RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION. BY Joe WESTON. A Guide to Personal Freedom and Empowered, Collaborative Engagement

Transcription

1 m a s t e r i n g RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION BY Joe WESTON A Gide to Personal Freedom and Empoered, Collaborative Engagement Copyright 2011 Joe Weston

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknoledgements... vii Foreord... Introdcing Respectfl Confrontation Introdction... 3 Why Respectfl Confrontation? Getting Started The Practice of Respectfl Confrontation xv The Core Exercise: Openhearted Interaction 33 section one the practice of developing the respectfl self 41 Corageos Self-Reflection The Poer of Presence and Centeredness The For Pillars of Tre Poer Example of Respectfl Confrontation Ellen s Story Smmary of Key Points section to the practice of respectfl engagement 115 Making Contact Confrontation Standing Face-to-Face Understanding Commnication Example of Respectfl Confrontation Akayla s Story Smmary of Key Points

3 section three the practice of respectfl offense 165 Understanding Assertiveness Personal Space Respectfl Offense: Giving Feedback Example of Respectfl Offense Ben s Story Smmary of Key Points section for the practice of respectfl defense 213 Understanding the Poer of Defense Understanding Aggression Respectfl Defense: Naming the Behavior Example of Respectfl Confrontation Brian s Story Smmary of Key Points Final Thoghts 275 appendix i preliminary and closing steps appendix ii otline of exercises

4 Index of ExerciseS THe core exercise: openhearted interaction clarifying vales and taking a personal oath get centered presence and deeper listening elephant alking hey exercise self-portrait of tre poer making contact personal space otlining yor confrontations fess p! practicing naming the behavior

5 For so long, I sa myself as the victim. I asn t living my life. Life as living me. Throgh Respectfl Confrontation, I no see ho I contribte to my on nhappiness. I am looking at aspects of myself I have avoided. I actally feel happy. Who old have thoght that the one person I needed to confront the most as me! 44 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

6 Corageos Self-Reflection The first part of the practice focses on the development of the respectfl, responsible, and poerfl self. Throghot history, most martial arts ere practiced as a ay to alleviate violence, as ell as being a spirital practice, and a path to self-realization. Morihei Ueshiba, fonder of the martial art Aikido, said, The prpose of training is to tighten p the slack, toghen the body, and polish the spirit. This challenging path is an inard jorney and one of deep contemplation, skill, endrance, and corage. Ueshiba goes on to say, There are no contests in the Art of Peace. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that e harbor ithin. There are many acconts of great teachers encoraging their stdents to embark on the path ithin. According to Bddhism and other Eastern philoso- 45

7 phies, the state of enlightenment, or liberation, is already a part of yor consciosness. It is p to yo to find it ithin the depths of yor mind. Bddha said, Look ithin. Be still. Free from fear and attachment. Kno the seet joy of living in the ay. Similarly, Jess said: Neither shall they say, lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is ithin yo. To overcome yor on internal enemies, like fear, hate, anger, grief, jealosy, violence, prejdice, and confsion, is vieed by many to be the tre noble fight. Not everyone is ready for this path ithin. Most of s give p, get frightened or get bored to name a fe possibilities. This is frther reiterated by Angel Kyodo Williams, a contemporary, innovative, spirital activist and athor of books like Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living ith Fearlessness and Grace, ho says, The most frightening thing people can do is to take an honest look at themselves and see themselves in a trthfl ay. On this sacred jorney, yo come across parts of yorself that yo d rather not see and feel or parts that have been conveniently bried or sppressed. It is a painfl process to see all of yo the pleasant parts and the less pleasant parts. Corageos Self-Reflection brings these parts ot into the light. When yo see these hidden parts, yo actally see that some of them are not so bad or scary. They are actally very interesting! Think abot it. If yo only present the nice parts of yo, yo become very shallo, flat, and boring. Think of a painter and her palette of colors. If she only ses colors like pink, light yello, and light ble, then she is limited to creating nice and simple art. Imagine a palette that also incldes deep red, black, prple, and dark green. Sddenly, the possibilities are endless for creating very rich and deep paintings. Yor life is the same. The only ay to live a fll, rich, and flfilled life is to se all of ho yo are, the lighter parts and the darker parts, in a balanced and controlled ay. When yo find this balance, free of denial and reactive behavior, yo 46 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

