Stimulating, interactive webinar and workshop events, and reading
for individual events; also see other resources and testimonials at page bottom
Communication, Including Nonviolent Communication
In these interactive presentations and workshops led by David B. Alexander, licensed psychotherapist, 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.
Zen and Buddhism for Today
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. These are different angles on the same jewel.
Most important is helping reduce suffering in today's world, through wisdom and compassion attuned to the realities of daily life choices.
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, for our peace and joy, and to make a better world.
Upcoming events
To register for an event click "Buy now", or click the "Add" button for shopping cart to join more than one event
This four-event series combines insights and practical daily life expression from Nonviolent Communication and from Zen and Buddhist wisdom.
Through engaging presentations and discussion, participants explore ways to communicate more clearly, understand conection and conflict more skillfully, and deepen understanding and expression in relationships.
The series includes:
- Being a Leader, Being Led, and "Power With"
- Karma and Finding Your Liberated Mind
- Enjoying the Difficult Conversation and Making Things Better
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The Zen of Visionary Poet and Artist William Blake, and Our Human Potential
About David
David B. Alexander teaches effective and enjoyable communication to individuals and couples, as well as to executives and business owners, so that they can thrive in the social and working world in which we all live. A primary focus for his communication work is an approach called Nonviolent Communication, or "NVC".
NVC emphasizes authenticity in communication, but authenticity based on an empathetic understanding of self and others. NVC expression can be loud or quiet, diplomatic or direct, but is always intended to benefit all parties who are involved.
As a licensed psychotherapist, David also finds value in gestalt therapy principles, existential therapy, and modern psychoanalytic understanding. These are all approaches towards awakening for a fulfilling life.
In addition to psychotherapy work, he has been studying Zen since the age of 20 and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 25, and has been teaching since the early 1990s.
This four-event series combines insights and practical daily life expression from Nonviolent Communication and from Zen and Buddhist wisdom.
Through engaging presentations and discussion, participant…
Saturday, September 19 · 11am – 1pm ET
All of us are meant, eventually, to be leaders, and in some aspects of our lives we are leaders from the moment of birth. When an infant cries, she or he is trying at a visceral level to lead others to respond in a way that helps the infant and makes "the world" (as the infant experiences it) better.
How do we respond as adults to different strategies that others use to lead? And how do WE lead when we are in a position of leadership? How do we lead even when others do not call us a "leader" officially?
Issues we will explore include "power with" vs. "power over", ideas of protection vs. punishment, and the strength of vulnerability along with empowerment.
About David
David B. Alexander is a licensed psychotherapist based in Roslyn Heights, NY, with a practice that draws on principles of gestalt therapy, existential therapy, and Nonviolent Communication, as well as drawing on decades of Zen Buddhist and Tai Chi Chuan practice and teaching.
He has guided individuals, couples, and leaders through the challenges that we all face in experiencing a better life despite what are felt as external setbacks or our own mental blocks. He brings to this work not just clinical expertise, but the kind of depth that only comes from a lifetime of practice and a life fully lived.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, September 19 · 11am – 1pm ET
All of us are meant, eventually, to be leaders, and in some aspects of our lives we are leaders from the moment of birth. When an infant cries, she or he is try…
Saturday, October 10 · 11am – 1pm ET
Most of us know karma as, basically, the concept that our thoughts and actions have consequences, whether immediately or at some future time. Although that statement captures the basic principle of karma, there is significantly more to karma than that.
Another important teaching is the Four Immeasurables, which can be seen as a solution for creating good karma, leading to liberation. To find our true freedom we need to use our higher capacities as human beings, which help us break free from limitations. Actions that are "clean", and do not create bad karma, help us toward our own and others' liberation.
Our higher capacities allow us to cultivate a mind that frees itself from following past negative karma, gradually breaking those chains. By connecting to one's unlimited mind rather than to the narrow mind, we can help free ourselves and others from painful complications in living.
During and after the presentation we will discuss and practice these principles, and enjoy community.
About David
David B. Alexander is a licensed psychotherapist who has practiced Zen since 1970 — studying with teachers at the New York Zen Center in the '70s and '80s, and more recently, active at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY. He has been personally encouraged to offer public teachings by Enkyo Roshi (Pat O'Hara) of Village Zendo and Zen Master Wu Kwang (Richard Shrobe) of Chogye Zen Center.
