- About
The team
Shawn Mesman
“Shawn is a great inspiration to me (Nadine) and to those around him when it comes to promoting peace and tranquility. Through intense life events, Shawn has gathered a substantial set of tools to maintain his grounding and love for life and himself. He is a master at observing people, both mentally and physically, and often articulates what others have been searching for within themselves for a long time.
His love for life and fellow human beings makes many people feel safe and comfortable around him quickly, allowing them to embark on a transformation. With his inexhaustible source of motivation and discipline, Shawn continues to develop as a person to be of value to his environment. He takes people on a journey to their true selves by being a mirror and speaking honestly and openly about what he sees, hears, and feels.
A large part of Shawn’s joy in life came from his love for adventurous outdoor activities. Backpacking in the wilderness, rock climbing, white water paddle boarding, and skiing are some of the things he loved to fill his days with. Until one day in 2022, this all seemed to be a thing of the past when a sudden paralysis in his left leg put him in a wheelchair. After a long process in the US with countless hospital visits, the chances of recovery were nil.
After a visit from a friend who told him about a place in India where they might be able to help him, Shawn left the North American continent for the first time in his life, full of hope, to follow a rehabilitation process there. This process ultimately resulted in a well-functioning leg again after 5 months of pain, sweat, and tears. His complete dedication to regaining his health has inspired many and significantly changed his own perspective on life.”
Shawn: “Anything is possible, as long as the will is there and you have trust and faith that it’s possible. I can accept almost all situations in life as they are… but I also know that the possibilities of our potential are infinite. Staying open to that and taking others along in that journey is my personal mission.”
Nadine van Bennekom
“Nadine’s courage and authenticity inspired me (Shawn) to keep pushing through a very challenging rehabilitation. Her humble and open confidence kept me from excuses while her joyful approach to life softened the path along the way.
The longer I have known her the more I have been able to witness how she has given and continues to give this gift to the people around her. People she helped in her refugee work stop her in the street to thank her, people she has met traveling and those at home call up to get advice.
She went to India to answer questions of who she was and find meaning in life. She visited the burning ghats in India’s holy city of Varanasi, where she watched the tradition of open cremation on the river Ganges. She went to multiple silent meditation retreats. Listened to the Dalai Lama give lessons on compassion and stayed with a family in the Himalayas living the way they live.
All of these experiences have deepened her appreciation for life, the body we have that takes us everywhere we go, and the mind that lets us feel and experience this life in every way.
She brings her experience as a refugee worker, her own journey of self-discovery, passion for the world and people around her failures and successes into her compassionate and strong approach to helping people that are bravely setting out on their own personal journey.
Her journey has changed what she felt was the meaning of life and has shown her more clearly how she fits into the world around her.
“Life is about love and love is in openness and truth”
Nadine embodies KA-TANG and is a lovely guide for those brave enough to jump into the void.”