Martin Scorsese is one of the cinema’s most acclaimed directors. Born in New York City in 1942, he was a quiet child with a strong case of asthma, and spent much of his young life alone watching movies. After high school he spent a year in a Catholic seminary preparing to become a priest. He later decided to enroll at New York University and found himself drawn to NYU’s famous film school, where the emerging French and Italian New Wave and independent filmmakers had a profound influence on him.
Films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, and Goodfellas, established Mr. Scorsese as one of the world’s most powerful and poignant filmmakers.
Mr. Scorsese recently spoke, via video, to a benefit gala in New York City in support of the David Lynch Foundation’s outreach to those who suffer from traumatic stress:
“I wanted to offer my support and encouragement in these efforts to help children and veterans, and anyone who needs the help to overcome stress through meditation,” Mr. Scorsese said.
“Of course a lot of drama is projected onto the screens of our consciousness, our minds, day and night—patterns that you learn from childhood, intrigues, resentments, hatreds, and terrors…. The common response is to tough it out. In other words, to suffer. Now, I’ve been a firm believer in suffering all my life. My pictures are kind of volatile, and they certainly can attest to that. Yet, recently, I’ve learned that you may not have to suffer to make them as much. It may not be the way it’s supposed to be.
“For the last few years, I’ve been practicing meditation. It’s difficult to describe the effect it’s had on my life. I can only mention maybe a few words: calm, clarity, a balance, and, at times, a recognition. It’s made a difference.
“On this night, as you’re trying to raise the funds necessary to bring Transcendental Meditation to students, veterans, homeless men and women, native Americans, anyone suffering from strong stress, I want to thank you. I encourage all of you gathered here tonight to support this foundation. Thanks and goodnight.”
Related posts:
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- Russell Simmons loves yoga and meditation
- Clint Eastwood, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Katy Perry, Russell Simmons, Donna Karan, Russell Brand—coming together to support the David Lynch Foundation
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
What more do you need to say?
That taxi driver movie was really good he played in. i would recommend that
Coming from such an intense and thought provoking director, what more could one say about the benefits of meditation?
I was very surprised to find out Mr. Scorsese does TM.His comments on not needing to suffer in life are particularly of interest.Many artists and other creative people still cling to the idea that pain is a kind of prerequisite for the creative process.I’m looking forward to his next picture!
Mr. Scorsese says he practices meditation. He does not say he does TM.
Come on Ric. Really? Martin takes the time to make a video in support of a fund raiser for TM and you are implying that he doesn’t do TM? When he states that he meditates but he doesn’t specifically say Transcendental Meditation, you want to put doubt in people’s minds when the evidence in front of you points clearly that he does do TM? He is doing a video in support of TM! Why do you want to create doubt Ric?
He and David are trying to help people who have suffered trauma and you are trying to put doubt in people’s minds. Don’t you have anything else to do while these good people are trying to help people?
I learned TM in 1976. It was right after college. It only cost me $65.00. I did it twice a day, 20 minutes each time for 25 years. Then I stopped because I thought it took too much time. I saw an article in the Sunday New York Times a few moths ago about TM. That story caused me to return to TM meditation and I haven’t looked back since. I feel that i have gotten my full $65.00 worth and I plan to continue for the rest of my life.
Hey, been a meditor since 1974 and Goodfellas is one of my favorite movies. Very cool
Practicing T.M, is a great experience, even the thought of going to sit for a meditation itself brings wonderful feeling. By observing our thought it brings you to the great path of relaxation.
I am doing TM for more than 25 years and the experience is wonderful!
Even though there are certain “downward” trends in the practice like shortage of time, the basic principle on which the practice has been done is great…The more I dive within, the more happy I become…As His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has said—Diversity is only in the material world—-There is perfect coherence and Unity in the Inner Level or Unified Field—Thanks.
Mr. Scorsese’s sincerity is touching. I’m glad he is enjoying the benefits of TM. I’m glad he is willing to give public support to it.