Women’s Resource Centre founder and social activist Sylvia Hayward-Harris is working to get transcendental meditation into Bermuda’s prison and school systems.

Ms Hayward-Harris is the only active local certified teacher of the practice which she says has had a significant positive effect on millions around the world.

Speaking at Hamilton Rotary Club, Ms Hayward-Harris said she believes transcendental meditation can help the Island as it tackles crime, financial struggles, accidents or stress.

“I envision a peaceful, calm, less stressed, less anxious Bermuda where its people coexist harmoniously and work together in coherence to creatively address the multiple issues that presently plague us,” she said. “We are in a position on this Island where we actually have to do something that can make a difference — this is the only thing that I have ever heard of that has the scientific backing to say so.

“The David Lynch Foundation has formed an organisation to make this technique available to anyone who is unable to access transcendental meditation like inner city schoolchildren, prisoners and victims of domestic abuse and violence.

“We are in negotiations with them to start a prison project here in Bermuda and try to get it into the school system, possibly starting a pilot project at Somersfield Academy.”

Transcendental Meditation is derived from two words — transcend meaning go beyond and meditation meaning thought. It is a “simple, easy, effortless and natural technique” to take one’s awareness beyond thought on the surface level of the mind to its settled, less excited state.

It also lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and even diabetes due to the body being in a deep rest, eliminating stress which can be implicated in just about every modern day ailment. The meditation is performed twice a day for 20 minutes each time, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed, and is practised by celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Ellen Degeneres, Russell Brand and Gisele Bündchen.

“I also want to reassure you that TM is not a religion, a philosophy, a lifestyle or belief system. In fact it works whether you believe it or not,” Ms Hayward-Harris added.

Introductory talks are held every Wednesday at 5.45pm at the Coalition on Mount Hill in Pembroke along with group meditations for those who have already learnt the TM technique, held every Sunday 4pm.