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ARMENIA
May 2024
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TM ACTIVITIES
A brief summary of all the wonderful work of the Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia. To see the full report: READ MORE HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A ten-fold increase of initiations per year, there are now 9 TM teachers and 2 TM centres.
- A National Administrator has been hired to organize finances and outreach through social media and other means.
- One day courses to deepen meditator’s experiences.
- A program has begun to teach up to 100,000 Artsakh refugees who need financial support for reducing their trauma.
- New TM Sidhi program just began in May, led by Svetlana Galstyan with 8 participants.
- We attended a Education and Career Expo April 10-12
- Anahit Chilingaryan attended a Rock Talk conference and spoke about TM. One attendee learned TM from her.
An experience of one of the refugees from Artsakh, many with trauma and PTSD:
“Being in total blockade for 9 months in Artsakh, living in starvation and under the fire of the enemy, I had found myself in the stormy whirlpool of life. I got choked and drowned in this whirlpool because of war and deportation from my home and homeland. This course on TM got me out of the whirlpool and I was reborn. The TM course brought me back to life.”
– GT, 36 years old, physicist, refugee from Artsakh
GOALS
Ongoing efforts are in place to create a 400+ group – twice the super radiance number to prevent war, violence and trauma for Armenia and the region. – Economic self-sufficiency for Armenian TM Movement through teaching and other modes of support.
For regular updates on activities of Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia:
• Facebook • X/Twitter • Alliance for PTSD Recovery
The cost of teaching a war victim (often with PTSD), is $50.00 USD. Save a life today.
From left to right 1-3, Education and Career Expo. 4 Anahit Chilingaryan at Rock Talk
March 2024
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2024
A brief summary of all the wonderful work of the Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia. To see the full report: READ MORE HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 25 Governors and Sidhas attended the 10K course in India and enjoyed the deeper experiences and harmony of the big group.
- Dr. Ani Kalaiyjan, adjunct professor of psychology at Columbia University and founder of Meaningful World, said that TM helps them become grounded so they are not overwhelmed by the trauma of the victims. She has invited TM teachers to continue to work with her in Armenia and around the world on future projects, specifically in Palestine when she goes there. See Newsletter on Meaningful world here.
- The Yeghegnadzor TM Centre continues to support and teach TM to refugees from Artsakh. This is a direct PTSD Recovery project designed to bring relief and recovery from PTSD to those in greatest need.
MONTHLY KNOWLEDGE MEETINGS
- The first meeting included Dr. Fred Travis and Dr. Craig Pearson, who talked about current studies measuring changes in brain wave functioning and in RNA and protein production during the 2-week 10K Assembly in India.
- Special knowledge courses for Sidhas and Governors to allow them to do longer program to deepen experiences.
EXPERIENCES
- Experience of an Artsakh refugee: I came to learn Transcendental Meditation (TM) to be rid of the stress and tension I had gathered in Artsakh. TM has improved my sleep and I feel calmer. I am glad to join the group meditations. – M.B. age 34, first 2 weeks of TM practice
- Armenian Trauma psychologist Margo Sargsyan explains her challenges and how TM helped her stay calm and balanced while trying to help war trauma victims.
For regular updates on activities of Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia:
• Facebook • X/Twitter • Alliance for PTSD Recovery
The cost of teaching a war victim (often with PTSD), is $50.00 USD. Save a life today.
Below top: (Left to right) Dr Ani Kalayjian, MoD Maureen Wynn, Dr Fred Travis, Margo Sargsyan Bottom (left to right): Armenia group photo at the 10K course in India, Marine.
November 2023
22 ARMENIANS TO ATTEND THE 10,000 FOR WORLD PEACE ASSEMBLY
A brief summary of all the wonderful work of the Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia. To see the full report: READ MORE HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 22 Armenians will attend the 10,000 for World Peace thanks to generous donors.
- TM for free: Displaced Artsakh people, & Yeghegnadzor people to reduce PTSD.
- Two successful WPAs via Zoom to increase coherence in the country.
- New article in Elephant Journal: TM’s role for Armenian PTSD and trauma. Read
NATIONAL YAGYAS
National Yagyas performed to maximise coherence for Armenia and the region and help boost successful TM teaching and thus create large coherence groups.
For regular updates on activities of Alliance for PTSD Recovery in Armenia:
• Facebook • X/Twitter: 4PTSDRecovery • Alliance for PTSD Recovery
The cost of teaching a war victim (often with PTSD), is $50.00 USD. Save a life today.
Below: Armenian Meditators with TM Teachers. Bottom left: National Director Svetlana Galstyan with her meditating family. See the READ MORE for more information and inspiring personal experiences of Armenian meditators recovering from PTSD and stress.
