Getting better with age: Clint Eastwood and Transcendental Meditation

People who age well are anSo meditation with me was just a self-reliant
inspiration—especially for me since I just turnedthing. I've been doing it almost forty years.
60.Eastwood went public in the 1970s about his daily
Clint Eastwood is certainly a prime example. AtTM routine when he appeared on the Merv Griffin
62-years-old, Mr. Eastwood won his first OscarShow with the founder of the Transcendental
for the film, "Unforgiven". Then, as manyMeditation program, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He's
film-making professionals believe, he only gotquietly kept enjoying his daily TM practice ever
stronger and better with age, going on a stunningsince.
run of creative successes.I think it's amazing how many people practice
Eastwood is now 79, and since his first Oscar heTranscendental Meditation every day, year after
has made 15 movies—three of which haveyear. I think I know how they feel, and why they
been nominated for Best Picture. (His most recentspend the time transcending every
movie, Invictus, had two Academy-Awardday–because it makes them feel more alive,
nominations.) Mr. Eastwood has also beenmore together, and better able to keep going and
nominated for Best Director or Best Actor fourgrowing.
additional times. And he often collaborates on theIt reminds me of something Maharishi wrote in his
music for his films.book, The Science of Being and Art of Living:
Of course I like to think that his Transcendental"Expansion of happiness is the purpose of life, and
Meditation practice has had something to do withevolution is the process through which it is
it. In a recent issue of GQ magazine Clintfulfilled….
Eastwood was asked about his TM practice.‘If one is not happy, one has lost the very
Do you still meditate?purpose of life. If one not constantly developing
Twice a day.his intelligence, power, creativity, peace and
How does that work for you?happiness, then he has lost the very purpose of
It works great. I'm religious about it when I'mlife. Life is not meant to be lived in dullness,
working.idleness, and suffering; these do not belong to the
I believe in whatever self-help you can giveessential nature of life.
yourself….