This fall, Chrysalis Institute presents a rich and varied array of classes, workshops and programs focused on the theme, The Narrative Thread: Story and the Search for Meaning. Beginning with Carol Jacob’s Once Upon a Time: The Fairy Tale and Transformation, September 17 and ending with Alex Peavey’s, The Hero’s Journey, November 10 through December 8, all of the offerings explore the stories, myths and narratives of life—the internal stories of the self, the narrative threads that weave through human history and the stories that divide and unite us.

The fall lineup, beautifully woven with humor, dialogue and mindfulness, offers an eye-opening keynote on October 6—The Myth We Live In with Devdutt Pattanaik, a popular TED presenter, author, mythologist and leadership consultant. In an inspiring talk, Pattanaik investigates how we bridge the divide of our subjective truths; whether those divides lie in the great cultural differences of East and West or the personal divide across our own kitchen table.

To launch their fall program season, Chrysalis is partnering with Richmond Peace Education Center, James River Writers and the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond to bring Mini Memoir, a participatory public art project, to this year’s RVA Peace Festival on September 10 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church from 11am to 5pm. Can you sum up your life, this moment, your personal journey in six words? You’d be surprised.

For more information about the fall programs, the Mini Memoir project or to become a Chrysalis member, visit ChrysalisInstitute.org.