September 2023
TM ACTIVITIES CONTINUE STRONGLY IN ARMENIA
Gayane taught and worked to form a group in villages near the conflict zone. She taught over 40 local residents including the wife of the mayor who oversees 19 local villages. Here are some experiences from new meditators she taught:
- I was very nervous and could get angry quickly and easily. With TM, I have a feeling of lightness. I am calmer now. I had chronic headaches. They are gone.’ – HG teacher
- ‘Since learning TM, my negative and recurring thoughts and fears have decreased. Every time I do this meditation, I feel like I am getting rid of old fears, fatigue, tension, and stress. I feel very calm. This technique works very quickly. I feel the positive effect of TM very rapidly.’ – Nane, 32
Across Armenia, many people suffer from war trauma. Here is one student of Rafayela talking about improvements within the first week of TM practice:
- ‘I had fears and recurring negative thoughts. Thanks to TM they all disappeared. Now my mind is clear and free from disturbing thoughts. From the very first day of learning TM, my problem with eyesight has been solved, and now I can write easily without glasses. I feel very deep peace.’– Rafayela
Jon Gyumishyan mentors 3 new Governors who live on the border in July and August to support their teaching skills.
For more in-depth information: Newsletter for Armenia. Click HERE to read it.
Matching Donations
To support TM teaching to war trauma victims in Armenia, as well as outreach to form a 400 group, a $10,000 matching fund has been set up. So far $3000 has been donated. The following $7000 will be doubled.
To donate:
- Please visit aptsdr.org and click on the Armenia link, or
- Donate through PayPal to contact@aptsdr.org
Or donate DIRECTLY and have YOUR money matched by clicking here: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
Below:
Left: An experience group of Meditators in August, and (right) TM teacher Rafayela with two of her students.
July 2023
ARMENIA
MoD/Raj Rajeshwari Maureen Wynne, David Shapiro
Achievements in Armenia
- Svetlana Galstyan notably taught TM to: Director and VD of crisis-management NGO War correspondent, reported decrease in PTSD symptoms
- TM graduations: 12 new Sidhas, 7 completed Georgia flying block, 4 new TM teachers finished TTC and began teaching this year
- New Yeghegnadzor TM Centre: family of 3 new TM Teachers to support those affected by nearby warzone
- New TM Teacher Rafayela Bagratuni’s newsletter interview received 42% readership
- Armenia General Fund: now promoting TM as a PTSD treatment
- Educational fair on pedagogical innovation by GBEC with 600 participants, team of TM teachers attended and networked
Our three main goals:
1. A noticeable increase in peace in Armenia by teaching TM to a sufficient number.
2. Continuing to help war and domestic violence victims with trauma and stress by learning TM, even those unable to afford it on their own. The Alliance for PTSD Recovery has pledged to donate $40 for each war trauma victim who learns TM, up to $250 per month. This support can greatly improve or even save the lives of those with chronic or life-long PTSD, using our gold standard, evidence-based TM
3. Total financial goal for July-December 2023: $19,000, for all goals
Matching Donations
To support TM teaching to war trauma victims in Armenia, as well as outreach to form a 400 group, a $10,000 matching fund has been set up. So far, $3600 has been raised.
To donate:
- Please visit aptsdr.org and click on the Armenia link, or
- Donate through PayPal to contact@aptsdr.org
Or donate DIRECTLY and have YOUR money matched by clicking here: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
To read a longer version of the Armenia news go HERE
To donate and have YOUR money matched: Please click here to donate: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
Below:
Top left to right: New TM teachers – Jon G at Educational Conference
Middle left to right: June TM-Sidhis Flying Block graduates – A new TM teacher with a new Meditator
Bottom left to right: A new meditator shares his experience. Next 3 images: a new TM teacher from war-torn Yeghegnadzor reaches out to help her nation
Below:
Armenia – the new generation, the new Meditators
May 2023
Achievements in Armenia and Pakistan
- Armenia now has nine TM Teachers ready to bring enlightenment to the country. Two years ago, there were only three!
- A generous donation for Armenia and Pakistan has made funds available for a new TM Centre in Armenia and a possible TM Centre and meditating school in Pakistan. Land will be purchased within the week in Pakistan and the TM teachers are searching for land in Armenia.
Goals for Armenia and Pakistan
- Reduce and eliminate war trauma in Armenia and flood trauma in Pakistan
- Prevent war trauma and create inner and outer peace in Armenia through forming groups of 400 TM and advanced TM practitioners (twice the square root of one percent of the population of Armenia)
- Reduce national traumas and disasters; reduce stress and terrorism, and increase harmony, affluence, and progress for Pakistan through forming groups of 1500+ TM and advanced TM practitioners in schools and other stable groups.
- Locate and purchase land and then construct two new facilities, one in Pakistan and one in Armenia for TM program, and groups practicing TM and advanced programs, to teach TM and create inner and outer peace and progress for both nations.
TM-Sidhis Flying block
We now only need $1000 more in donations to send up to 11 Armenian rising Sidhas to their flying block to help bring more coherence and peace to war-torn Armenia.
If 10 friends of Armenia would each kindly donate $100 each, then we would complete our drive and be able to send all of them to their course. Each dollar donated will be matched 1:1.
To donate and have YOUR money matched: Please click here to donate: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
Below: The new, rising Sidhas are doing very well. Here is a group photo of this group of young, next generation Sidhas.
ARMENIA
March 2023
Above. Background: Chknagh Village Aparan
Left to right: Wonders of Armenia – Lake Sevan, Matosavank Monastery, Lake Gosh, Jermuk Waterfall
Report from Maureen Wynne MoD, and David Shapiro
Armenia is continuing with initiations in many areas of the country and a new TM teacher is joining to help increase the scope of the TM projects currently active in the country.
