Photo Flash: Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness Honored at CHANGE BEGINS WITHIN Gala

Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness were honored by the David Lynch Foundation with an award for their lifetime of giving at the 5th annual Change Begins Within gala in New York City on Tuesday night. The David Lynch Foundation also honored FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano for his lifetime of service. Other celebrity guests included Arianna Huffington, Wendi Murdoch, Ray and Barbara Dalio and Mehmet Oz. Check out photos from the ceremony below!

Iconic film director and musician, David Lynch, set the stage for the evening with a brief talk about the work of the David Lynch Foundation bringing mediation to at-risk populations, including first responders. Jerry Seinfeld took the stage and entertained the sold-out crowd with comedic fare centered around his experience as a 41-year veteran practitioner of Transcendental Meditation. Jerry attributed his practice to being able to survive the stress as the head-writer, star and producer of the 9-year hit series, Seinfeld.

Following dinner, Wendi Murdoch presented Hugh and Deborra-Lee with their award for a lifetime of giving. Ed Schloeman along with two NYC firefighters presented Commissioner Salvatore Cassano with an award for a lifetime of service. Commissioner Cassano practices Transcendental Meditation and supports using TM as a stress management tool for first responders and firefighters who deal with crisis and trauma, "going from 0-100 every single day."

Hugh Jackman stated that he began meditating in order to become a better actor and discussed how meditation has enhanced his art in many ways. He also credits meditation for enriching his relationship with this beautiful wife of 17 years, Deborra-Lee Jackman.

The event marked the launch of the David Lynch Foundation's initiative to bring Transcendental Meditation to 1,000 first responders in New York City and 10,000 first responders nationwide. Proceeds from the event will go towards teaching the Transcendental Meditation technique to thousands of first responders including members of the FDNY.
The benefits of meditation have been studied and found effective by the Harvard School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association. Transcendental Meditation has been proven to reduce acute and chronic stress and stress-related disorders, decrease anxiety and depression, help individuals overcome addictions and simultaneously develop the brain and creative potential of the individual for a healthy, productive and self-sufficient life.