Soledad O’Brien:
“The numbers of women and girls who are abused at home, on the streets, and in the line of duty in the military serving our country is staggering, it’s unconscionable. I want to take a moment to share some statistics with you. “Nineteen thousand women veterans have been victims of military sexual abuse in just the past year. Over 100,000 girls under the age of 17 are said to be victims of prostitution in America alone. And the number of women and girls who are raped and tortured and killed in war torn areas is literally beyond estimation and beyond comprehension.
“I applaud all the good works of all the private organizations and governmental agencies that are dedicated to addressing the plight of these women and these girls who suffer such unimaginable wrongs. At the same time I am speaking today in support of the good works of the David Lynch Foundation because it provides something that’s missing in the lives of women and girls – a tool to help them, in their own terms, overcome and heal those terrible traumas and abuse that can grip their lives. That tool is meditation.
“I learned Transcendental Meditation several months ago at the recommendation of my friend Russell Simmons and of course I truly didn’t think I could do it. If you know me, you know I cannot meditate! (Laughing) I have a crazy schedule, I have four small children and I am always going, so the idea of calming my mind I thought, “not possible!” But I was able to learn, I was able to do it, and I appreciate very much the opportunity to take the time to focus and meditate and it allows me to experience a state of deep rest and relaxation that can be game-changing; and sometimes a life saver in a crazy world. It helps alleviate stress and pressure when you’re trying to balance life and being a mother. And as a journalist I feel healthier and have fewer stressful days and more energy and more clarity of mind. So that’s all my own personal experience. So that’s literally why I’m speaking in support of Transcendental Meditation for abused women and girls.
“It’s not just my own experience though that drives my support. Another reason, and a much more important one, is because there’s lots of evidence to show that meditation actually works. You’re going to hear from doctors today that there’s lots of science to back up the claim that Transcendental Meditation is an effective tool in the prevention and the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stress related disorders like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, cardiovascular disease, and even insomnia….”
“It’s my honor to welcome you to this public forum on “Women,Violence and Meditation” hosted by the David Lynch’s Foundation’s women’s initiative and I hope that you are inspired by what you hear, and that you’re motivated to work with the foundation to bring meditation to every woman and girl who needs it.”
