Paul, Ringo to reunite to promote meditation

Mar. 09, 2009
By Jay Lustig, Religion News Service

NEW YORK (RNS) More than 40 years after they traveled to India to study transcendental meditation, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will reunite for the cause.

The only two surviving Beatles, who rarely appear in public together, will perform at "Paul McCartney and Friends: Change Begins Within," an April 4 benefit at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Proceeds will go to the meditation-promoting David Lynch Foundation, with the goal of teaching a million at-risk children to meditate.

McCartney said in a news release he has benefited from practicing meditation over the last four decades.

"In moments of madness, it has helped me find moments of serenity," he said. Of the goal to help children learn to meditate, he added, "I would like to think that it would help provide them a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world."

In the same news release, Starr called the aims of the charity "wonderful."

It is not known to what extent McCartney and Starr will perform together. Other performers will include Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Moby, Paul Horn, Bettye LaVette and Jim James (of the band My Morning Jacket).

Donovan and Horn studied transcendental meditation along with the Beatles in India, in 1968. Their instructor, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, died last year.

Filmmaker Lynch ("Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive," "The Elephant Man") will serve as a presenter at the event, as will other celebrities including Russell Simmons and Laura Dern.

This is great! It's wonderful

Submitted by laughing crow (not verified) on Mar. 12, 2009.

This is great! It's wonderful to see the surviving Beatles getting back to spreading the word about meditation.

And what a worthy cause. Transcendental Meditation could actually be among the best things to spend money on for our kids. Just look at the scientific research verifying TM's benefits, and check out what doctors and researchers from medical schools are saying about TM at www.DoctorsonTM.org . The NIH has so far spent $24 million researching TM's effects on brain function and cardiovascular health, and the grants keep coming.

Recent stories in the New York Times, L.A. Times and elsewhere have reassessed the Beatles' relationship with TM's founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, looking more closely at the facts than the rumors that swept the news media in the 1960s.

Here's an informative Website addressing the Beatles' “India experience” and clarifying what really happened between the Beatles and Maharishi.

www.beatlesinindia.blogspot.com

It's good the truth is finally coming out.

This is wonderful. The

Submitted by Mike S (not verified) on Mar. 29, 2009.

This is wonderful. The beatles were a big part of what got me into meditation in the first place. I've added this story to spiri2al.com, please stop by and vote for it if you get the chance :)

http://www.spiri2al.com/Meditation/paul-ringo-to-reunite-to-promote-medi...

The children I know

Submitted by Jean Tobin (not verified) on Mar. 31, 2009.

The children I know personally who practice the TM Technique excel in life. They have a deep confidence and independence rarely seen in young people their age. David Lynch, Paul McCartney, Ringo Star and everyone involved are doing a great thing. This is something that will concretely help these children and young people. If they want to, and if their parents approve, they will learn Transcendental Meditation (go to: tm.org) at a young age. It's a technique they can do their entire lives, which will continue to bring them health benefits, as well as helping them reach their full mental potential regardless of their circumstances.

The Beatles and

Submitted by Dr. Keith DeBoer (not verified) on Mar. 31, 2009.

The Beatles and Transcendental Meditation! Two of my favorite things in life!
For more information on TM see Transcendental Meditation