8 tap into yor tre poer. In order to get to this point, yo have to tread throgh yor fear, anger, sorro, desire, insecrities, and viepoints. The Practice of Developing the Respectfl Self offers ays for yo to start aking p again and to come ot of nmbness and remember hat it feels like to be alive, content, energized, and empoered. Yo ill experience yorself in a ne ay. This can be ncomfortable, maybe even frightening. With Corageos Self-Reflection, yo have the opportnity to reframe many viepoints and nexamined assmptions that keep yo from living the life yo ant to live. Yo also get the chance to take a jorney of self-discovery to feel, in a real ay, ho yo are in yor tre poer. Then yo can alk throgh the orld as a peacefl member of society sing yor skills and isdom to foster peace, respect, and cooperation. The Poer of Motivation AND Taking an Oath Since the process of learning a ne discipline is ardos filled ith many challenges and distractions setting a clear goal, knoing yor motivation, and actally making an oath to follo throgh is essential. Why are yo reading this book? What interests yo abot Respectfl Confrontation? Is it for yor personal flfillment? Do yo desire to have more of an impact in the orld and sccess in hat yo do? Are yo interested in improving yor personal relationships? Are yo ready to commit to inflencing society on a larger scale? corageos self-reflection 47

9 Lasting change can happen if each individal commits to being mindfl of their on actions and finding ays to be a positive inflence on others. When yo choose to overcome yor on reactive behavior and find creative ays to empoer others, yo ill contribte to positive change in yor relationships ith yor family, ith yor friends, at ork, in yor neighborhood, and in the larger commnity. Not only ill yo have a large impact on yor srrondings, bt yo ill also find inner peace, personal flfillment, and a sense that yor life has prpose and meaning. This process starts ith finding the proper motivation and committing to a goal. Yo tap into an enormos poer hen yo take an oath and commit to a daily practice. It provides focs, direction, confidence, and conviction, and keeps yo on track throgh togh and challenging times. Many of s strggle to find ays to feel satisfaction and prpose. We flit from one teaching to another, searching for the one thing that ill offer s inner peace and happiness. We allo or personal beliefs to be sayed by those ith the lodest voices, ithot taking the time to see hat e trly vale. Yo get a glimpse into yor deepest and highest self hen yo clarify for yorself hat yo hold dear and hat is important to yo. What are yo illing to stand p for? What is most precios to yo? What vales resonate ith yo? What are yo prepared to do to create more peace in yor life and live ith prpose, satisfaction, and confidence? Each one of s ill respond differently to these qestions. That is 48 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

10 hat makes s niqe and ltimately holds the cles to hat ill bring s or deepest satisfaction. Clarifying yor vales is an essential step in making life choices and tapping into yor on innate isdom and energy. When yo make choices based on yor personal vales, yo radiate confidence and peace and inspire others. Dobt, insecrity, and fear fall aay and yo attract sccess, achievement, and ell-being. The folloing exercise ill help yo establish hat yor tre vales are as ell as clarify yor on personal motivation for generating more peace, personal flfillment, and cooperation in yor life. It ill also help yo shed light on yor motivation for reading this book, making the experience more sbstantial and beneficial. Are yo interested in Respectfl Confrontation to improve yorself or yor relationships ith yor friends, family, and commnity? Wold yo like to commit to the oath of the Respectfl Confronter? Are yo ready to engage ith everyone yo enconter in an openhearted ay? It is important to be honest ith yorself and base yor decision on hat yo feel motivated to do in yor heart as ell as look at hat yo are capable of at this moment. Yor oath can change after a time as yo feel more confident to take on more responsibility. St. Francis of Assisi, thirteenth centry Catholic friar and fonder of the Franciscan Order said, Start by doing hat s necessary; then do hat s possible; and sddenly yo are doing the impossible. The choice to ork on yorself and to take personal responsibility for yor on behavior and actions makes an enormos contribtion to shifting or society in a positive ay. corageos self-reflection 49

11 E x e r c i s e Clarifying Vales AND Taking a Personal Oath Before yo start this exercise, revie Ho to Use This Book on page 23 PRELIMINARY STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 281 for details) Choose a good time and location Start ith the basic sitting pose Bring yor attention to yor center Place all of yor attention on yor breath MAIN STEPS Get some paper or a jornal and a pen If yo enjoy draing, yo may ant to get pens of different colors. Take a look at the folloing list and read throgh each item Notice ho each vale makes yo feel. Do yo have any connection ith the vale? Did yo feel some charge hen yo read it? Do yo find that vale important to yo? Make notes. 50 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