- The first TM-Sidhi course taught by an Armenian TM-Sidhi Administrator began on March 10 with National Director Svetlana Galstyan.
- Anahit Chilingaryan has returned from TM Teacher Training in Thailand with a commitment to focus full-time on teaching. She is a wonderful addition and will certainly help raise the number of people learning TM in Armenia. We wish her the greatest success!
- US TM Teacher David Price completed three months teaching as a volunteer in Armenia. David and Gayane taught courses in medical schools, to disabled people, and many others.
To donate and have YOUR money matched: Please click here to donate: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
January 2023
Above. Background: Chknagh Village Aparan
Left to right: Wonders of Armenia – Lake Sevan, Matosavank Monastery, Lake Gosh, Jermuk Waterfall
PROGRESS FROM ARMENIA
We have miraculously gathered the funds for a very timely National Yagya beginning 9 January with the TM Family of Artsakh and Armenia as Yajamana group name.
- Four Armenian Sidhas will complete their TM Teacher Training Course in Thailand and will return mid-April. There are now five TM teachers being trained in Raja Park, Thailand and this will bring the number of full-time teachers from four up to nine once they graduate.
- National Director Svetlana Galstyan has nearly completed the translation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita. This will be the first book by Maharishi available in Armenian! First printing is planned for January or latest February 2023.
- Raja Luis has offered international support for any school or organization with 400 or more employees, staff, or students that commits to practice TM and the TM-Sidhi program twice a day. The TM teachers are currently meeting with organizations to see how many groups could be formed across the nation.
WE ARE RAISING MONEY TO:
- Teach TM to war trauma victims without resources.
- Give support to the five TM teachers for a few months after they return from their TTC so they can begin teaching without financial pressures.
- Promote TM to the public: A fund-raising campaign has been set up to raise $19,000 USD. $8,000 has been raised so far and a matching fund of $5,000 has been offered by a generous donor. The next $5,000 donated will be matched 1:1.
- Approximately 223 people learned TM in Armenia during the last few months, and 24 people received Advanced Techniques in both Armenia and Georgia.
- National Leader Svetlana Galstyan and MIU Library Director Rouzanna Vardanyan have become TM-Sidhi Administrators.
- Anahit Chilingaryan will return to Armenia after finishing her TTC in February.
- Four Home Study TTC participants have done well in their preparations and are now just awaiting their visas for Thailand to participate in the TTC starting 25 November.
- David Price, TM teacher from the US, has volunteered to join the ArmeniaRecoveryNow teaching team for 3-6 months and will arrive in Armenia in November.
- ‘In the 4 days I have practiced Transcendental Meditation, I found mental and psychological peace, also inner harmony, stability, happiness and a better realization of my own self. I got rid of strains, stresses and anxieties, to some extent. I feel better able to continue my life and do my routine activities.’ A.A., who lost her 20 year old son in the 2020 war.
- One Armenian, who had several relatives killed in the war, had a stroke, PTSD, thoughts of suicide, high blood pressure & insomnia. After 5 days of TM, he falls asleep in 15 minutes instead of 2 hours, his blood pressure has dropped 12 points, and he has 40% less suicidal thoughts.
- ‘It is my joy to share with everyone that this meditation helped me a lot during the hardest times of my life. It changed and improved my life greatly. I can say the same about my sons. I am very relaxed and happy now that there are people like you who can save lives, who can help people get rid of stress and depression. I wish there are many more people like you, kind and helpful. Everyone should learn and benefit from Transcendental Meditation. This technique changes one’s life completely, one becomes braver, happier and full of hope to live a full life. Let this project have the blessings of God. Our country needs people like you. My appreciation to my teacher Gayane and all the donors and organizers of this project.’ – L.K., victim of domestic violence.
- What did this course give me?
~ An opportunity to purify myself,
~ An effortless way to succeed in life
~ Give myself time to care for My own Self
~ Get rid of anxiety
~ Live happily
~ Create’
From J.K. - ‘I feel calmer, more relaxed and more balanced, compared to my condition before I learned TM. When I compare, I realize that before TM I used to get up every morning with a sense of panic and anxiety. I have noticed great changes after learning TM. I do not have any panic attacks in the mornings. I am sure with regular practice there will be more changes. I think this course appeared in my life right on time.’ – M.S.
- Two Governors, Svetlana Galstyan, National Leader and Rouzanna Vardanyan, director of the MIU Library, will begin their TM-Sidhi Administrator 7-week training course in Thailand. They each raised their fee and all additional expenses with support of Alliance for PTSD Recovery.
- The 5 TM Teacher Training Course home-study participants completed their SCI Course at the end of August. One of the five, Anahit Chilingaryan, will attend the TM teacher Training Course in English beginning September, in Thailand. The 4 remaining TTC home-study participants will attend the Russian language TTC in Thailand beginning November.
