NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- ABC's top-rated morning talk show, Good Morning America, presented a discussion on the impact of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique on people's lives, and the charitable initiatives in bringing the technique to at-risk populations, including inner city youth, abused women, homeless people, and veterans and soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder. 

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Free instruction in the TM technique has been provided to more than 250,000 at-risk youth and adults through the David Lynch Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by award-winning filmmaker David Lynch. 

Appearing on the show were Bob Roth, the Foundations' executive director, and comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who said he has been practicing the TM technique for 40 years. Seinfeld commented "You know how your phone has a charger? It's like if you had a charger for your whole body and mind. That's what TM is."

Roth explained how the TM technique works to eliminate stress. "There are very active, noisy levels of the mind—but every human being has deep within a settled, calm, silent level of the mind. Transcendental Meditation is just an effortless way to have the active, excited mind settle down to experience that inner calm. At the same time the body gains a very deep state of rest—and that rest eliminates stress. It also wakes up the brain."

Seinfeld and Roth were interviewed by George Stephanopoulos, who hosts Good Morning America as well as ABC's top-rated Sunday morning political talk show, This Week. A two-year TM practitioner himself, Stephanopoulos commented that "people don't understand what a difference it's made in people's lives."

Roth cited several health benefits, including the findings of a recent study published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation which showed that Transcendental Meditation reduces high blood pressure, the risk of stroke and mortality rates by almost 50% among people who have been meditating for five years.

Stephanopoulos commented on the Foundation's role in helping at-risk children, soldiers returning from combat with post-traumatic stress, and women who have been the victims of violence.

About the Transcendental Meditation technique

The TM technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. Extensive peer-reviewed research studies have found that TM reduces stress and anxiety, improves learning ability, and promotes wellness.

The TM technique is available in the USA through Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and foundations, full TM scholarships have been given to more than 250,000 at-risk children, veterans suffering from PTSD, homeless people, and others.

To view this video on YouTube, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T6uAMaRH3g

Media Contact: Christian Hoffman Maharishi Foundation USA, 360-447-8108, christianh@tm.org

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SOURCE Maharishi Foundation USA