Life at NaropaCompassion in the World

Compassion in the World

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail

At Naropa, we see mindfulness and looking inward as intimately tied to a life of service and contributing to the social and ecological good. Naropa’s contemplative approach to academic service learning empowers students to draw inspiration from their own and others’ personal challenges and triumphs, to build connection to communities, and to gain the confidence and focus needed to discover their path and set forth.

Through this dynamic process, students learn that we are interdependent with all others and come to feel aware of, and connected to, the joys and sufferings of the whole Earth community. Students begin to recognize that true transformation can never be only personal. It naturally and inherently involves an authentic relationship with oneself, others, the human and non-human community, and the planet.

Through service learning, internships, volunteer placements, and independent and collaborative research projects, students apply the insights cultivated in the classroom to real-world challenges.

A Naropa student experiences diverse opportunities for community engagement inside and outside the classroom. Graduate students pursue professional training as artists, chaplains, educators, environmental leaders, counselors, scholars, and writers. Undergraduate students prepare for professional employment in a myriad of fields. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, students learn to attend to and care for the inner dimensions of experience thus developing knowledge, skills, and artistry that support social and ecological justice. In the context of a community, students learn to meet the world as it is and change it for the better.

Visit our alumni profile page to see some of the many ways our graduates are contributing.

YOU ARE READY.

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

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Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

Admissions & Aid

If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.