He is also a 40+ year practitioner and teacher of Tai Chi Chuan, and a licensed psychotherapist whose clinical work draws on principles of gestalt therapy, existential therapy, and Nonviolent Communication.
When David teaches Zen, he isn't translating something he read. He is sharing something he has lived.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, October 10 · 11am – 1pm ET
Most of us know karma as, basically, the concept that our thoughts and actions have consequences, whether immediately or at some future time. Although that statem…
Saturday, November 14 · 11am – 1pm ET
Daily life often consists of small and fairly simple interactions that keep things running smoothly or at least meet the 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 all be difficult to bring up, or to fully take in when offered by another person.
And yet, these same, somewhat raw conversations provide the opportunity for deeper mutual connection, as well as supporting one's own well-being and vitality.
Topics for discussion will include:
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The benefits of expression vs. silence: bring more life to your life
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Handling anger well
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Handling affection and empathy well
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Reframing the conversation: realizing that the negative is fundamentally based on a positive
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"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."
About David
David B. Alexander teaches effective and enjoyable communication to individuals and couples, as well as to executives and business owners, so that they can thrive in the social and working world in which we all live. A primary focus for his communication work is an approach called Nonviolent Communication, or "NVC".
NVC emphasizes authenticity in communication, but authenticity based on an empathetic understanding of self and others. NVC expression can be loud or quiet, diplomatic or direct, but is always intended to benefit all parties who are involved.
As a licensed psychotherapist, David also finds value in gestalt therapy principles, existential therapy, and modern psychoanalytic understanding. These are all approaches towards awakening for a fulfilling life.
In addition to psychotherapy work, he has been studying Zen since the age of 20 and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 25, and has been teaching Tai Chi Chuan since the early 1990s.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, November 14 · 11am – 1pm ET
Daily life often consists of small and fairly simple interactions that keep things running smoothly or at least meet the needs of the moment.
In addition to tho…
Saturday, December 12 · 11am – 1pm ET
There is a deep connection between William Blake's worldview and the worldview of Zen Buddhism. Our human experience of Truth does not belong to only one cultural heritage, geography, or time; it belongs to all human beings and it is our potential to discover for ourselves.
Zen is concerned with finding the original, clear self and expressing our wholeness and energy in everyday life. There are many writings about how to find and live that original, clear self.
In his work, Blake portrayed the human being as ultimately what he called Albion, which represent the original human before our timeless fall from a fully healthy and integrated state of being.
Both Zen and the works of William Blake are pointing to the inner freedom and harmony that we each have in a fundamental way, but that we need to discover for ourselves.
More details
William Blake portrayed in striking and unique ways his understanding and experience of what our human nature is, and what our potential is. But why should we care about that?
What stands out is the deep connection between William Blake's worldview, and the worldview of Zen Buddhism. What this connection points out is that the truth does not belong to only one cultural heritage; it belongs to all human beings and is our potential to discover for ourselves.
Buddhism looks directly at that true self in all its expressions, and in many places Buddhism points out that its teaching is about understanding and living fully our human nature, and is not about a dogma.
About David
The teacher and facilitator, David B. Alexander, is a licensed psychotherapist. He studied William Blake's poetry and art while in high school in the 1960s. Since then he has re-read and studied many of those poems and artworks, as well as biographies and analyses of Blake and his works. This has led to understanding the natural connection between Blake's expression and the intuitive understanding that is fundamental to Zen.
David has practiced Zen since 1970, with teachers at the New York Zen Center in the 1970s and 1980s, and most recently has been active at the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY. He has been encouraged to offer public Zen talks by both Enkyo-Roshi (Pat O'Hara) of Village Zendo and Zen Master Wu Kwang (Richard Shrobe) of Chogye Zen Center.
In psychotherapy work, he uses gestalt therapy, psychoanalysis, existential therapy, and nonviolent communication to support individuals, couples, and leaders.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, December 12 · 11am – 1pm ET
There is a deep connection between William Blake's worldview and the worldview of Zen Buddhism. Our human experience of Truth does not belong to only one cultura…
Other Resources
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 and gestalt therapist David B. Alexander.
Human awareness is dynamically created based on our inborn temperament plus our life experiences. When too many factors combine to overcome a person's hope for well-being and meaning, a voluntary giving up of freedom can occur.
