TM Friends raises funds to provide TM scholarships to those in your community who wish to learn the TM program but are unable to do so without financial assistance. It is the fundraising group within Maharishi Foundation USA, the non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation program in the United States. All contributions are fully tax-deductible, and corporate matching donations are also available.

Your donation to TM Friends makes it possible for everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, to enjoy the benefits of the TM technique, a life-long program for better health and personal growth. Your support also helps local TM Centers continue to teach this valuable program to all.

1. Support TM scholarships at any TM Center in the United States.
2. Give a National General Donation to support programs around the country. [not sure how they want us to describe this... ]
3. Support TM programs for frontline health workers with Heal the Healers Now ???
4. Support Breathe Again with TM for Black Americans in the Los Angeles area. ???
5. Support Maharishi Gandharva^SM Concerts [not sure about including this, given what Raja John has said about MGV]

Thank you for your support!

Are donations to the Friends of the TM Program tax deductible?
Yes. Friends of the TM Program is part of Maharishi Foundation USA, the non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization that oversees the teaching of the TM program in the United States. When you make your donation online, by mail, or at any TM Center, you will receive a letter that you can use for tax purposes.

How are scholarships from Friends of the TM program awarded?
Interested applicants may apply by filling out a Scholarship/Loan Application form. After a personal interview with the applicant, the TM Teacher make a recommendation to the local TM Center. Applications will be evaluated and approved based upon the applicant’s reason for applying, their financial need, and the availability of scholarship funds.

Can I earmark my donation to go for scholarships and activities that will be used exclusively by my local TM Center?
Yes. Most donors earmark their donation for their local TM Center. This is easily done by checking your Center on the online donation page or donation card. Donors may also apply their donation to a “National TM Center donation fund,” to be disbursed to Centers according to their need and activity.

How much of my donation will actually be used for scholarships or TM Center activities and how much is used to administer the TM Friends program?
100% of your donations will be used for providing scholarships as earmarked by you. The Friends of TM scholarships and donation program add no additional expenses to the local Center.

How can I make my donation?
You can donate online, by telephone or mail

• Donate Online—MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.
• Donate by Phone—Call your local TM Center to donate by phone. Call 1-888-532-7686 for the phone number of your nearest TM Center
• Donate by Mail—Download and print out a donation form (PDF) and mail it to us, along with your check, instructions to charge your credit or debit card, or instructions for a direct deposit from your checking or savings account. Please mail your donation form and your check payable to “Maharishi Foundation” to your local Center.

Catalyze a Major Life Change
“The TM program seemed to reach out and find me at a time when I needed it the most and had the least means. The offer of a scholarship not only provided a way, but also provided a sense of universal support that helped to catalyze a major life change. Thank you so much!”
Terah Cox
Westchester County, NY

The TM program is having great effects in my life
“I want to tell you how much I appreciate the scholarship fund that was offered to me so that I may attend the TM program. I am on disability and could not afford to pay for the full course. If not for the scholarship program I would not be able to attend. I have been meditating for a little over a month and I’m starting to see how the TM technique is having great effects in my life. I hope that the scholarship program will continue so that others that are in need of financial assistance can receive it and they to can obtain this wonderful practice. Thank you Diana and Jeff for being such wonderful teachers and thank you to the people who support the scholarship fund.”
Christine Harrigan
Cary, NC

Helping me cope with trauma
“The TM technique has been invaluable in helping me cope with recent trauma. It continues to amaze me with it’s simplicity and effectiveness. Getting the lowered rate for financial need was key in getting me into the center in the first place. I don’t see how I could’ve done it otherwise. I am eternally grateful for the technique and the teachers who I have learned so much from.”
Daniel Pearce
New York City

A window to a peaceful place that I have never been
“The TM technique is the window to a peaceful place that I have never been. The space that you enter has not feelings, emotions, or thoughts. Therefore, the experience is magnificent. It feels like you are reborn again after each practice. Imagine to wake up with no worries, no stress. I call it my mental private spa. Absolutely delightful. Please try this technique. It is so wonderful that my children are learning. I want them to experience what I have found.”
Brenfy O’Rorke-Rogers
Round Rock, Texas

Cultivating peace and clarity within
“Having recently graduated from college and facing the reality of student loans, I could not have done the TM course without the assistance of the grant. I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to learn how to meditate. Everyday, I look forward to the moment where I can sit in meditation and let the rest of the world fade away, cultivating peace and clarity within.”
Connie Horak
Madison, WI

Facing life with a sense of calm and presence
“Receiving a scholarship to learn the TM technique was a precious gift. It has exceeded my expectations to manage stress and immediately helped me to face my self and life with a sense of calm and presence. It’s extraordinary how quick and simple it is to learn and practice.”
Kathleen DiPaola
Orange County, CA

