(Bloomberg) -- Brian Koppelman, co-creator of Showtime’s “Billions,” was honest about his transcendental meditation practice as he spoke at a 15th anniversary celebration of the David Lynch Foundation.
“I’m not going to tell you anxiety completely disappears with TM," he said, pausing a beat before adding, “Donald Trump is the f---ing president.”
Koppelman fretted he might have insulted Trump donors with his comment Friday night at the Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club, but it was greeted with laughter, applause and a few yelps in a room that included Alan Patricof, Jon Patricof, Katie Couric, Orin Snyder, Fern Mallis, Nancy Chemtob and Anne Keating.
Plenty of guests had been chattering about the Democratic candidates they’re excited to meet in August. Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg were among those mentioned as headlining Hamptons fundraisers next month.
Nouriel Roubini, the economist, made it clear that defeating Trump in the 2020 election is a priority.
“If he wins again, we could have all the TM in the world, we’ll be depressed for the next six years,” Roubini said. “Some things can be resolved by TM, some things cannot.”
The transcendental meditation that the Lynch Foundation teaches has many benefits, according to Bob Roth, the group’s head. It can reduce cortisol levels more than a good night’s sleep, he said. It’s also helping veterans work through post-traumatic stress disorder; the foundation plans to expand the number of veterans it serves in the next year.
As for stress and anxiety around politics: Two years ago, the foundation opened an office in Washington with the aim of teaching TM to members of Congress, “because the country is more polarized than ever,” said Mark Axelowitz, the foundation’s vice chairman.
Axelowitz, a private-wealth manager and actor, decided to take up TM on Ray Dalio’s recommendation and meditates twice a day for 20 minutes at a time. In the Hamptons, he does it on the beach, focusing on the sound of the ocean. He has a 20-minute recording of the ocean that he plays when he’s back in the city or traveling.
“It has helped me stay calmer and, more importantly, think clearer,” Axelowitz said.
After dinner, Roth invited guests to the beach where a bonfire was blazing. They roasted marshmallows for s’mores and then sat in stillness around the crackling fire as Roth led a 5-minute breathing exercise.
“It couldn’t have been more relaxing,” Axelowitz said.
Anthony Scaramucci, who served about 10 days in the Trump administration, got a few “Ohmms” in during the cocktail hour.
“I’m going to start meditating,” Scaramucci said as his wife, Deidre Ball, reacted with skepticism.
“He’s incapable of meditation,” she said.
“That’s nice, babe,” Scaramucci replied, to which she said, “I’ve tried to meditate. I can’t do it and I have way more discipline than he does!”
So how are things now that her husband is out of the Trump limelight and the couple is working together at SkyBridge Capital? “We’re good, we’re back to normal regular life, Joe Schmo,” Ball said. “We’re back to running our own company. It’s stressful, but it’s more in our control, and we have more free time, because we dictate our schedule.”
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