Zen Hospice leader’s
talks stress healing

Frank Ostaseski, founder of the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America, will participate in a two-day workshop here Friday and Saturday at Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St.

Hospice Hawaii and Central Union are sponsoring the workshop, "Healing Stories," from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Participation is limited to the first 100 people. The fee, including food and materials, is $105 a person for both events.

On Aug. 18, Ostaseski will give a "Healer's Art Public Talk" from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Central Union. The cost per person is $15.

He will offer practical methods and spiritual practices that support others and present a message that "accompanying the dying is more than just providing appropriate medical care. It is a spiritual practice: 'The Healer's Art.'"

The workshops will emphasize the importance of a person's own stories in honoring death and give them a proper place in contemporary life. The goal is to help people rediscover spiritual dimensions of dying.

Ostaseski has introduced thousands to the philosophy and practices of compassionate care of the dying through lectures, retreats and workshops. He directed the Institute on Dying, the Zen Hospice Project's educational arm.

His work has been featured by the Bill Moyers television series "On Our Own Terms," the PBS series "With Eyes Open," the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and in many print publications.

For more information, call 924-9255, ext. 300.