27 June 2009

Hundreds of people flocked to the first public introductory presentation of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) Programme ever held in Vietnam, which took place recently in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The presentation was organized by a native of Vietnam, who this year completed training as a Teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Programme. After living in the USA for many years, he returned to Vietnam to establish teaching activities there. Working on behalf of the Global Country of World Peace—the organization established by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the Transcendental Meditation Programme—this Teacher is bringing to his homeland the scientifically verified benefits of TM, learnt by millions of people around the world over the past 50 years.

He and several international Teachers of Transcendental Meditation made a three-week tour of the country, meeting with community leaders, and presenting at a hospital to 200 doctors.

A large public lecture was coordinated by the UNESCO organization for cultural exchange at the Vietnam Press Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Approximately 500 people telephoned in response to an advertisement, headlined 'TM to unfold the full potential of life', requesting seats at the lecture. The conference hall held about 350 people, and approximately 300 had to be turned away after signing up for future meetings.

Among numerous presenters, Dr Gerry Bodeker, professor of Public Health at Oxford University, England, spoke about the health benefits of Transcendental Meditation.

Four national television stations covered the event. The overwhelming response 'indicates how much the people of Vietnam appreciate the idea of inner development,' said one of the visiting TM Teachers. 'Vietnam is a country that is very focused on outer development, but it's so gratifying to see that the population realizes that inner peace is the basis of outer success.'