maker passed away. He’d had a long and prolific career. His work impacting and inspiring so many people through its uniquely enigmatic and surrealist style. ‘Lynchian’ is now a meme.
There’s also another part to Lynch’s life that arguably touched and impacted even more people. That was his practice and championing of Transcendental Meditation. In 2006 he became a public figure advocating for TM with the publication of his book, ‘Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity’.
I discovered this part of his life in 2008 following an interview discussing his process of film making. The interviewer asked, “Where do your ideas come from?”. David’s response, “From Transcendental Meditation and diving within.” He explained:
“…Transcendental Meditation is an ancient mental technique; a practice that allows any human being to dive within, transcend and experience the source of everything. The thing about meditation is you become more and more you. Inside every human being is an ocean of pure, vibrant consciousness. When you transcend in Transcendental Meditation, you dive down into that ocean of pure consciousness. You splash into it. And it’s bliss.”
I decided to learn Transcendental Meditation. I found a local TM teacher in Shepherd’s Bush, London. I attended an intro talk on a Thursday evening where I signed up and then learned the practice that weekend. I’ve been meditating twice a day, every day since.
The experience of meditation is a gift, a gift from the source of consciousness. It’s the feeling of deep peace, stillness, connection and expansion of awareness.
Levels of abstraction
From this deepest place is the greatest abstraction, the transcendent. This is level zero — that place of pure, unbounded consciousness.
From this connection to the bliss and peace of pure consciousness, the ‘within-ness’, ascend to level one: From pure abstraction into the specific — a place of being in relationship with self and others. Seeing self and others as self and others, as people; whole, conscious beings in relationship — an intertwining of interactions.
Up further to the next level, level two: Awareness and consciousness specifically in action. The interactions with each other in relationship; family, friendships, team, partnerships, collaborations of shared endeavours of goals and outcomes. The active manifestation of people in relationship in the world: coordinated, motivated, harmonious, productive.
It all starts from the conscious depths within. Then upwards and outwards towards a fulfilment of expression in relation to self and others.
My invitation to all: Learn to meditate. Learn to transcend and connect with that inner peacefulness, wholeness, connection and bliss.
Thank you David Lynch.
Jai Guru Dev