12 VALUES... Accomplishment/Sccess Accontability Accracy Beaty Calm Challenge Collaboration Commnity Competition Creativity Delight in Being/Joy Discipline Efficiency Eqality Faith Family Freedom Friendship Fn Hard Work Independence Innovation Jstice Knoledge Leadership Love/Romance Loyalty Money Peace/Non-violence pleasre Poer Prosperity/Wealth Service Simplicity Skill Stats Tradition Trth Wisdom... Choose ten vales from the list After reading throgh this list, decide hich of these vales resonate ith yo the most. Which ones get yo excited and energized? Which ones are yo illing to stand p for if yo feel they are being threatened or violated? Which ones inspire yor creativity? Write these ten vales in yor jornal. Take yor time before yo decide. Choose five vales from yor list of ten No e are getting deeper into the core of ho yo are. Of these ten vales, hich old yo say are yor top five? Write these five vales in yor jornal. Take yor time before yo decide. corageos self-reflection 51

13 Choose three vales from yor list of five Of these five, hich old yo say are yor three highest vales? Write these three vales in yor jornal. Once again, take yor time before yo decide. Once yo have yor three top vales, add them to the empty spaces in the statement belo. No read the statement to yorself a fe times, either silently or ot lod. Notice hat yo are feeling hen yo read it. Write yor on statement if the ording I offer doesn t ork for yo.... I realize that I have the fortnate circmstances in my life to ensre that I can bring prpose and meaning to my time here on this planet. I ill find creative ays to bring abot more personal flfillment and harmony ithin myself, and empoerment to others, by tapping into my niqe abilities and stemming from my core vales of, and. I commit to living in a ay that ill create the most positive inflence on myself and others, fostering peace, edcation, generosity, hman rights, respect, a healthy environment, and eqality for all citizens. I commit to practicing Respectfl Confrontation in a skillfl and creative ay.... Write this statement in yor jornal or on a piece of paper Write it a nmber of times as a ay to get familiar ith it. Write it on a large piece of paper and hang it p here yo can see it. Yo may ant to memorize it. 52 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

14 Be silent, breathe, and focs on this oath Notice hat happens hen yo contemplate yor highest vales the core of ho yo are and this personal oath. Notice the feelings that arise. Notice the energy that flos. Allo yorself to feel the poer hen yo connect ith yor highest vales, clear intention, and prpose. CLOSING STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 283 for details) Shake ot and stretch yor legs Make notes on hat yo have discovered TIPS There is no right or rong ay to do this exercise. Listen to yor heart and aspects of yorself ill be revealed. Making decisions in yor life shold be easy once yo are clear abot hat yo vale most. All yo need to do is ask if the choices yo make align ith yor chosen vales. What are yo doing ith yor time, habits, career choices, and other aspects of yor life? Look at the people yo hang ot ith. Choosing to do things and be ith people ho align ith yor vales ill energize yo and lead yo to flfillment and satisfaction. This is yor personal declaration and oath. When yo find yorself getting distracted, dobting yor on abilities or losing interest in this process and these practices, go back to yor declaration and allo it to energize and inspire yo to get back on track. corageos self-reflection 53

15 I have alays had great ideas and started ne projects. Bt none of them ever ent anyhere. I old try to connect ith people, ithot sccess. Then I got centered and made it a point to stay present. I am no folloing throgh. And the fnny thing is that people are noticing me more ithot me having to try! 54 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

16 THE POWER OF PRESENCE AND CENTEREDNESS No that yo have established a clear motivation, it s time to start doing some ork on yorself. This starts ith centering yorself and becoming present. When yo choose to navigate the bmpy, inard path, as ell as engage ith others in an openhearted ay, it is important to stay connected to yorself, to stay open to hat is happening at that moment, and also find yor ay back to yor core hen yo get distracted or thron off. Having yor body in a particlar place is one level of presence. For example, that s hat I said in school hen the teacher called my name: Joe? Present. Bt as I really present? My body may have been there. Bt here 55