A priceless precious lifelong gift
“Words cannot express my gratitude to the TM organization, especially my instructors. Without the scholarship, I could never have learned. I started practicing the TM technique during a time when I needed it most but could not afford it. Now it is a priceless and precious lifelong gift.”
Sandi Broadhurst
Pleasantville, NY

Solitude and relaxation every day
“Receiving the TM grant was the first step in a turning point for me—after experiencing some acute and longer term emotionally and physically difficult issues I was suffering from severe anxiety—after my very first lesson my husband could see a difference in my level of anxiety. I’ve now been practicing the method faithfully for five months and find that both my body and mind crave the 20 minutes of solitude and relaxation each day. I am extremely appreciative of this grant for without it I simply could not have afforded to learn the method at a time when it was critically needed. Many thanks.”
Sarah Ripp
Madison, WI

Inner Peace
“Meditation has given me a sense of inner peace that I never thought I could obtain (and it really is just another form of love). The generous grant from The David Lynch Foundation made learning the TM technique a reality—even at my current ‘starving actor’ status”.
Bobby Keith
New York City

I was basically able to change my life
“The TM program has really helped me. When something stressful happens, I can deal with it in a smarter, balanced, more harmonious way. As a student, money really comes into play in my decisions of what to do. Thanks to the Friends of the TM program, I was basically able to change my life.”
Susana Guerrero
San Diego, CA

Everything about your life transforms
“I’ve had some awesome effects. Sleeping better at night is a huge benefit. In the morning I had such a deep sleep. I’ve been sleeping so much. I’m making more money now because my attitude has changed. If it wasn’t for the scholarship, there’s no way we’d be able to start. Everything about your life transforms.”
Matt Russell
San Diego, CA

Nothing more important
Supporting the local Transcendental Meditation Center is personally a great joy. I can think of nothing more important, nothing that will benefit the community as much as helping to make the knowledge of how to unfold our full inner potential more available.
Jeffrey Abramson
North Bethesda, MD

The most natural thing to do
I have been donating to our TM Center ever since I can remember. For me, it is the most natural thing to do. It’s a way I can help give this wonderful meditation technique to so many more people and support the people who are doing that. It’s my way of helping to bring the light of peace and happiness to the whole world.
Maripaz Pimental
NYC

When giving, always include the local area
“Think globally and act locally” is a popular phrase these days. For generations, our family been a strong supporter of this idea—to always include the local area in which you live when planning acts of gifts and generosity. Helping to maintain and expand our local TM Center activities has always been at the top of our list of local donations because it has such a profound and long term positive benefit for individuals personally as well as for the community as a whole.
Bernie and Terry Nevas
Weston, CT

I have been rewarded in very direct ways
The TM Center has proven to be a wonderful focal point of growth and development for my family and me. I take advantage of the many programs offered, and when I am unable, I often feel inspired to make a contribution to the TM Center scholarship fund so that others may do the same. I can say from personal experience that in each instance after making a small financial pledge, I have been rewarded in very direct ways.
Robert Taylor
Pelham, NY

The TM program is needed more than ever
Because of the many challenges that people face in the world today, the fast pace, the stress, and other issues, the TM program is needed more than ever. I support the use of the Transcendental Meditation program to transform everyone’s experience to positivity. It is a gift to me to be able to donate so others can experience the state of pure consciousness within. I feel gifted. It’s something that’s good for me. It’s a pleasure.
Bruce Naschak
San Diego, CA

No better way to express my gratitude
I have been practicing the TM technique for over thirty-five years. As a result, there have been many positive changes in my life. I decided that there was no better way to express my gratitude for the growth of consciousness, than to donate funds for young underprivileged kids on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to learn TM program. I invite everyone to join and help others discover the bliss and happiness that lies within each one of us
Glory Missan
New York City, NY

Everyone should have the opportunity
The TM technique is a simple, easy-to-practice technique that allows one to tap into that infinite potential within—a reservoir of energy, happiness and creativity. Everyone should have the opportunity to develop this in their life. We feel very gratified to be a part of making this happen for others.
Mack and Carol Travis
Ithaca, NY

Knowing that scholarships are available is a great comfort
“For everyone hearing an introductory lecture on the TM program, even those for whom the TM course fees are easily affordable, just knowing that scholarships are available to those in need is a great comfort. The availability of scholarships for people in all walks of life with financial need confirms that the true goal of the TM teacher and the TM teaching organization is to make the TM program available to everyone who wants to learn. Donations to the Friends of TM program makes this possible.”
Tom and Roxanne Factor
Jackson Hole, Wyoming