The nonprofit Chrysalis Institute, founded in Richmond more than 20 years ago, is offering a fall selection of programs entitled Living Fully, Dying Mindfully. Death is a part of life, and the ultimate mystery has a direct impact upon the quality and nature of our living.

           Fall programs include the October 10 keynote speaker, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, a national columnist and award-winning author. From 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), Shapiro will present What’s Death Got To Do With It?, exposing how our beliefs about the afterlife greatly impact how we live while offering a healing understanding of birth and death.

      Additional programs include a discussion of neuroscience and death, an interfaith panel entitled Wisdom Perspectives on Life and Death, a Death Café community dialogue, and a four-evening series on Mindfulness and Compassion for Caregivers led by certified mindfulness instructors.

      Acceptance of our mortality offers a reckoning with beliefs, values and fears. At the same time, there is an opportunity to transform those fears surrounding death into inspiration for vibrant and purposeful living. That is the perspective Chrysalis seeks to explore with its fall programs.

Location: 3527 Ellwood Ave. For more information about programs, speakers and practice groups, visit ChrysalisInstitute.org.