17 ere my thoghts? Was I aare of the fly on the all? Did I notice that I as hngry? That Sandra as trying to pass me a note? Or that I as happy or sad? Being flly present and centered connects yo to all of yorself yor physical body, emotions, sensations, and thoghts and opens yo to a strong aareness of here yo are and hat is happening arond yo. When centered, yo alk throgh life in a conscios ay ready to take advantage of opportnities and mindflly avoid those things that are harmfl or distracting. Yo easily assert yorself and also react qickly to any and all inpt that comes yor ay. All of yor actions come from yor core leading to balance, flo, and integration. Yo are both strong and gracefl. Yo can see ho this presence and centeredness is essential for scceeding in different areas of yor life: in ork, relationships, personal groth, and maintaining yor health. People in high-stress jobs, like teachers and nrses, ill have more ease and longevity in their career if they maintain a level of centeredness. This also applies to parents and stdents. Yo see this in athletes, politicians, and prominent leaders from history, like the Dalai Lama and Martin Lther King, Jr. By remaining centered and flly present in all sitations, they ere able to overcome distractions and obstacles to achieving their goals. The Center, Aareness, and Deeper Listening The center referred to in the Chinese disciplines as the tan tien and in the Japanese practices as the hara, is located in the core of yor body: abot three finger-idths belo the navel and abot one-third of the ay into the body from the front. 56 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

18 Even thogh yor center is not a real organ in yor body, it definitely has a presence. With many nerves that flo throgh this area and close to many of yor vital organs, it a highly sensitive and active part of yo. This is yor place of personal poer, personal identity, aareness, creativity, and desire to connect, and here the implse to take action originates. According to Taoist principles, yor center is here yo open to aareness and here yo perceive things. The cltivation of coming from yor center in all that yo do is the fondation for sccess in many skills, like sports and dance, and is considered an important part of most martial arts and meditation practices. When yo have developed a strong connection to yor center, yo tap into yor on personal poer and creativity, folloing appropriate implses ith confidence and ease. By placing yor attention in yor center, yo open to deeper levels of noticing and listening. Noticing is one of the most valable tools in self-development, healing, and ho yo relate to the orld. When yo are present and centered, yo se a more sophisticated ay of listening that incldes yor ears, yor eyes, yor hole body, yor feelings, and yor fll experience. Yor hole being comes alive. There is a mch richer and more detailed orld arond yo and yo are a mch more intricate being than yo may think. All yo need to do is take the time to notice. Noticing is also an important element in maintaining peacefl interaction ith others. Yo can t resolve a problem or change a bad habit if yo aren t first aare that it is there. Deeper listening is an essential part of the practice of Respectfl Confrontation. By listening in this ay, yo learn to pick p on sbtle signals that go beyond hat is heard or spoken. Yo have the ability to hear ith yor heart and navigate feelings, belief systems, anxiety, and fear. This allos yo to make informed decisions that are spported by inforthe poer of presence and centeredness 57

19 mation that goes far beyond the spoken ord or hat is seen on the srface. This helps yo to open to yor innate isdom and also gives yo the confidence to take action from a place of conviction. Have yo ever made decisions that ere based on a deeper knoing? Have yo ever done something that others thoght as odd bt yo kne that it as the right thing to do? Can yo hear beyond hat someone says and connect ith something that is nspoken? This is the reslt of deeper listening. What follos are to exercises that familiarize yo ith yor center and help yo develop more presence. The more yo do these exercises, the qicker they ill become healthy, empoering habits. 58 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

20 E x e r c i s e GET CENTERED Before yo start this exercise, revie Ho to Use This Book on page 23 PRELIMINARY STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 281 for details) Choose a good time and location Start ith the basic sitting pose or the basic standing pose MAIN STEPS Focs on yor center Focs on a spot three finger-idths belo yor navel, somehere in the center of yor loer belly. Try to see this point ith yor mind s eye. Notice any sensations and feelings hile focsing on yor center. Make this point as tangible as possible Place yor index finger in front of yor navel. Place all for of yor fingers next to each other, resting on yor loer belly. Notice here yor pinky finger rests and feel that point. From that point, bring yor aareness inside yor body abot one- the poer of presence and centeredness 59

