Online Retreat

The Wisdom of Storytelling: The Power of Story to Awaken Hearts

Alisa Dennis
Since the beginning of humanity, people have told and listened to stories to engage, heal, inspire, and co-create shared worlds. In telling and listening, we discover what it’s like to be alive—to love, grieve, overcome, and laugh—and we glean insight about our world and ourselves. While we’re encouraged in Buddhist traditions to let go of the stories we tell ourselves, Buddhism has used storytelling to impart the teachings of the Buddha for thousands of years. In this workshop, we’ll practice honoring our life experiences, bringing mindfulness to listening and speaking, and understanding one another more deeply. When storytelling is diverse, a richness, complexity and intelligence emerge as we build our capacity to embrace multi-storied experiences. Developing such a capacity broadens our heart’s capacity to hold all things. Participants will share stories in small groups. We will begin with brief warm-up practices in the morning and end the day sharing longer stories.

Teaching Team

Alisa Dennis, PhD

Alisa Dennis, PhD

Teacher

Alisa Dennis, Ph.D., discovered meditation through her study of ancient mystical traditions. She’s trained in Soto Zen and is most recently authorized to teach in the Theravada tradition.

She is a licensed psychologist and Somatic Experiencing practicer in Los Angeles, where she supports people as they move through life transitions.

You Might Also Like

Retreat Online

Saturday, August 3 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

How to be a Bodhisattva: Zen Insights on the Way of Compassion 

In this daylong retreat, we’ll explore teachings about the Bodhisattva path—the way of friendliness and compassion—and we’ll study a short text of Dogen, the 13th Century founder of Soto Zen, called “The Bodhisattva’s Four Methods of Guidance.” This poetic text offers four practices designed to awaken the bodhisattva spirit: generosity, kind speech, beneficial action, and identity action. Together, we’ll spend time experiencing Dogen’s words through meditation and writing.

Norman Fischer

Norman Fischer

Learn More

Retreat Online Hybrid

Sunday, August 4 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Faith in Yourself: Compassion Practices for Cultivating Freedom from Self-Doubt

5 CE Credits. Many of us find it hard to believe that we have what it takes to do this practice. Seeing into this doubt with compassion and wisdom can not only help us be free from the pain it causes, but it can open us to the possibility of trusting ourselves and all aspects of our experience. This day of practice is an invitation to understand and find freedom from self-doubt and tap into the fullness of our potential in this life.

Matthew Brensilver

Matthew Brensilver

Cara Lai

Cara Lai

Learn More

Retreat Online

Sunday, August 11 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Everything Is Practice: A Guide for Insight Meditation Retreats

Join us for an inspiring evening with our beloved Gil Fronsdal, who will share his insights from decades of experience teaching silent meditation retreats, as well as guiding others in retreat practice. With roots in both the Insight and Zen traditions, Gil will draw on teachings from his latest book, Everything is Practice: A Guide for Insight Meditation Retreats. Our time together will include a brief guided meditation, reflections, and Q&A.

Gil Fronsdal

Gil Fronsdal

Learn More