International PTSD Conference

in Kiev, Ukraine

Adapted from a report by Ekkehart Kahl

On Tuesday, 2 June 2015 from 1000hrs till 1800hrs the International Conference on Comprehensive Assistance for Participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Ukraine for Integration to Civilian Life was held at the "Central House of Officers" in Kiev, Ukraine. This conference was co-sponsored by the David Lynch Foundation of Ukraine, NATO, and the State Service of Ukraine on War Veterans and Participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation.

More than 100 people attended this high-profile event: high-ranking military officials and leaders of veterans' organizations; representatives of the government of Ukraine, NATO, and other international and Ukrainian organizations; and members of the press, including 8 TV channels. They all came to hear about the offer by the David Lynch Foundation of Ukraine to teach the Transcendental Meditation program to Ukrainian soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that often occurs in military personnel who have experienced or witnessed a trauma. Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, nightmares or flashbacks, insomnia, outbursts of anger and social withdrawal. Veterans with PTSD also exhibit evidence of over-arousal (exaggerated fight-or-flight response).

The conference participants were very impressed to learn about the research findings on the Transcendental Meditation technique which have demonstrated the effectiveness of TM in providing relief from the symptoms of PTSD and treating a number of the comorbidities associated with the illness. The findings which were presented to the audience include:

1. Reduced PTSD: 40�50 percent reduction in PTS symptoms, including depression
2. Greater resiliency: reduced stress levels and quicker recovery from stress
3. Reduced cardiovascular disease: decreased blood pressure, harmful cholesterol, and atherosclerosis; and a 47 percent reduction in cardiovascular-related mortality
4. Decreased substance abuse: decreased smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse
5. Decreased medical expenditures: 14 percent reduction in annual medical expenditures, as compared to the norm
   

[Editor's note: To learn more about the research findings, please also see this webpage featuring a table listing the American Psychological Association's twenty DSM-5 symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), along with the scientific research conducted on the Transcendental Meditation program published in peer-reviewed scientific journals addressing each of these symptoms/criteria.]

The highlights of the conference were the presentations given by Dr. Kingsley Brooks, a representative of the David Lynch Foundation; Dusty Baxley, [now Executive Director at Boulder Crest Foundation based in Bluemont, Virginia]; Dr. Ashley Deans, Professor of Education and Physics at Maharishi International University and Global Ambassador of Consciousness-Based Education; and Dr. Mykola Didukh, Director of the Transcendental Meditation program in Ukraine. Other speakers at the conference included the NATO Liaison Officer in Ukraine who was very appreciative about the TM program, members of the Ukrainian armed forces, veterans, and representatives of various organizations specialized in rehabilitation programs for soldiers.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine already has approved to have a TM pilot study done, with the first Ukrainian soldiers going to be taught the Transcendental Meditation program next week. Hopefully, hundreds of soldiers and veterans in Ukraine are going to learn TM during the coming weeks and months, in this way, creating coherence for the country and helping Ukraine to overcome its many challenges and become invincible!

Please enjoy the following photos from the conference:

Gene "Dusty" Baxley, an advocate for creating resilient warriors via "Operation Warrior Wellness," a division of the David Lynch Foundation, is giving an interview to one of the many TV channels that came to report about the conference. Dusty is a retired and decorated US Army Airborne Ranger MP. He participated in the 82nd Airborne's Combat Parachute assault in Panama during "Operation Just Cause" (photo courtesy by Viacheslav Gorlovski).

Dusty Baxley delivered an impressive speech (photo courtesy by Viacheslav Gorlovski). Excepts from his presentation are available online. See Part I: https://youtu.be/38hqH7gWeXE
and Part II: http://youtu.be/Rovoz8T_fiM

Artur Derevyankos, Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine on War Veterans and Participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation, welcomed the participants in the "International Conference on Comprehensive Assistance for Participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Ukraine for Integration to Civilian Life."

Over 100 people attended the "International Conference on Comprehensive Assistance for Participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Ukraine for Integration to Civilian Life."

Representatives of all the major media of Ukraine, including 8 TV channels, followed the conference.

Dr. Kingsley Brooks, a representative from the David Lynch Foundation, gave a brilliant presentation. Excerpts from his presentation are available online. See Part I: https://youtu.be/BmTDwqtmpo8 and Part II: https://youtu.be/QTcptXhWy58

Dr. Igor Prodan, a medical doctor from Ukraine, explained the profound health benefits of the Transcendental Meditation program in treating PTSD.

Viacheslav Gorlovski, the Director of the David Lynch Foundation of Ukraine, gave an interview to one of the many TV channels which have come to report on the conference.

Dr. Kingsley Brooks also gave an interview to one of the many TV channels which have come to report on the conference.

A member of the Ukrainian armed forces was interviewed by the KRATU TV channel (photo courtesy of Viacheslav Gorlovski).

Dr. Ashley Deans, Professor of Education and Physics at Maharishi International University and Global Ambassador of Consciousness-Based Education, explained how by establishing a large coherence-creating group of practitioners of the TM and TM-Sidhi program, the nation can rise to a state of invincibility (photo courtesy of Viacheslav Gorlovski). See an excerpt from his presentation at: http://youtu.be/UoPt3RZD2rk

Dr. Ashley Deans, Professor of Education and Physics at Maharishi International University and Global Ambassador of Consciousness-Based Education, explained further how a coherence-creating group (such as a fully-operational Prevention Wing of the Military) established in the Ukraine would protect the nation by preventing enemies from arising. For more information see: Dr. David R. Leffler (Fall 2009). A New Role for the Military: Preventing Enemies from Arising-Reviving an Ancient Approach to Peace. Journal of Management & Social Science (JMSS), Vol. 5, No. 2., pp. 153-162.

Dr. Mykola Didukh, now former Director of the Transcendental Meditation program in Ukraine, pointed out that implementing Transcendental Meditation would support all the other rehabilitation programs which were presented during this conference by various organizations. A video excerpt of his presentation is availble at: http://youtu.be/oNvnuAi9MsU. Dr. Didukh is Postdoctoral Fellow at the National University of Kyiv Taras Shevchenko and has coauthored numerous articles urging implementation of Invincible Defense Technology by the military of Ukraine. See his co-authored article published in Euromaiden Press titled: "Scientific militarily field-tested approach to end Ukraine's war."

This woman gave a very powerful presentation, making a strong appeal to adopt Transcendental Meditation in the rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian soldiers and veterans.

This soldier gave a moving report about his experiences on the battle field in the Eastern part of Ukraine; he will be one of the first Ukrainian soldiers to learn the TM technique.