Why were you drawn to African PTSD Relief?
Paul:
As a survivor of childhood abuse, I know firsthand how powerful Transcendental Meditation (TM) is to heal PTSD wounds. It was this facet - healing - that drew me to the practice in the first place. (I learned TM in Alaska in 1973.) The people being taught in Africa suffered abuse far worse than mine and the possibility of bringing them relief - and direct knowledge of the power of TM to do this - inspired me.
Is that the only reason?
Paul:
In the 70's, when I was in my late 20's, I was part of a team that taught TM to convicts in California prisons, including Folsom Prison, San Quentin and Duel Vocational Institution. Prisons are environments of extreme stress, violence and depression. We saw immediate and lasting effects from inmates and staff learning TM. Less violence, less depression and less recidivism. A landmark study out of UC Berkeley showed a significant reduction in returns to prison by prisoners who meditated. I saw first hand how powerful the experience of transcendence was on a life. Its power to heal a life is impressive.
You were a reporter and anchorman for 2 decades, with 2 Emmy Awards and an Edward R Murrow Award for journalism to your name. Did TM help you as a reporter?
Paul:
In every way. Television news is a high stress, demanding, exacting profession. Without TM, my ability to compete would have been reduced significantly. In TV news, management expects high-performance and competence every day. It is not for the faint of heart. Additionally, you are competing with other smart creative aggressive reporters in your market. More than a few of my colleagues turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with that stress. TM was my secret weapon for competition that always gave me an edge, without side-effects. As a reporter, you are called on to 'get it first, get it fast and get it right' every day, and deliver it live the majority of the time. TM gave me consistent creativity, intuition, stamina and an ability to deal with the enormous performance pressures of 'live' television. It looks easy when you're sitting at home watching. It is not.
TM, and the advanced program, the TM Sidhis, and Maharishi Ayurveda were my most valued resource for the 20 years I spent in television. Ayurveda was key in staying and looking healthy naturally
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You were recently interviewed by Discovery Investigations for your work - your reporting on the capture of a serial killer in the late 90's for which you received the Edward R Murrow award. Did your meditation practice play a role in that story?
Paul:
Absolutely yes. TM develops intuition. It is something beyond a hunch. It is a clear vision deep into things because there is so much quiet in the mind. With that, it is easier to pick up subtle clues and critical threads of cause and effect. Along with good investigative skills, it is an absolutely priceless skill to have as a reporter. I had an insight into where this individual was likely going to go as he fled across the country, killing women along the way. I acted on that insight and was able to be in the right place at the right time on the day of his capture in Richmond Kentucky, by Kentucky State Police. The man, Glen Rogers, was tried and convicted and is presently on death row in Florida.
What can we do to help African PTSD Relief?
Paul:
Support the instruction of PTSD victims in African by donating or volunteering. There are currently 10,000 people on a waiting list to learn TM. These people are waiting for instruction. These are people who have suffered horrific acts of violence and trauma so great, their lives are crippled by PTSD. TM is bringing them deep relief in a very short period of time. Donations go directly to instruction.
Every penny helps. We need to raise $500,000 to meet the need for instruction.
Paul has two Emmy Awards for reporting and years of experience in marketing and social media. Paul joined the African PTSD Relief team in September.
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