Hawn became involved in
Eastern philosophy in 1972. She was raised
Jewish but is now a practicing
Buddhist and has raised her children in both
Buddhist and
Jewish traditions. She has stated on the Larry King Show that she is a
Jewish Buddhist, but neither more Jewish nor more Buddhist. Even though she might have converted to Buddhism, she has said in an interview that she never had to forsake her Jewish heritage to embrace Buddhism. In many interviews, she states that she still holds Jewish beliefs and her Jewish religion and heritage comes before Buddhism. Hawn travels to
India annually, and has visited
Israel, stating that she felt a strong identification with its people.
Moreover, Hawn founded and funds the Goldie Hawn Institute, formerly called the Bright Lights Foundation. The institute teaches the Buddhist technique of mindfulness training; where fourth through seventh graders are instructed in mindful awareness techniques and positive thinking skills, then tested for changes in behavior, social and emotional competence, and moral development. One school official reports that in one classroom, the children went from having the most behavioral problems, to having zero behavioral problems.
Hawn realizes that many parents oppose bringing Buddhist methods into public schools, and recently stated in
Greater Good magazine, published by
Greater Good Science Center: "There will always be people who see this as scary, or as some kind of Eastern philosophy that they don't want for their kids." Hawn adds, "Mindfulness gives kids a tool for understanding how their brain works, for having more self-control."
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