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September 30, 2005

Acid drop at Battell Chapel: A Night with David Lynch

One of the perks of working for an Ivy League institution is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that occur, like a visit from David Lynch. Now a man as unique as David Lynch guarantees a lively evening. I had no idea what I was in for.

The event was entitled "Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain." It was advertised as a Q and A session with some guest lecturers. David Lynch is a visionary. His unique perspective focuses itself on humanity and shows us things we could have never imagined could exist.

For a man with a professed dislike of public speaking, David Lynch was charismatic and eloquent. His obvious passion and enthusiasm for his craft oozes from his pores and his face lights up in excitement. It was a joy and absolute pleasure to listen to him.

However, after his fifteen minutes, he turned the floor over to Dr. John Hagelin, a renowned quantum physicist, who also happens to be the president of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace.

Yes, you heard that correctly.

I was subjected for about what seemed an eternity (actually an hour and a half lecture) about the necessity to expand our consciousness though the means of transcendental meditation. He went on to describe how the world would be a better place if only more people would seek this approach.

I slowly felt dizzy, light-headed. Why was everything so warm and fuzzy? As Hagelin spoke, I zoned out, entering what may have been some meditative state. I was weaving in and out of my own consciousness, pinching myself to keep myself awake. I was rudely snapped out of unconsciousness by a fellow spectator who must have hit a very deep transcendent state himself as he lost control of his folding chair and fell onto to floor with a resounding boom.

My friend was dying...dying of laughter. His witty asides became our running commentary. It got to a point where he was quaking, a volcano of laughter threatening to erupt in that oh-so transcendent chapel.

The next portion of the program got high tech. It involved a neurologist — Dr. Fred Travis — who gave a wonderful and powerful PowerPoint presentation about the brain's capabilities and how we aren't using it to its full potential. He even had a volunteer who was strapped up to an EEG machine in order to demonstrate the difference between a normally functioning brain and a meditative brain (alpha and beta waves). I say attempt because they were having some technical difficulties. You would think that with the millions they had flowing into this organization, they would have at least spent some money on decent equipment that wouldn't have performance anxiety.

After all this meditating and electrifying, David Lynch hit the stage again, fielding questions about his organization and his whole state of being.

Oh dear! It was interesting to say the least. I for one wasn't exactly swayed by all the bells, whistles, peace, love, consciousness. I was waiting to see people rolling around in the mud and enjoying some psychedelic groove. All we really needed was a group hug.

Lynch's ideas and intentions are great. More power to him for believing that this is the way to end war and create world peace. But it just didn't seem real. I was waiting for P.T. Barnum to come out and say "Humbug!"

And at least we got a free DVD....

Posted by eva on September 30, 2005 10:40 PM