In the month of June, 2022, the POP Movement’s team from Mexico, India, Uganda, Dubai, and the US (Dra. Norma Patricia, Shakti Jeykumar, Nahid Perez, Haaziq Kazi, Nilofer Kazi, Komal Mittal, Karina Weinstein, Philo Magdalene, Meda Hope Malinga, Manish Gupta, and Drishya Pathak) attended four, 1.5-2 hour, in-person, sessions of Transcendental Meditation (TM) in Puerto Morelos, Cancun. The team learned a unique form of meditation, which allows one to transcend into deeper states of consciousness with the objective of strengthening effort and initiative to Protect Our Planet. The group was taught by the instructor, Daniel, that the mind and body are intimately connected. During various TM sessions, the POP Mentors learned about the beauty of collective consciousness and how with mindfulness and meditation, one can connect and preserve nature.

“It was truly unexpected as I was not prepared for the meditation during this project trip. To include this meditation in this program is very thoughtful. At this phase of life, we need peace and it was a good decision to include in the program. In my experience, it was another form of meditation which makes you more conscious about your presence. One should take out time to feel the inner self.” —Nilofer Kazi

“It has been a new experience, I am an objective person and have a scientific background. For me the things that cannot be registered or measured, to say intangible things, are somehow hard to engage with. However I learned that they have actually measured Transcendental meditation’s impacts. Moreover, something that made the difference is that I was told that even if you if you don’t believe in it, it will still have the intended impact in nature. So, no matter what, I gave it a chance, and I’m also interested in learning the theory behind it. It has made me more aware of my body and my inner self. I have gained peace through meditation. However, it is not always that easy as my mind keeps rushing. But again we were told by Daniel, the transcendental meditation guide, that it is okay so now I have started feeling that I am more connected with myself. Sometimes when I’m meditating, I fall asleep but it was good to know that my body needed this rest which I was not allowing it to have. So, in this way it is good for health. I learned more about the people and group that I was meditating with which helped us to connect more and strengthen our bonds. I believe others should also try transcendental meditation. It should not matter whether they believe in meditation, they should at least try. In the worst case scenario your mental health will improve and you will be closer to your community. In the best case scenario one could even help to save the world.” —Ivan Ransom