- “After 4 days of TM training, I can say with confidence that I have learned to meditate, and I already feel the healing qualities of TM. I feel the balance of the nervous system, great energy. To tell the truth, in our current reality, there is no other way to find a balance other than meditation, and I hope that over time all problems will be resolved, the energy balance will increase and help a happy life. I am grateful to our teacher Angela and all the founders of TM!” – H.V., 35 years
- “Owing to Transcendental Meditation, my ability to focus improved. My sleep improved. I am more resistant to outside stresses. I have become more tolerant towards my environment.” G. O., Paralympic Center, Armenia
- During these four days of TM instruction I feel kinder, brighter and energized. Let’s practice TM regularly and make ourselves kinder, better, full of energy to create and act. And the world will also change because we are the world.” L. A., economist, Armenia
- Just in a couple of days be beginning Transcendental Meditation, I experienced changes on mental and physical levels. I became calmer, more relaxed and patient.” N. N., Ashotksa, Armenia
- I am very glad that I learned TM. Great, positive changes happened. My health improved significantly. I feel brightness of mind and I am mentally balanced.” T. U., Ashotksa, Armenia, first week of TM practice.
- Five TTC Home study participants complete TM teacher training and begin teaching, raising the number of TM teachers from four to nine.
- One or more groups of 50 – 200 practicing TM and TM-Sidhi programme formed to begin creating permanent coherence for the nation, 200 is the square root of 1% of Armenia’s population of three million.
- Support from large foundations to expand programmes across the nation.
- 1,000 or more Armenians to learn the TM programme
- All harmony and progress for the family of meditators and the nation.
- $11,500 was raised to pay for applications fees and home study fees for 5 Armenians applying for TM Teacher Training Course to begin the fall. This would raise the number of TM teachers from 3 to9 should they all be accepted and graduate.
- Article in MIU digital achievements magazine for June 8: Alums featured in Documentary on PTSD Recovery: https://conta.cc/3QbPlk5
- Three zoom calls with Armenian-American meditators around the US. We update them on progress in Armenia and show a new video: Ending the War Within: https://youtu.be/-35gQqhfiB0
- Randy McKenzie, a long-term U.S. TM teacher who has taught over 1000 people and who has worked on PTSD recovery projects in the USA, has arrived in Armenia ready to support projects and support our new TM Teacher when she returns in July from TTC.
- Svetlana, the National Director of Armenia, has traveled to Russia and taught Advanced Techniques to 14 people at the World Peace Assembly in Russia and a TM course to 4 more people. She is encouraging people to become TM Teachers and is preparing the application for an applicant and taking care of the Introductory lecture to be delivered in Armenian. She is also organizing Group Sidhi Programs and encouraging new young Sidhas to take the responsibility to make the calls to increase the number of the participants.
- TM Teacher Jon Gyumishyan taught 7 people TM in June and gave many introductory lectures and group meditations as well as advanced lectures.
- 16 new Armenian Sidhas enjoyed a WPA in May in Georgia
- New documentary by award-winning young filmmaker Tigran Nersisian. “Ending the War Within” (17 min) – real-world experiences by TM Teachers and new meditators in Armenia of dramatic reductions in war trauma. Highly relevant for PTSD recovery in Ukraine and other war-torn areas.
- Mario Orsatti interviewed Tigran where he shared his inspiration to create the new documentary, and his own experiences of reduction in depression and expansion of creativity after learning TM two years ago inspired by David Lynch’s book Catching the Big Fish. Replays at https://enjoytmnews.org/tm-talks/
- Dr Peter Swan interviewed Tigran and Dr Michael Williams on Maharishi Family Chat. Dr. Williams has taught thousands in the US and has just returned from teaching in Armenia. “Ending the War Within” was shown. Go to Maharishichannel.in and look under May 18, 2022, archives to see the replay.
- Great article in top Armenian-American news source, Asbarez: A Simple Daily Practice Helps Reverse War Trauma in Armenia
- New TM Centre next to the Embassy of Lebanon in Yerevan. Properly oriented according to Vastu with a north entrance, the new Center will house daily group practice of the TM-Sidhis and all other TM activities.
- Location sought in Armenia and other countries for a regional TTC next November. At least 10 are applying from Armenia with 50-100 other participants from neighbouring countries. This will dramatically expand the ability to carry out the ArmeniaRecoveryNow project and secure the next generation of the TM Movement for Armenia.
- A new LinkedIn page has been created to reach out to business professionals who may want to support rapid, gold standard, evidence-based PTSD Recovery. https://bit.ly/3PuqhUZ
- Over 200 people learned TM in Armenia and 57 Advanced Techniques in Armenia and Georgia were imparted during the first 4 months of 2022.
