Brandon WilliamsCraig+bio

[I][http://bdwc.net/] was born and mostly educated in Dallas TX, emigrated to California for a traditional martial [apprenticeship][http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/info.html] and a slew of professional certifications and graduate degrees, became a husband and then a father. I am a [Culturesmith][http://culturesmith.net/] and [ Guardian of Peace][http://guardiansofpeace.org/], a [ community builder][http://communityx-roads.org/facilitator/listings/], [mythologist][http://www.mythology.org/], [psychologist][http://www.jungianstudies.org/about.htm], [ peace][http://www.peacejusticestudies.org/] [activist][http://www.trainingforchange.org/], performer/demonstrator, [facilitator][http://abcglobal.blogspot.com/2007/01/partial-facilitation-history-for-abc.html], [ academic][http://www.pacifica.edu/dp_maphd_mythology.html], writer and [public intellectual][http://ferventideology.blogspot.com/2007/05/things-with-which-we-need.html], teacher of [Aikido and martial nonviolence][http://aikidoofberkeley.com/], [ student of "progressive" media][http://savingsounds.org/], [non-profit director][http://processarts.net/index.html], and critic/ synthesizer/[ transmogrifier][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmogrifier] of ideas.

I am a co-founder of [Association Building Community][http://abcglobal.net/]. In the 90's I coined and we developed the term " [Process Arts][http://del.icio.us/tag/processarts]" to reintroduce auto-systemic criticism into education beside the liberal arts. The term was also intended and is used (by many including [Peggy Holman][http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/103-1275110-2720644?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Peggy_Holman], [Tom Devane][http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/103-1275110-2720644?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Tom_Devane], [Steven Cady][http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/103-1275110-2720644?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Steven_Cady] - see [this entry][http://ferventideology.blogspot.com/2002/03/process-arts-mentioned-in-change.html] for the text from their The Change Handbook - [John Abbe][http://ourpla.net/cgi/pikie?ProcessArts], and [several][http://2007.recentchangescamp.org/Process_Artists] [others][http://processarts.wagn.org/wiki/Process_Arts]) to refer to the cultural trend arising from the relatively new spectrum of vocations dedicated to cultivating conscious relationship disciplines. Especially as it relates to the kind of education that is essential for democracy, Process Arts as a term invokes and pairs with the Liberal Arts and, as an idea, has proved quite useful in bridging the distance between "progressive" and "conservative" groups both eager to discuss and effect the social changes happening before their eyes. I have focused on building and articulating my contribution to this work for the past several years, working [within our community][http://www.abcglobal.net/members/] and Council, obtaining an (almost finished) Ph.D., and exploring several other avenues which are in the process of maturing.

My wife, Lisa, and I lost our 15 month old son, Aidan, for no reason that anyone can tell us just before Christmas 2006. We pulled up stakes to wander the nation for several months so that our fundamental sense of homelessness had a place to become more real and authentic. As we traveled I gave demonstrations, offered classes, and [enter into conversations and relationships with other professionals][http://processarts.net/LFF.html] working toward peace (community), education, and social justice. As often happens in transitions of this scope our financial situation became rather tight, but the need to connect and continue working is stronger than ever. I hope you will be interested in a demonstration (of [Aikido][http://ferventideology.blogspot.com/2002/01/aikido-is-effective-martial-art-and.html], theater and vocal arts and games, storytelling, or mythological study), facilitation, teaching in-service, class, presentation, or consultation and, in light of what you read here, will consider your needs and those of the people in your sphere of influence.

Teaching children and those who identify as being at some disadvantage has always been one of my core purposes. I offer groups on margins a free class or series of classes that combines theater, storytelling, Aikido, and conflict resolution geared to be developmentally appropriate. I ask adults involved to help with free-will donations and circulating the word that I am available. I have thousands of hours in group process, hundreds of those as a mediator or facilitator, and would be more than happy to offer process options, help plan, or be available for back-up of whatever kind is needed. [Humor][http://rectax.blogspot.com/] is a prominent feature in my offerings and deep echoes of grief and re-creation often surface while the work continues. I assist Kendra and [Huston Smith][http://www.hustonsmith.net/], the latter of whom recently brought me into the Pacific Coast Theological Society in hopes that I would " [make trouble][http://ferventideology.blogspot.com/2006/11/introduction-to-pacific-coast.html]". I may.

I also work with large groups to create conferences and seminars. ABC has a [Saving Sounds][http://savingsounds.org/] project in partnership with [Conference Recording Service][http://conferencerecording.com/], collecting audio and visual records of the Process Arts as they develop, so I record conferences for part of my living. I manage teams of conference recording professionals and would be happy to connect you with CRS or lend a hand in any capacity to make an event run more smoothly. I have extensive I.T. skills, have been planning, directing, and providing security for events and presenting in public for over thirty years, and would be happy to provide event coordination assistance, or become part of your existing team.