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
Monthly 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 benefits.
The classes in Long Island are for all levels; the monthly workshops in Manhattan are for those who already know a Yang-style Short Form.
You are welcome to make contact if you have further questions.
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, and has been teaching for over 30 years.
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, existential therapy, 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.
David's workshop on Non-violent Communication was insightful, practical and interactive. I especially appreciated the time he took to listen to and respond to people's real-life communication challenges. Practical and thoughtful workshop especially relevant in today's turbulent times.
— Terre Passero
President, Mindful Stress Management
I have attended some of David Alexander's webinars. I found them to be very informative and inspiring. He taught techniques which help people communicate respectfully, authentically and effectively. His presentations are outstanding.
— Susan Zang
I recently attended one of the online webinars hosted by this amazing psychotherapist and speaker. I was blown away by the depth of knowledge and wisdom that was shared during the session. I highly recommend attending one of his sessions in the future, you will not be disappointed!
— Andrey Volodin
I enjoyed every minute of the webinar. Your discussion of the important issues was very informative, useful and helpful. Your encouragement of us, the attendees, to participate and express our opinion was very valuable. I highly appreciate your professionalism, knowledge, experience, courtesy and patience.
The atmosphere at the meeting was very friendly and kind. I believe, no one (including myself) was uncomfortable in sharing the personal story(ies) and concerns. I further believe, that under your amazing guidance and leadership in the discussion, we all benefited from this meeting. Great job, David!
Thank you very much, and I look forward to your meetings in the future.
— Olga Ruh
Attorney
Psychotherapy Testimonials
I have been visiting regularly with David for four years now. David is an incredibly thoughtful therapist. He is both a great listener and he provides useful insights into why I am how I am, and how I can approach life more fully. His calm demeanor provide a peaceful sounding board for a wide range of topics.
— MS
These were on-going sessions and David was very helpful in assisting me in working out some important issues with my partner. He's a very good listener, but he also exercised control where it was needed. He's very good at cutting right to the point and he tries to give real solutions and then he follows up to see what worked and what didn't. He also works with compassion and humor so the whole experience was convivial, pleasant, and productive. I highly recommend him as a therapist and sympathetic human being.
— HM
David provided exactly the type of service I was looking for. I just needed to talk to someone who was willing to listen. His soft tone and gentle approach allowed our sessions to move smoothly and often times, too quickly. In person sessions felt like an afternoon in your living room, and the ability to web session meant you could actually be, in your living room. Appointments were easy and very rarely did conflicts arise. Sessions always started on time and there was never an overlap with another patient. When I felt I was in the right place to end our sessions, the reaction was nothing but positive and encouraging. The door was left open for any future needs.
— CC
I first met David through friends on social media. When I needed some one-on-one advice concerning family issues and communication, I contacted David for private sessions. Due to budgetary restrictions, I met with him for a limited time, once a week for 2 months. Even in that short time, it was a tremendous help to me, being supplied with commonsense tools for communicating effectively. We touched on Zen which I find fascinating and hope to pursue further. David has an easygoing nature that is contagious.
— JK
Tai Chi Chuan Testimonials
I have been attending Sunday afternoon workshops with Master David B. Alexander since last winter, meeting once a month.
Even though I have been studying T'ai-Chi Chuan for over 40 years I always feel that I learn something new in each of the classes. David provides a calm and supportive environment that is quite conducive to learning. He is a keen observer and gives clear, positive feedback.
— Master Bruce McCarter
Teacher of Tai Chi Chuan and Buddhism
David Alexander’s workshops are an excellent opportunity to practice and improve Tai Chi skills and understanding.
A senior student of Grandmaster William C. C. Chen, David’s workshops offer a welcoming, accepting environment for beginning, intermediate, and advanced Tai Chi practitioners to learn together.
— Master Steven Asherman
Founder, Content Galaxy Tai Chi Channel
David B. Alexander is an excellent and patient teacher who clearly interprets Grandmaster William CC Chen’s method of Tai Chi Chuan. The curriculum he teaches in his workshops is thorough and sincere. I highly recommend him. Your Taichi will improve whether you are a beginner or advanced student.
— Bernard Rozenberg
Long-time Tai Chi Chuan practitioner and Push-Hands enthusiast