- Fundraising goals of $256,000 for the coming year are targeted to achieve:
a. support for Armenian Governors to continue ArmeniaRecoveryNow
b. New TM Center as a permanent home for the Movement in Yerevan
c. Travel to provinces to provide TM for war trauma recovery outside of the capital 4. training a sufficient number of new Sidhas to meet the national Super Radiance requirement of 200
d. A TTC course in Armenia or the region creating 5-10 new Armenian Governors
e. Training for Armenian Governors to deliver advanced programs
f. Travel and expenses for 3-5 TM Teachers from other countries to help Armenia in the coming months as it transitions to complete self-sufficiency - Svetlana taught 13 people in Syunik region, villages near Goris, on the border with Azerbaijan. Two experiences from war-torn Syunik: “Life has come back to me. I got rid of a lot of fear and uncertainty and begin to look at life with joyful eyes. During meditation my breathing slows down.” 18-year-old girl, after 3 days of TM. “These two days TM gave me peace and the ability to take everything easily. My disturbing emotions, fears, and stresses have subsided. It is true I hear cars passing etc., but they do not disturb me (as before), since I am more inside myself. Now I feel more joyful and more full of energy.” 14-year-old girl.
- Dr. Michael Williams taught 106 people TM in February and March.
A. Yerevan Special educational complex for children with hearing problems: 14 teachers learned TM and 2 wanted to become TM teachers.
B. Artsakh refugee group, 7 adults and 3 children learned TM. One refugee said within 4 days of learning TM: “I have become calmer, I am sleeping at night, I am more active all day.” - Jon has taught 18 in March and 2 in April.
- Angela taught 5 in March and 4 in April so far.
- Raise $27,000 to support the Armenian Governors to teach in Armenia throughout the year as part of ArmeniaRecoveryNow project, and $60,000 to support a special creating coherence project for one year.
- Give the highest level of guidance, support, and teaching opportunities to our dear project administrator Gayane Zargaryan who will return from TM Teacher Training in late July, and support the goal of a regional teacher training course for Armenia and neighbouring countries including Georgia within a year.
- To launch our new organisation – Institute of Consciousness LLC – to bring the latest knowledge of consciousness and create trained consciousness consultants in Armenia.
- To hold a TM-Sidhi course and create and maintain a permanent coherence-creating group practicing Yogic Flying together morning and evening in the capital city of Yerevan with links via Zoom to allow Sidhas around the country to participate.
- To establish and maintain a permanent TM Centre in an easily accessible location in Yerevan, along with teaching facilities as needed in other major cities including Gyumri.
- For the Alliance for PTSD Recovery project as a whole to extend our support to many nations to build PTSD recovery program to bring relief, healing, and recovery, and to measure improvements in those in extreme need to inspire global implementation of the experience-based Transcendental Meditation® program for traumatic stress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other associated trauma-related challenges.
- We are exceeding our monthly goals for the DLF-C grant with 44 taught as part of ArmeniaRecoveryNow in December and over 50 already in January. Our total goal for Dec-April was 200.
- Total Initiations for 2021 were up 890% over the average of in the prior 4 years.
- Revenues from paid teaching also have increased.
- The new Institute of Consciousness LLC was formed for fee-based teaching, a structure that provides tax advantages under Armenian law.
- Gayane Zargaryan, the administrator of our ArmeniaRecoveryNow project is attending TM Teacher Training in Thailand in February.
- Many who were severely affected by the war are reporting extraordinary experiences.
- Gayane Zargaryan, the dynamic administrator of the ArmeniaRecoveryNow Project will attend the 2022 Thailand TTC
- More than 100 people have learned TM in the last two months.
- New Vastu TM Centre: Jon Gyumeshyan was successful in his search for a properly oriented location for a TM Center in Yerevan.
- National Director Svetlana Galstyan taught 67 people in the ArmeniaRecoveryNow project during the year in addition to teaching Advanced Techniques in Georgia and other countries.
- To date, 160 Government officials, psychologists and NGO leaders have learned TM since ArmeniaRecoveryNow began as part of our project to teach leadership so they experience TM and can support teaching large groups across Armenia.
- Since the project began, the ArmeniaRecoveryNow team has reached out and made presentations to at least 24 non-government organization leaders and other organizations.
- We have taught TM in a dozen cities in 7 provinces.
- September 18 Global Family Chat on ArmeniaRecoveryNow with the entire team talking about both the teaching and experiences of war victims with trauma after they learned TM as well as overview on a national research demonstration project to be a model of how TM can help any nation recover from large-scale traumatic events, such as war violence, terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics.
- In October 2021, Michael taught 42 people in Yervan, including war veterans, war widows, pensioners, a New York film celebrity and 2 journalists.
- Established regular Saturday meetings for group meditation and additional knowledge
- Established regular Monday meetings for an Introductory + prep lectures
- Michael was interviewed for a program which will air soon by public television
- Michael taught pranayama to all the participants
- Shared the Yoga Asanas Youtube link for home study and joining the live presentations from MIU faculty twice a week
- Held the first Book Club, where Chapter 1 of One Unbounded Ocean of Consciousness was discussed with 22 participants. The second book club is on October 30th.
- 38 people recently learned Advanced Techniques during 6 days in Georgia.
- In addition she taught TM to 3 and Advanced Techniques to 3 more people in Yerevan.
- TM Teacher Angela Sulyan taught 22 people in October in Yerevan and the provinces.
- A memorandum of understanding will be signed at an auspicious moment to connect a newly meditating NGO which helps with psychology and sociology to:
– Add TM into select programs for people who have traumatic stress
– NGO support for an outreach to war trauma and covid trauma groups around the province with TM - One of our long-term Armenian sidhas since the early 1990’s who has worked years for Peace Corps and is a trilingual translator and teacher of English and Russian, will be starting TTC.
