Leader as Martial Artist - Personal and Professional Development

The true martial artist aims for mind-body unity - not to defeat the opponent - but to meet and become as he is so that the hearts of both may be transformed. The heart is where we lead and are lead from, but it is also a risky, difficult and dangerous place. We learn to hide and protect ourselves from the pain of being seen and going unseen for what is at the centre of our being. Entering into the heart puts us in touch with the conditioned judgments we carry. How can we lead from and with the heart when we wish to close off so that creative and generative ways of being can emerge? This workshop is an inquiry into the bodily, sensory experience of interpersonal encounter and the value of mind-body practices for working with varying states of consciousness in leadership contexts.

Sean Park is a trickster, fascinated with creatively exploring how our physicality opens the mind and heart (and vice versa). It is with, through and in our bodies that we realize our true nature and connect deeply with others. He is a PhD candidate in Arts Education at SFU, playing with and writing about the connections between Eastern philosophy, embodiment, performance, self-authorship, dialogue and crazy wisdom.

Sean holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree from McMaster University and an MA in Education from the University of Toronto. He is a student of Daoist martial arts, music, theatre, and Buddhist meditation, but aligns himself with no particular spiritual tradition. Sean has taught a number of undergraduate courses on Complex Adaptive Systems and Environmental Issues at McMaster University and he offers training in Mindful Living as a faculty member of the New Earth Institute.

Faculty at the New Earth Institute: www.newearthinstitute.com

Education Consultant: www.insighted.ca