Events: stimulating, interactive webinars
Communication, Including Nonviolent Communication
In these interactive presentations and workshops led by David B. Alexander, LP, we will study and experience importance aspects of communication and relationships.
We will also apply insightful and compassionate communication to issues or questions that the attendees bring in. If there are no issues or questions brought by attendees, the facilitator will provide sample situations for discussion.
As a psychotherapist, David has seen the value of these principles and has guided numerous couples and individuals to improve the quality of their communication and their relationships.
Modern Zen and Buddhism
Zen and Buddhism are, in essence, the same topic. Zen is known for its more concise expression, while the original Buddhist teachings discuss, with great care and detail, human nature and how to transform suffering. Each has its place!
Most important is helping reduce suffering in today's world, through wisdom and compassion attuned to the realities and choices of daily life.
As a long-time practitioner of Zen, David B. Alexander presents and discusses the meaning of this ancient teaching for each of us today. Zen and Buddhism are the study of and the connection with our true selves.
Upcoming events: all categories
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Saturday, December 7 · 11am EST (1h 30m)
Join this interactive, free monthly workshop dedicated to improving on important relationships and your own awareness and wel…
Read moreJoin this interactive, free monthly workshop dedicated to improving on important relationships and your own awareness and well-being.
Daily life often consists of small and fairly simple interactions that keep things running smoothly or at least meet needs of the moment.
In addition to those simple interactions, there are the conversations that involve important and perhaps challenging content: hurt, anger, and even feelings of love and emotional intimacy, which can be difficult to bring up or to fully take in when offered by another person.
And yet, these same conversations provide the opportunity to deepen mutual connection and strengthen relationships, as well as supporting one's own well-being.
Topics for discussion may include:
- The benefits of expression vs. silence: bring more life to your life
- Whose difficulty is it, anyway: understanding the real source of the problem
- Reframing the conversation: realizing that the negative is fundamentally based on a positive
- "Good" words / "bad" words: which words and phrases create more conflict, and which heal
We invite all participants to bring in their own real-life questions and challenges around the above topics, or other topics related to "difficult conversations."
There will be interactions in breakout rooms, although there will also be substantial full-group discussion.
Take a step back from the stresses and challenges of managing daily life, and re-connect with the building blocks that allow us to experience each moment and each day as a vibrant, satisfying experience.
The event is facilitated by David B. Alexander, Licensed Psychotherapist. In it, we will practice some interactive, experiential exercises to make it easier for us to use good communication in daily life. We will also apply Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to issues or questions that the attendees bring in, and David will facilitate the dialogue.
As a psychotherapist, David has seen the great value of these principles, and has guided numerous couples and individuals to improve the quality of their communication and their relationships.
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Note: it is recommended that people have their video / camera on during our session to asist in having more connection with others, especially during breakout room sessions.
The workshop meeting will take place online via Zoom. The meeting can be joined via ordinary phone, but for a full experience use of a computer will allow seeing all participants more easily.
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Other Resources for a better, more aware life
Escaping From Freedom
In times of division and loss of understanding ("How can 'those people' believe in that?"), we need to look more closely, with an open mind and heart.
This 19-page ebook builds on the insights of Erich Fromm's iconic 1941 book Escape From Freedom, with updated observations by psychoanalyst David B. Alexander.
Make sense of and find peace in today's world through better understanding. See the table of contents, and download your copy.
Learn Tai Chi Chuan Short Form
Classes in Long Island and
Workshops in NYC
Improve your well-being and vitality. You can do this through Tai Chi Chuan practiced with its full historical meaning and benefits.
It is a martial art and a practice benefiting well-being and physical health. Those active in music and dance performance have also reported important improvements.
Tai Chi Chuan helps our brain free itself from unwanted tensions, promoting an ability to respond with much less stress and more productively.
Inquiries by advanced students are also welcome.
An In-Person Presentation: Solving the Roots of Conflict
This 1/2 hour talk and discussion took place in 2024 at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island (www.ehsli.org). The topic is Solving the Roots of Conflict: A Nonviolent Approach. Introduction is by the Leader of EHSLI, Dr. Richard Koral.
David B. Alexander has been studying Zen since the age of 20, and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 25.
These are subtle and profound approaches to higher knowledge about the nature of life and one's true potential. Decades of practice and teaching have ripened this knowledge so that he values the opportunity to share and discuss his experience and information with others.
As a licensed psychotherapist, he finds value in gestalt therapy principles, nonviolent communication (an approach also known as "NVC") for couples, and modern psychoanalytic understanding. These are varied approaches to promoting well-being and a fulfilling life. Meditation and Tai Chi Chuan practice provide a foundation of insight and empathy, and a deeper understanding of what our life is about.