- 160 Government officials, psychologists and NGO leaders have learned TM
- There have been presentations to at least 24 non-government organization leaders and other organizations
- TM has been taught in a dozen cities in 7 provinces
- In a Journalist Club Asperez Interview, Sept 9, TM teacher Jon Gyumishyan explains the mechanics of TM and the beautiful experiences of the NGO Intra Psychological Club that is providing support for many war trauma victims. The Director said that out of many other seminars, TM was the best thing she had done this year.
- Experiences of some of the psychologists in the NGO:
“Thanks to our Teacher Jon I feel calmer and better, my day is full of positive energy. My memory has improved a lot, I remember things that I left deep somewhere in the past. “I feel more active, energetic and full of energy,” say graduates S.H., O.S., and O.J. - Daily morning and evening group meditation and Yogic Flying.
- Governors meetings and other administrative meetings
- Weekly knowledge meetings Zoom link https://mgcwp.zoom.us/j/3820845288?pwd=bGZFU3lJQmJPTllmNnJ5d1ptcVZXQT09
To donate and have YOUR money matched: Please click here to donate: MATCHING FUND FOR ARMENIARECOVERYNOW
November 2022
ARMENIA: Report from Maureen Wynne MoD, and David Shapiro
Above. Background: Chknagh Village Aparan
Left to right: Wonders of Armenia – Lake Sevan, Matosavank Monastery, Lake Gosh, Jermuk Waterfall
Armenia: Teaching activities:
Quotes of trauma and PTSD Recovery victims in Armenia
These days, Armenia feels exceptionally challenged along with the long unresolved conflict. Any great hearts who want to support Armenia with a full National Yagya, or any contribution – please go ahead – your help will be warmly appreciated!
Top left: New TM teacher Gayane Zargaryan (centre) teaching in Dilijan
Top right: A victim of domestic violence who learned TM with her two sons who received their word of wisdom
Bottom left: an 82 years old meditator is giving her deepest gratitude and blessings to the TM teacher Gayane and to alll the organisers of ‘Armenia Recovery Now’ project.
Bottom right: A lady at the Dilijan Community Center with a drawing of her experience after her Introductory lecture
September 2022
Above. Background: Chknagh Village Aparan
Left to right: Wonders of Armenia – Lake Sevan, Matosavank Monastery, Lake Gosh, Jermuk Waterfall
Report from MoD Maureen Wynne and David Shapiro
Planned goals nearing completion!
Initiations
Between TM teachers Gayane Zargaryan, Dr. Randy MacKenzie, Angela Sulyan, and Jon Gyumishyan, approximately 167 people were taught from mid-July to mid-September.
Experiences
Here are some lovely testimonials of the new meditators:
These days, Armenia feels exceptionally challenged along with the long unresolved conflict. Any great hearts who want to support Armenia with a full National Yagya, or any contribution – please go ahead – your help will be warmly appreciated!
BELOW: Armenian Meditators, Governors, and TTC participants.
ARMENIA
July – August 2022
Above. Background: Chknagh Village Aparan
Left to right: Wonders of Armenia – Lake Sevan, Matosavank Monastery, Lake Gosh, Jermuk Waterfall
Report from Mother of Domain Maureen Wynne and David Shapiro
Summary of Goals for 2022-23
Below: Here are the slides from Guru Purnima including goals for the coming year.
July 2022
Report from Mother of Domain Maureen Wynne and David Shapiro
Below: Photos of the new Armenian TM TTC applicants.
ARMENIA
June 2022
Report from David Shapiro and Maureen Wynne
20 YEARS OF PROGRESS IN 15 MONTHS! – Svetlana Galstyan, National Director, Armenia
Below top left to bottom left: The door of the new Armenian TM center / ND Svetlana Gastyan / In front of the TM Center
Below top right to bottom right: Award-winning young filmmaker Tigran Nersisian / Armenian participants of the TM-Sidhi course in Georgia
&nsbp;
April – May 2022
Report from David Shapiro and Maureen Wynne
Documentary
Professional documentary producer and director Tigran Nersisian is making a short documentary on the history of TM in Armenia, with interviews with TM teachers in Armenia, Dr Sandy Nidich on TM research and trauma, David Shapiro, organizer for ArmeniaRecoveryNow, and traumatized Armenians who got benefits from TM practice. All interviews have been completed and Tigran is editing the documentary. We hope to present it on April 24th to show the Armenians around the world and supporters of Armenia, as well as all well-wishers of peace around the world, that we have a technology to end traumatic stress.
Instructions and experiences in TM
Advanced techniques
24 meditators received advanced techniques in February and March from Svetlana Galstyan.
Below left: Dr Michael Williams and two course participants in the Centre for the Blind.
Right: Artsakh refugee group
ARMENIA
February 2022
Left to right: Armenian traditional ceramic / Armenian landscape / 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi Stamps of Armenia 2019 / Ancient Armenian Church
Goals for 2022 for Armenia and ArmeniaRecoveryNow War Trauma project
Achievements:
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
To support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26), Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia, please donate using campaign code AR-108!
