Alumni Profiles

John Ehrhart
MA Transpersonal Psychology, 2005

When John finished Naropa’s MA in Transpersonal Psychology in 2005, he continued to manage a successful land surveying business, Integral Surveying, Inc., that he had built over fourteen years, but he also began to move his life in new directions. He has developed two companies focused on transpersonal psychology. One is called Restorative Divorce, and the other is called Open Path, whose purpose is to support self-awareness trainings. John serves now as restorative justice facilitator for both the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department and the Town of Erie Police Department. In addition, he provides meditation instruction for the Prison Dharma Network at both the Boulder County Jail and Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center.

John’s MA program led him to complete a certificate with the Colorado Peacemaker Institute and undergo leadership training with the Integral Institute.

John has been married for fifteen years and has four children. He is a singer-songwriter, coaches soccer, and enjoys camping in the wilderness with his children, mountain climbing, mountain biking, skiing and philosophizing. He is informed greatly by his meditation practice and the daily practice of being in relationship. He brings qualities of openness, acceptance, equanimity and humor to his work.

Donna Karaba
MA Transpersonal Psychology, 2005

Prior to coming to Naropa, Donna admits: “From the outside, I had a pretty successful career in the corporate world. On the inside, I was disappointed, feeling like I was faking it, often unable to put my heart and soul into my work, disconnected from my true self, unsure of my passion and how to express it at work. Finally, I gave myself a gift of the [low residency] Transpersonal Psychology degree at Naropa. Naropa helped me find my true self. I feel that I am successful now, and can claim that honorably. My heart and soul are most definitely in my work as well as the rest of my life. I am feeling independent and much more spiritually connected and on track with what I have to bring to the world than ever before. I had sought financial security, not knowing that passion was the way.”

“I am working as an executive coach and enjoying this very much. I find that bringing spirit back to business is my mission now. How can we bring more passion to people's lives and especially the many who feel they aren't able, or don't know quite how, to find or express their passion at work? They may be "successful" but not happy or fulfilled. By working with leaders, I felt I could not only make a living doing what I love, but have a profound impact on many by working at the top of the organization and counting on the ripple effect.”

“I feel I have come close to accomplishing my personal mission which was to find my calling and demonstrate to my children that true happiness can be found by following your heart/passion and doing what you love. Naropa helped me take two giant steps in that direction. I am deeply grateful for being part of such a soulful program.”

“After being a teaching assistant at Naropa for two semesters, I decided to teach yoga at Miami University in Oxford, OH as my community service. I truly learned the value of service work. I worked with "Leadershape" students at Miami on keeping their vision alive by putting together a coaching program for their "Staying in Action" initiative. This program included group council practice and individual coaching.”

Subsequent to her degree, Donna put together a workshop called Work? I Thought I Was Playing!  “I am learning and sharing more about organizational actualization, the power of the imagination, and leading with love and logic. These are topics I plan to take out to the world and develop. I am placing interviews I have done and will continue to do on
my website at entitled "Dialogues with Authentic Leaders."

“Meditation continues to be a love I have and something some of my clients find useful.”