21 third of the ay from the front of yor abdomen to the back. Keep yor focs on this point. If yo are the type of person ho orks ell ith images, yo may ant to visalize an image at this point, like a floer, a ball or anything that ill help yo to keep connected to this point. Breathe natrally from yor center Listen to yor natral breath and let yor belly relax ith each breath. Breathe ot throgh yor moth. Notice yor belly moving inard toards yor spine. Breathe in sloly throgh yor nose ithot creating any tension. Notice yor belly expanding. Hold the breath for a moment and then simply release the breath. There is no need to psh ot the breath. Jst let it por ot of yor body. Breathe in flly and breathe ot flly. Exert yorself on the inhalation, and practice flly letting go on the exhalation. Contine to breathe into this area and notice if yo feel any sensation. Don t do anything ith hat yo notice; jst take note of ho it feels. Let it flo. Notice hen yo stop focsing on yor center Notice as qickly as possible hen yo get distracted the qicker, the better. When yo realize yo are distracted, think of yor center, and bring yor attention back to it. Keep repeating this process ntil yo come to the end of the exercise. CLOSING STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 283 for details) Shake ot and stretch yor legs. Make notes on hat yo have discovered. 60 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

22 RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE Start ith ten to fifteen mintes. I recommend yo do this exercise every day in the beginning. This exercise is the basis for all of the other exercises in this book. Mastering this ill make it easier to practice the other exercises. In fact, it is a longer version of the Preliminary Steps for each exercise. TIPS Yo can do this exercise either standing or sitting. I find it most effective to stand, bt if it is difficlt for yo to stand for a long period of time, do it in a seated position. Or try sitching off from one day to the next, standing and sitting, so yo get a sense of the sbtle differences and keep the exercise from getting tedios. Try doing this exercise hile yo are at ork or ith friends. Try staying engaged ith others and still focs on yor center. There is no right ay or rong ay to do this. Be aare of ho yo experience this exercise. The goal is to increase the amont of time yo stay focsed on yor center and, more importantly, to shorten the amont of time yo are distracted. Many of s can go hors before e realize e are not centered and present. Remember: yo are expected to get distracted; the sccess lies in ho qickly yo notice it! the poer of presence and centeredness 61

23 E x e r c i s e Presence AND Deeper Listening Before yo start this exercise, revie Ho to Use This Book on page 23 PRELIMINARY STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 281 for details) Choose a good time and location Start ith the basic sitting pose Bring yor attention to yor center Place all of yor attention on yor breath MAIN STEPS Become aare of yorself Start ith yor body. What kind of sensations do yo feel? Then notice yor emotions and then yor thoghts. There s no need to do anything ith this information. All yo need to do is notice. Become aare of yor srrondings Start ith yor eyes closed. What do yo hear? What do yo feel? What do yo sense? Ho do these things inflence yo? No open yor eyes. What do yo see? Be as detailed as possible. 62 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

24 Name the things yo notice Withot jdging, simply hisper or think the things that come into yor aareness, both internally and externally. For instance: There is tension in my leg. The ind is bloing the crtain. I can smell food cooking. I m feeling a bit tired. Do this ntil yo come to the end of the exercise. Don t stop naming things; stay focsed on hat yo notice. CLOSING STEPS (see APPENDIX ONE on page 283 for details) Shake ot and stretch yor legs Make notes on hat yo have discovered RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE Start ith five mintes, at least three times a eek. Add more time as yo get more familiar ith the process. When yo begin to master this exercise, yo ill become more gronded and aare of hat is going on arond yo. TIPS One thing that gets in the ay of opening to deeper levels of listening is jdging the things yo see, hear or feel. Jdging is different from noticing. When yo are listening in the proper ay, yor thoghts may be something like: I hear a bird. I feel a breeze. I see a spot on the all. Keep those thoghts coming. Don t stop. If yor thoghts sond like this, then yo are no longer in the present and noticing hat is happening no: That damn bird is making so mch noise. I m cold, hy didn t I trn on the heat? the poer of presence and centeredness 63

25 Stpid me. Look at that spot on the all. The people ho live here are slobs. Yo are jdging and throing yorself into the past and ftre, and avoiding the present. This is hat happens hen yo drop ot of present aareness and into yor scattered mind. When yor mind anders, get back to listening to hat is arond yo or ithin yo. If yo start to get discoraged, bored or distracted, don t jdge yorself. Acknoledge that those things are part of the present moment and orth noticing. This exercise helps yo to stay engaged ith the present moment and develop sensitivity to hat is nfolding arond yo so yo can qickly and isely take action. Althogh they may seem simple, these exercises have enormos poer. If yo can find five to ten mintes a day to do them, yo ill notice that yor life ill change. Yo ill feel safer and more at home in the orld, and yo ill feel less distracted and find that yo can get things done in a qicker, more efficient ay. Yo ill have less tension, aches, and pains, and feel generally happier and lighter. Yo ill learn to trst yor intition more and connect ith others more easily. 64 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

