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Beginner Mind, Zen Mind, Observing Mind”—Certificates of Completion Awarded by Grandmaster Sam F.S. Chin, Honorary Professor Emeritus

Cabrini University / Radnor, PA USA

12 December 2022

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On December 12, 2022. Members of Cabrini University’s Balance Learning Community received certificates of successful completion of the global curriculum of the Martial Art of Awareness (Zhong Xin Dao / I Liq Chuan, specifically the new “Beginner's Mind, Observer Mind, Zen Mind—Entry Level program developed by Honorary Professor Emeritus: and Grandmaster Sam Chin .  They are the first students to complete this program in a university setting, studying the practice as part of their American Studies class "Conflict and Cooperation” co-taught by Lan Tranand Nancy Watterson, a fully-academic 3-credit course that also fulfills part of the general education core  that addresses cultural dimension and civic engagement. Students explore their own values, as well as using ZXD’s curriculum and movement-based kinesthetic learning as a tool for learning about awareness and the very process of ‘learning how to learn’. in a university setting, in a course that fulfills one of the  general education core curriculum requirements. The Center for Global Learning, with support from PCCE grant-funding, sponsored GM Sam Chin’s participation and a community-based workshop “Refining the Balance Point.

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By using martial arts as a tool for awareness, students practice simple solo exercises and safe cooperative partner activities that offer a way of ‘learning about learning.’ These skills-building activities enhance individual attention and offer tangible practices for engaging with others respectfully—building blocks for civic consciousness grounded in compassion. (p/c Rich Kelly and M. Combs)

2nd Civic Imagination grant awarded from Partners for Campus-Community Engagement (PCCE) for Dr. Watterson and the CGL for the collaborative project, Applying Embodied Learning and Mindful Movement in Everyday Engagements. This grant builds on the inroads made with the initial phase of the project, Embodied Awareness & Cooperative Dialogue: Moving from Self-Observation to Social Compassion. The practice of embodied awareness and cooperative dialogue is designed to use clear references for understanding how to be in the present moment and deal with changing conditions.  We have found that this training helps students, educators, and other community participants move from conflict to cooperation, taking tangible steps to recognize harmony, non-resistance, and equanimity—the groundwork for civic engagement and compassion, both for self and others. 

These practices compose an important dimension of a full-credit academic seminar, part of the Balance Learning Community at Cabrini University. Importantly, this student learning community has been designed to integrate the global curriculum of Zhong Xin Dao: Martial Art of Awareness. Using inner sensations and refined understanding of balancing to lay out a process for self-reflection that is accessible to all ages and abilities, this program, especially its “Beginner Mind, Zen Mind, Observing Mind” lessons has been developed by Sam Chin (grandmaster and honorary professor emeritus).

For this PCCE-supported project, Dr. Watterson and Mr. Lan Tran, from Cabrini University, are joining with Dr. Michael Murray from Bard College as well as key ZXD representatives, Grandmaster Sam F.S. Chin and Instructor Richard Kelly from the community partner organization International I Liq Chuan Association—the Martial Art of Awareness. (The organization is based in NY, and its Zhong Xin Dao curriculum is taught globally in over 22 countries).  

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Past CGL Events

From July 2021 until now, the Center has been emphasizing its commitment to global engagement through local learning (GELL). It has already begun to highlight the important interplay these principles and values.  Check out some of our recent initiatives below. 

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FLAMENCO/RUBA workshop with master teacher Elba Cena

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  • July 16, 2022 – at Dixon Center (1 day Zhong Xin Dao workshop on “Spinning Hands,” with Master Hsin Chin)
  • December 2021 – Grandmaster Sam FS Chin at Cabrini University – 1 day workshop. Featured in the Zhong Xin Dao/ Martial Art of Awareness electronic newsletter - Workshops & Events around the World – USA (Nov. Dec)
  • July 2021 - Zhong Xin Dao/ Martial Art of Awareness electronic newsletter – and blog featured-“Reflections on Balancing & Beginning Again” 

Cultural Arts, Histories & Heritage Programming

Zhong Xin Dao/ Martial Art of Awareness electronic newsletter- and May faculty development, under Exchanges with Flamenco and ZXD featured here.

 

 Mission

 

 

Exposing students and faculty through preliminary events, especially honoring people of all backgrounds, strategies for academic excellence, and embodied/creative forms of leadership

Collaborating with Wolfington Center on community-partnership survey and ongoing Interfaith initiatives

Outreach to Current and Prospective Students

Fall Speaker event held Oct. 20, 2021 –featuring international documentarian, filmmaker, and producer, Hao Wu. His documentary works (on LGBTQ issues, anti-Asian experiences, ethnic biases, immigration, etc. were presented to 70+ students through 4 classes and additional members in evening discussion open to public in person or hybrid options.

Engagement with Local Communities

July (7/24/21) Grandmaster and honorary Professor emeritus  Sam F.S. Chin event hosted at community partner, Kun Yang Lin’s Chi Movement Art Center (KYL/D studio in Philly). 30 people attended from 7 states, including 2 current and Cabrini alum) Nancy/Lan facilitated an exchange between Temple Prof. of Dance, (Kun-yang Lin) and GM Sam Chin (honorary doc. Emeritus)

Weekly classes in Martial Art of Awareness offered through Internal Fusion Studio in Philadelphia; 2 student fellows from Cabrini’s Balance Learning Community trained.

 

Recognition (local, national, or international)

 

Dr. Watterson and Mr. Lan Tran continue presenting their work in mindful movement through regional, national and international venue; will develop this in future years to connect through the Center as its mission, goals, name, logo, and presence develops through this year of strategic planning.

Media mentions

Cabrini U (through Dr. Nancy Watterson and Lan Tran’s work as Coordinators of the ZXD Academic Approach) mentioned in various Martial Art of Awareness social media venues (monthly newsletter and FB page: reach of @ 2000+).

Grants/Fundraising

Dr. Watterson received IFYC (interfaith youth core) course dev award ($1,000) in spring 2021 as did fellow AST instructor, Martell Oliver—integrating DEI into Capoeira class.

Received gracious support through the Wolfington Center for Civic Engagement and the UISFL grant to bring international Chinese filmmaker, Hao Wu to campus for a day of classroom presentations and public appearances (both virtual and hybrid).

Friendraising

Basic connections with faculty across the nation.

National Learning Community Conference (Oct. 24/virtual) – Dr. Watterson presented her work on mindful movement through multiple sessions, representing Cabrini and sharing materials. Informal outreach to folklorists, ethnographers, and practitioners from various traditions to brainstorm new center’s focus and mission; preliminary contacts for Advisory board and Affiliates are emerging.