Tamarkoz^®
Meditation

About the Film

Inside a classroom at the University of California, Berkeley, a group of students gathers for something rarely found on a college campus: stillness. They are introduced to Tamarkoz® meditation—the art of self-knowledge through concentration and meditation—a practice that invites them to turn inward amidst an outwardly demanding world.

In this intimate short documentary, students share personal reflections on navigating anxiety, identity, and the pressures of academic life, revealing how the Tamarkoz® method becomes a tool for calmness, clarity, and emotional resilience. Their stories unfold alongside a parallel inquiry: can inner transformation be measured?

Through a blend of observational footage, interviews, and emerging scientific research, the film explores how this centuries-rooted practice intersects with modern science, offering insight into its potential psychological and biological impact.

Grounded in both lived experience and research, the film suggests that, regardless of personal beliefs, Tamarkoz® meditation offers measurable and enhanced wellness benefits compared to other commonly used well-being practices.

About the Documentary Team

The filmmaking team consists of young adults passionate about storytelling, emotional well-being, and finding meaningful responses to the growing mental health challenges facing students and young people today.

They were drawn to a unique program at University of California, Berkeley for several reasons: the way Tamarkoz meditation, a practice rooted in Sufism, was embraced by students from many backgrounds (with over half of participants identifying as atheist or agnostic); the many students who described finding greater calm, clarity, and resilience through the practice; and the fact that its impact was also being examined through scientific research alongside other stress-reduction approaches offered on campus.

Through this short documentary, they explore the intersection of lived experience and emerging scientific inquiry, hoping to contribute to broader conversations around balance, resilience, and mental wellness.