Cultural News: Top Stories

Oprah discovers why people are drawn to Transcendental Meditation and to Fairfield, Iowa
by Global Good News staff writer

Global Good News Translate This Article
25 March 2012

Since the conclusion of her world-famous Oprah Show on network television, Oprah Winfrey has launched her own network, OWN. On the network, she produces and hosts a new show called 'Oprah's Next Chapter'. A recent episode took a look at the Transcendental Meditation Programme and the unusual town of Fairfield, Iowa.

The episode, titled 'America's Most Unusual Town', took an exclusive look into many aspects of life in the unique town of Fairfield.

From the Oprah Winfrey Network website:

'Fairfield is a quiet community nestled among the cornfields of Iowa. It's also the center of the Transcendental Meditation movement in the United States. Many of the 9,000 residents who live here meditate every day.'

The show began with an introduction from Ms Winfrey. She stated that at least 6 million people are practising Transcendental Meditation (TM) worldwide and added that people from all religions and ethnicities practice TM.

Ms Winfrey then visited the Winer family in their home in Fairfield to learn why they, like many others, had moved to the town.

Four years ago, the Winers lived happily in an affluent suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.

'They say they were very happy,' Ms Winfrey said, 'but after making the move to Iowa their children have blossomed and their marriage is stronger than ever.'

In addition they were drawn to Fairfield because they wanted to immerse themselves in TM and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who brought Transcendental Meditation to the West.

Ms Winfrey asked the Winers, 'What has meditating done for you?'

Mrs Winer responded, 'I started because I had migraines. I was consulting 60-70 hours a week, so I couldn't afford to be under the weather.' She continued, highlighting long-term benefits she has experienced as well.

'I think over time what it has done for me is certainly made me more passionate in my faith (elsewhere in the interview she mentions she is Presbyterian)—not because of what I've experienced during meditation, but because I come out of meditation more clear, more awake, and more alert. That to me is the most incredible gift.'

See related article:
∙ What I know for sure: Oprah writes about her visit to 'TM Town', Fairfield, Iowa, USA

Global Good News will continue to report about Oprah Winfrey's show on Transcendental Meditation and Fairfield, Iowa.

A few segments of the show are posted online on www.TM.org, and on the show's web page on Oprah.com.

Check the Schedule web page on Oprah.com for any upcoming replays (look for 'Oprah's Next Chapter: America's Most Unusual Town').

© Copyright 2012 Harpo Productions, Inc.

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