By DON FOWLER

A conversation with 2nd Story Theater’s artistic director, Ed Shea, is an exhausting roller coaster ride of emotions, free-flowing thoughts and ideas, references to great writers and thinkers.

I have followed Shea since his younger days as a Trinity Rep actor, through his early years in Newport and Providence as actor/director of 2nd Story theatre, to his current role as actor/director and power behind the current Upstairs/Downstairs 2nd Story’s permanent home in Warren.

Ed Shea has always come across as a hard-driven, demanding perfectionist who gives 100 percent of his energy to his craft, and expects those around him to do the same.

Shea has recently discovered and embraced the art of meditation, and he loves to talk about it and how it is changing his perspective on his life and his approach to the theatre.

He will be taking about it in a free lecture at the Shambala Meditation Center at 541 Pawtucket Ave. in Pawtucket (just over the Providence line) on Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.

“Acting and meditation have so many similarities,” Shea said. “It is how you look at a situation. It’s breathing and relaxation.”

Shea, an avid reader, quotes from James Joyce. “Mr. Duffy lives a short distance from his body.”

He then goes on to explain the quote as it relates to meditation, which he will explain in his presentation. Don’t miss it; it is fascinating.

Shea, who many actors will tell you, is a taskmaster who has been known to push his actors to their limits.

“I’m changing,” he tells me. “After practicing meditation for almost a year, I see similar philosophies. I’m teaching actors to be in the moment, not to rush past the moment, to stop asking, ‘Why is this happening?’ but rather ‘What is happening’?

“I’m a big fan of Mamet,” he said. “In his essays on acting he emphasizes what is going on with the other person, to be present in the moment.”

Shea said that his October 1 presentation will force him to put his abstract thoughts in context.

“The actors are open to what I am doing,” he said. “I’m changing.”

Does that mean a kinder, gentler Ed Shea?

He laughed. “I’m just starting. I’m still demanding. It will take some time and I need to articulate my thoughts.”

Articulate he will, and it should be interesting.

Those who know Ed Shea and have seen some of his productions know that he is a man of many words, thoughts and ideas who is always willing to change. For years he insisted on doing plays in the round with few sets. Lately, he has shifted to elaborate sets.

Who knows where his meditation techniques and philosophies will take him. Come to Shambala on October 1 and find out.