The caption for the above photo, which appears in today's LA Times: "Los Angeles Housing Department officials wield bamboo swords under the guidance of a Zen priest as part of their management training."
Apparently, the department has paid Norma Wong, a Zen Buddhist priest from Hawaii, $18,819 over the last two years to help employees relax and gain confidence by swinging around bamboo sticks. Employees also practice breathing techniques with sphincter control. It's basically like any team-building session at any company. Like playing paintball or practicing trust falls, for instance, notes the Times.
· Zen and the art of management [LA Times]