Achieving self-awareness through film screening “Twin Peaks” By D. Lynch as an example of mindfulness meditation
European Psychiatry August 27, 2024 J. K. Nowocień, N. Szejko
Transcendental cinema, as defined by Paul Schrader, shares core principles with mindfulness philosophy, allowing a film screening to function as a meditation session. Analyzing David Lynch's Twin Peaks, the authors argue that the style's formal tools—such as extended scenes and minimal cuts—force active participation, focusing attention on present emotions and experiences. This process mirrors mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to alleviate neuropsychiatric and other ailments. The cinema experience not only depicts a protagonist's self-development but also deepens viewers' self-awareness and understanding of the human psyche, potentially supporting health and therapeutic insight.