Below we have lovely pictures of TM teaching activities in Armenia.
Materials and photo credits: ArmeniaRecoveryNow Project
ETHIOPIA
January 2022
SPECIAL NEWSLETTER WITH FULL ANNUAL REPORT ON ETHIOPIA: CLICK HERE
Yoga and Yagya to support peace and cultural harmony
TM Teacher and Ambassador, Kibre Dawit.
The crossfire in the Ethiopian conflict regions has triggered a humanitarian crisis. We have an excellent highly active TM teacher and Ambassador there, Kibre Dawit and right now we’d like to do everything we can to help this nation in turmoil.
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT KENYA WITH NATIONAL YAGYAS – thank you!
Any who feel touched by the tragic circumstances in this land can contribute to timely National Yagyas and in comments add the campaign code: ET-108
ARMENIA
January 2022
SPECIAL NEWSLETTER WITH FULL REPORT FOR ARMENIA CLICK HERE
TM experiences after a month:
‘I am experiencing amazing changes in my life. Some challenges crop up, or through other people but they are overcome very spontaneously, and I benefit a lot from those challenges. Any thought I think gets realized, all the doors spontaneously open to support my desires. I get answers to any question. Some events and incidents give me a lot of experience, and potential or foreseen dangers are prevented.’ – Yelena 27.
‘Amazing experience. Instantaneous result my life is so much better in such a short amount of time. My world has become one with the Universe. Thank you infinitely to Svetlana for this infinite richness she taught me to access. Anyone can do it anywhere.’ – Nayiri, 35
To see more experiences please click here
Marvelous Teaching Experiences with Michael Williams
Michael has taught 78 people in the last couple of months in Yerevan including at the Culture House for the Blind. The Director of the Culture House, Yuri Avetisyan, who himself is visually impaired wrote about his experience as well as a beautiful poem which you can read here.
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
To support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26), Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia, please donate using campaign code AR-108!
Below we have lovely pictures of TM teaching activities in Armenia.
Materials and photo credits: ArmeniaRecoveryNow Project
ETHIOPIA
October 2021
Yoga and Yagya to support peace and cultural harmony
Pictured far left: TM Teacher and Ambassador, Kibre Dawit, amidst beautiful images from Ethiopia
Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture just a nation away from Yemen.
The crossfire in the Ethiopian conflict regions has triggered a humanitarian crisis. Maharishi always reminded us to be neutral in our attitude and to take recourse to the technologies of consciousness – Yoga and Yagya. We have an excellent highly active TM teacher and Ambassador there, Kibre Dawit and right now a big campaign to help this nation in turmoil is underway.
A recent conference call with MIU students from Ethiopia took place, arranged by Raja Ugo and MoD Kathleen, and the Raj Rajeshwari of Ethiopia. Special guest speakers Raja Luis, along with Kibre, leaders from Ethiopia, and Dr Susie Swan offered inspiration.
Any who feel touched by the tragic circumstances in this land can contribute to timely National Yagyas and in comments add the campaign code: ET-108
Thanks to generous contributions from Raja Ugo and Kathleen, Ethiopia have had some National Yagyas in the past and each time there has been a noticeable positive effect.
ARMENIA
December 2021
Updates on the ArmeniaRecoveryNow Project
Report from David Shapiro, founding President, Alliance for PTSD Recovery
Updates in Armenia
A heart-warming experience of recovery: 10 year old girl speaks for first time in over a year.
I taught a mother and her 10 year old daughter. The daughter hadn’t spoken since her father was killed in the war. She had completely normal speech before. She now had insomnia, horrible dreams and hyper-vigilance. She would react at slightest things like someone raising their voice.
On the 2nd day in our TM class in group meditation all of a sudden I heard a little whimper of a cry. Then my 10 year old broke into a full cry. Then I started crying and the mother and the whole class of eleven new TM meditators were all crying. It was tears of joy. Thank God! Within 2 minutes the daughter started talking for the first time in over a year! ”I can talk again mommy, I can talk, please hold me tight, hold me squeeze me, don’t let go I can talk.
After one five to ten minute session of Transcendental Meditation that trauma was released and she could speak again!
This went on for about 5 minutes. She knew 5 of the ladies in class and went to each one of them and said she loved them and gave them big hugs. The best part was that she came to me last sitting up front and gave me the most wonderful blissful hug I’ve ever experienced as she said over and over in a whisper…thank you, thank you, thank you…as tears were rolling down our faces…
Then she announced to everyone that we have to finish meditating, and that’s exactly what we did.”
– Dr. Michael Williams, Armenia
Source on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xkEMCm
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
To support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26), Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia, please donate using campaign code AR-108!
Below we have TM teaching activities in Armenia.
Materials and photo credits: ArmeniaRecoveryNow Project
ARMENIA
November 2021
Report from the President of Alliance for PTSD Recovery David Shapiro and new team leader Michael Williams
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
Or support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26) Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia using campaign code AR-108!
National Director Svetlana Galstyan has enlivened the region with the experience of Advanced Techniques.