26 Preliminary Steps Choose a good time and location Do this exercise hen yo are alone, or arond people ho can respect yor need for focs and silence. Find a place to do this here there is enogh space arond yo. If yo choose to start ith the basic sitting pose Sit in a comfortable ay. Yor spine is vertical and relaxed (either sitting on a pillo on the floor ith legs crossed, or sitting at the edge of a chair, feet flat on the floor); yor breath is relaxed, steady and deep; yor eyes are closed or partially closed looking don toards the grond; yor sholders and ja are relaxed; yor hands are resting on yor knees or in yor lap. This basic ay of sitting allos energy to flo freely and in the long rn can promote good health, looser joints, and more vitality. Hold this pose for a fe mintes. appendix one 281

27 If yo choose to start ith the basic standing pose Stand ith yor feet apart, abot the idth of yor hips. Keep yor hole body relaxed and flexible. Bend yor knees slightly. Tilt yor tailbone slightly toards the front of yor body. Lengthen yor spine in a soft ay. Lift yor head lightly, and tck yor chin toards yor chest. Yor moth and eyes are slightly open. This basic ay of standing allos energy to flo freely and in the long rn can promote good health, looser joints, and more vitality. Hold this pose for a fe mintes. Bring yor attention to yor center Focs on a spot three finger-idths belo yor navel, somehere in the center of yor loer belly. Try to see this point ith yor mind s eye and 282 mastering RESPECTFUL CONFRONTATION

28 focs on it for a period of time. If yo get distracted dring the exercise, bring yor attention back to yor center to get focsed. Place all of yor attention on yor breath From yor center, become aare of yor breath. Breathe into yor center and belly. This simple task helps yo to come more into alignment ith yorself and come more into the present. Breathe natrally ith as little effort as possible. There is no need to change yor breath. Simply notice. Closing steps Shake ot and stretch yor legs Stretch and shake ot any tension yo have acqired. Yo may not be doing a lot of movement, bt the exercise reqires a lot of exertion and energy. Makes notes In order to see yor progress and learn from this practice, make some notes. Don t jdge yorself, only evalate. Write don ho it ent and hat happened. Did yo learn anything ne? Did yo come across a ne challenge? Are yo seeing yorself in a ne ay? Make a note abot ho yo ill approach the exercise next time arond. appendix one 283

29 Abot Joe Weston Joe Weston is renoned in the United States and Erope as a orkshop facilitator, a consltant, riter, life coach, creative social activist, and as an advocate for peace. He is the fonder and presenter of Respectfl Confrontation orkshops and lectres. Weston is a freqent volnteer for the Liberation Prison Project, here he teaches Bddhism to prison inmates. He is also the fonder of Heartalker Stdio and the Heartalker Peace Project, initiating Heartalks (peace rallies in varios cities ith rotes in the shape of a heart) and peace vigils, thereby creating opportnities for connection, discssion, and creative collaboration. Born and edcated in Ne York, Weston lived in Amsterdam for seventeen years and no lives in the U.S. He gradated from Hofstra University ith an honors degree in Drama and Literatre. Weston brings a 303

30 ealth of insight to his ork based on many teachings, inclding Tai Chi Chan and a variety of spirital traditions pls his extensive experience in theater and organizational trainings..joeeston.com Respectfl Confrontation Workshops and Lectres Respectfl Confrontation trainings are designed for corporations, organizations, government bodies and for individals ho seek lasting change in the areas of commnication, prodctivity, time and stress management, impactfl leadership, empoerment, personal freedom, and flfillment. Presented to a clientele arond the orld, these personal, intensive trainings and private consltations are engines of transformation, reslting in the attainment of tre poer that leads to self-confidence and peacefl interactions ith others. The Respectfl Confrontation experience is niqe becase it goes beyond theories, incorporating interactive, dynamic exercises and easyto-apply tools. Participants gain deep insight into themselves and greatly enhanced relationships ith others, along ith greater ease in tackling challenging sitations ith integrity and nderstanding. Benefits for yor company: Enhanced commnication skills, increased prodctivity, and efficiency Leadership improvement as related to conflict resoltion, problemsolving, and relationships ith employees Understanding and implementation of a creative, prodctive ork cltre Team-bilding and collaboration Better time and stress management, mediation, and negotiation 304