Dr. Sheila Fling

Sheila Sensei has received 13 licenses & four teaching certificates in Chanoyu from the Urasenke Foundation in Kyoto. Received Junkyoju, the first degree teaching certificate October 13, 2017. Has studied the Way of Tea since 1992, in Japan and the US. (see My Chado Teachers). Teach Chado lessons and give demonstrations and lectures for conferences, universities, art museums, churches, other organizations, & private gatherings. Have “done tea” on six continents including Japan, India, Tanzania, US, Peru, Russia, & Australia.One hour program on Austin Access TV. Was also featured on the TV program “Texas Country Reporter.” (For more detail, click on the Chado on the menu bar).

Completed four semesters of Japanese using Japanese the Spoken Language and The Written Language by E. H. Jordan.

Completed courses in Japanese history, art, dance, and cooking.

Reading in Buddhism; been active in Zen groups; research, practice, and teach meditation.

Spent three weeks in Japan, Summer 1991; attended two conferences; stayed in a Buddhist temple.

Spent six months in Japan, January—July, 1992. Stayed in Buddhist temples; studied meditation, Morita and Naikan psychotherapies; did library work; gave guest lectures; began research on Workaholism and Health; studied tea ceremony; had a few lessons in sumie, calligraphy, ikebana, archery and incense; attended many festivals, Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, music and dance programs. Met with Japanese psychology professors and students.

Fellow, Japan Studies Institute, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, San Diego State University, Summer, l993.

Spent five weeks in Japan, Summer, l993; attended two conferences, climbed Mt. Fuji San; have now traveled on all four main islands; studied tea and meditation; stayed in Buddhist temples; attended festivals.

Spent one month in Japan, July, l995; had a fellowship to study tea at the Urasenke Foundation in Kyoto; presented workshop for Kansai International Association of Counselors and Psychotherapists; spent several days each at a Buddhist temple and a monastery. (This month was followed by another month in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Thailand to broaden my Asian horizons.)

Lived in Japan June, 1996–June, 1998. Receive a fellowship for half-time study of chado for two years in Midorikai & ICI at Urasenke Foundation, Kyoto. Half-time Director of International Studies at Aoibashi Family Clinic, Kyoto, one year. Half-time professor at Osaka Kokusai Joshi Daigaku, Osaka, one year.

Spent three weeks in Japan June 1999. Attended conference on Zen & Jungian psychology. Received study grant at the Urasenke Foundation. Lived in Zen temple.

Spent three weeks in Japan, June 2003. Presented paper at conference, “Hiroshima & Nagasaki Reconsidered,” studied tea ceremony.

Spent three weeks in Tokyo, summer 2005. Studied Chado.

Developed and taught a course for Honors Students on “The Japanese Psyche.”

Arranged VISIT (Visiting International Scholars in Texas) for visiting professor Yuji Sakano Sensee of Waseda University to consult and give guest lectures on our campus.

Arranged University Lecture and Workshop by visiting Soto Zen Buddhist monk-scholar Shohaku Okumura Sensee of the Minnesota Zen Center.

Arranged & promoted sell-out performance at SWT by Tetshin Daiko Drum Troupe from Oita, Japan.

Member, Asia Study Group (Faculty group for expanding Asian studies at SWT) 1994–1995.

Give lectures on Japanese culture and psychology (e.g., Japanese Verbal & NonVerbal Communications; Japanese Women; Japanese Self, etc.) for universities and other organizations.

Japan America Society of Austin, member 1990– , Board of Directors l993–95, 99– .

Japan America Society of Greater Austin, current member, programs in Chado & Japanese communication styles.

Japan America Society of San Antonio, member l990–1995, 99– .

Austin-Oita Sister City Committee Board of Directors, l993– .

Austin-Japan Connection, member l993–5.

Austin Japan Association, member 1994–5, 1999–present.

Houston Urasenke Friends of Tea, one of the chairpersons, l993–1996.

Entertain Japanese guests frequently (visiting professors, teachers, students, parents, etc.).