Other news:
A Young meditator celebrates her TM teacher as her hero in the Aurora Competition
Nane Alikhanyan, a young meditator in Vanadzor in northern Armenia, made a beautiful video to participate in the Aurora competition. The video celebrates her TM Teacher Jon Gyumishyan as her hero. Jon, who graduated from TM Teacher Training in Thailand in spring 2019 is a full-time TM Teacher in Armenia. Nane praises the work he is doing dedicating his time to the ArmeniaRecoveryNow relief project.
ARMENIA
October 2021
ArmeniaRecoveryNow – continues
Report from David Shapiro, founding President, Alliance for PTSD Recovery
“A number of provincial governments invited our team to start teaching traumatized people, including those displaced by the war. Government psychologists have learned TM. Ministries are in discussions with us to do pilot projects. The nation is opening to the rapid and effective reduction in traumatic stress that TM provides”.
Gayane Zargaryan, project administrator in Armenia shares her experience while translating for TM teacher Michael Williams as he taught leaders of an NGO: It was a joy to see the change in the participants and hear about their accomplishments. They spoke of being more active during the day, having a feeling of lightness, seeing beautiful dreams of flying, as if it were real, having improvements in their relationship with others, etc. All participants said they would bring their family members or friends to the next course. One participant is actively working to set up meetings in different organizations. Another, a journalist, will invite Michael to a TV interview.
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
Or support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26) Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia using campaign code AR-108!
Since the start of the project:
ARMENIA
July 2021
ArmeniaRecoveryNow – new posters
A new Armenian Language Poster and Brochure for the ArmeniaRecoveryNow project have just been designed and printed for informing and inspiring Armenians around the nation of the opportunity to learn the TM program and also to give general information about the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation® program.
To learn more about the project and to contribute click HERE.
Or support Armenia with National Yagyas with Sankalpa # 26) Promoting the increase of Transcendental Meditation initiations in Armenia using campaign code AR-108!
ARMENIA
November 2020
URGENT NEED FOR NATIONAL YAGYAS
All Ambassadors, donors, non-donors, meditators and even non-meditators of Armenia are expressing their huge gratitude for the very generous support for National Yagyas from many different sides. However, the situation for the people of Armenia is still difficult and full focus is being put on creating coherence with online Super Radiance group meditations and continuous National Yagyas. (Campaign code: AR-108)
Armenia’s online activities:
AZERBAIJAN
November 2020
UPDATES AND URGENT NEED FOR NATIONAL YAGYAS
The National Director of the TM Movement of Azerbaijan Stepan Godina expressed heartfelt gratitude to all generous supporters of two National Yagyas for Azerbaijan. He says that the pacifying and soothing effect of the Yagyas was immediately reflected in a more peaceful national consciousness. He also mentioned that the influence of the Yagyas was described by Azerbaijani TM practitioners as a very strong and bright experience during the TM programme and created a calmer and fearless state afterwards. “It would be absolutely great if the National Yagyas for Azerbaijan would continue during this difficult period of recovery” – says Stepan Godina.
(Campaign code: AZ-108)
GEORGIA
October 2020
An immediate effort to join the online Super Radiance group meditations that have begun due to the urgent situation coordinating on Super Radiance times with Armenia.
Message from Raja Kingsley and Leslie:
“We are happy to report that the National Leaders of the Global Country of World Peace in the Caucasus countries are working hand in hand to create coherence and harmony. The national director of Georgia, Larisa Parkadze, is mobilising the Georgian practitioners of TM to participate in Armenia’s daily super radiance program being lead by Svetlana Galstyan. The national director of Azerbaijan, Stepan Godina, is helping to raise support for the performance of Maharishi Yagyas not only for Azerbaijan but surrounding areas. Both Larisa and Stepan want to express their appreciation to all their Global Country of World Peace neighbours who are rallying together at this time when we need to cool down the crisis.”
SUDAN
September 2019 Good news After months of disagreement between different parties, Sudan have finally reached an agreement that made all the parties satisfied, and they appointed the first new Government for the country after the long lasting dictatorship regime of Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir.
TUNISIA
September 2019 Good News Now things are shifting so that Tunisia is on its way to do the second round of the presidential elections in October this year.
ALGERIA
September 2019 Good News After about a year of disagreements, the temporary appointed president declared positively that the presidential elections will take place on the 12th of December 2019.
CYPRUS
September 2020: National Director Theodore Pizanis reports
“There is interest to learn TM but no courses are available this year yet. A couple of live introductory talks have been presented and plans could materialize in late September or October to have new instructions. Our online meditations in Cyprus started with the pandemic in late March and we have a few regulars joining twice a week.
There is a lively interest for weekend courses and advanced techniques, TM-Sidhis and TTC.
Also, Cyprus enjoyed a National Yagya this year.”
August 2019: National Director Theodore Pizanis reports
“There have been several positive developments for Cyprus. The recent visit of a Vastu team to research a Cyprus Vedic Village for European and global participants. Interest for TM courses and meditator meetings and residence courses is lively.
Our new Raja and Mother of Domain, Andreas and Linda Thrasy, are working with Co-Raja, Raja Paul, and getting familiar with Cyprus in order to develop an action plan soon.”
