A local group of prominent physicians, business leaders, and other professionals who practice the Transcendental Meditation technique are launching Meditate Southwest Virginia.
Meditate Southwest Virginia will highlight the crisis of escalating stress and anxiety among local residents—and showcase the research-proven health benefits of Transcendental Meditation for both adults and children.
A news conference will be held at Grandin CoLab in Roanoke and feature local meditating professionals as well as a group meditation. The news conference will follow the live stream of the national inauguration of Meditate America, hosted by Hugh Jackman and featuring Dr. Tony Nader, neuroscientist, global TM expert and bestselling author of “Consciousness Is All There Is;” US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy; and women’s health advocate and NBC News Special Anchor Maria Shriver.
Meditate America is a national public awareness campaign being launched simultaneously in more than 50 cities showcasing the evidence-based benefits of meditation as an antidote to the escalating stress levels in the whole country.
During the local campaign, which will run through Nov. 12, free TM Info sessions will be hosted for this region, course fees to learn Transcendental Meditation will be reduced by up to 50 percent, and the “Meditate Southwest Virginia Fund” is being created to provide scholarships for TM instruction for people in need.
Dr. Karl Saliba, a Roanoke optometrist says he feels meditation can assist his patients.
“I see patients daily who, although they are coming to me for eye treatments, have so much stress, anxiety and depression that I feel compelled to do something,” said Saliba. “The intensity of the politics, gun violence, family issues, has everyone on edge. The stress level in the community seems to be at an unprecedented level. Meditation is an important prescription that I recommend to my patients. I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation myself for 45 years and know the benefits firsthand.”
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, easily learned technique, practiced for 20 minutes twice daily, and has been learned by more than 10 million people of all ages, religions, and walks of life. Over 400 published studies have found TM to be a highly effective technique for reducing stress-related disorders, including PTSD, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, while increasing creativity, energy, and focus. Transcendental Meditation courses are taught through a nonprofit educational organization.
For more information about Meditate Southwest Virginia, contact Dr. Leopold Campbell, lcampbell@tm.org, (704) 591-2819. For more information about Transcendental Meditation, please visit TM.org.