“The real meditation is how you live your life.”
– Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness — an inherent human ability — is strengthened through awareness and practice. With simple tools and basic skills that expand mental and emotional capacity, we can respond skillfully to difficult situations with confidence, as we make decisions and negotiate respectfully with coworkers.
A mindful revolution is spreading across all sectors of professional life, as organizations integrate mindfulness practices to grow efficiency, compassion, and creativity while employees increasingly seek balance at work and at home with self-awareness and equanimity.
Real Leadership delivers a transformational education and professional development experience designed to enhance performance in both work and daily life. Taught by an esteemed group of faculty and guests who combine decades of business and mindfulness experience, this cutting-edge course integrates contemplative practice, organizational learning, expressive arts, and neuroscience to help prepare leaders for the dynamic demands of the modern workplace.
You’ll learn to apply mindfulness to everyday work activities like strategic planning and decision making, teamwork, and navigating change. Additionally, you’ll gain mindfulness practices to use at home, boosting your ability to stay present, focused, and engaged.
This 8-module course includes:
Over 6 hours of on-demand video lectures
Guided contemplative exercises
Embodiment practices
Downloadable audio meditations
Self paced learning on any device, anytime
This 8-module course includes:
Over 6 hours of on-demand video lectures
Guided contemplative exercises
Embodiment practices
Downloadable audio meditations
Self paced learning on any device, anytime
Susan Skjei, PhD, is a leadership expert, consultant, and executive coach with over 25 years of experience catalyzing positive change for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Formerly a Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for a Fortune 1000 company, she excels in creating energetic and high-trust learning environments that accelerate organizational results and foster collaborative relationships. Susan has designed and facilitated numerous workshops and training programs across the US, Canada, and Europe, specializing in leadership, strategic planning, organizational culture, mindfulness, and change management. An Acharya (senior teacher) in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, Susan has been practicing and studying mindfulness meditation since 1970 and has been an authorized meditation instructor for over 30 years.
Susan Skjei, PhD, is a leadership expert, consultant, and executive coach with over 25 years of experience catalyzing positive change for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Formerly a Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for a Fortune 1000 company, she excels in creating energetic and high-trust learning environments that accelerate organizational results and foster collaborative relationships. Susan has designed and facilitated numerous workshops and training programs across the US, Canada, and Europe, specializing in leadership, strategic planning, organizational culture, mindfulness, and change management. An Acharya (senior teacher) in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, Susan has been practicing and studying mindfulness meditation since 1970 and has been an authorized meditation instructor for over 30 years.
Mary McHenry, M.Ed. is an educator, coach, and facilitator of leadership development. Her extensive experience in outdoor leadership, dance, and music provides the foundation for her current work with presence and embodiment as vital leadership skills. She has been an International Coach Federation certified coach and change management consultant for over 20 years, and is passionate about what authentically motivates and inspires people. Mary holds a Masters degree in Education, has taught graduate courses in applied leadership, coaching and presentation skills, and is currently the Senior Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at Naropa University.
Mary McHenry, M.Ed. is an educator, coach, and facilitator of leadership development. Her extensive experience in outdoor leadership, dance, and music provides the foundation for her current work with presence and embodiment as vital leadership skills. She has been an International Coach Federation certified coach and change management consultant for over 20 years, and is passionate about what authentically motivates and inspires people. Mary holds a Masters degree in Education, has taught graduate courses in applied leadership, coaching and presentation skills, and is currently the Senior Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at Naropa University.
Dale Asrael, MA has taught as Core Faculty in Naropa University’s Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program since 1993. In addition to teaching at Naropa, she is an Acharya (Senior Teacher) for Shambhala International, and leads meditation retreats and dharma programs internationally. She has been a practitioner and teacher of Buddhadharma and meditation for more than forty-five years, and is also an authorized teacher of traditional Daoist qigong in the Xiantianwujimen lineage of Eva Wong.
Dale Asrael, MA has taught as Core Faculty in Naropa University’s Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program since 1993. In addition to teaching at Naropa, she is an Acharya (Senior Teacher) for Shambhala International, and leads meditation retreats and dharma programs internationally. She has been a practitioner and teacher of Buddhadharma and meditation for more than forty-five years, and is also an authorized teacher of traditional Daoist qigong in the Xiantianwujimen lineage of Eva Wong.
Gaylon Ferguson, PhD, is a faculty member in Religious Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa University and an acharya, or senior teacher, in the Shambhala International Buddhist community. After studying meditation and Buddhist philosophy with Tibetan master Chögyam Trungpa in the 1970s and 1980s, he received a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Stanford where he was a Fulbright Fellow to Nigeria. Ferguson is the author of three books: Natural Bravery: Fear and Fearlessness as a Direct Path of Awakening, Natural Wakefulness: Discovering the Wisdom We Were Born With, and Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature. He has led group retreats in mindfulness-awareness meditation for more than 40 years.
Gaylon Ferguson, PhD, is a faculty member in Religious Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa University and an acharya, or senior teacher, in the Shambhala International Buddhist community. After studying meditation and Buddhist philosophy with Tibetan master Chögyam Trungpa in the 1970s and 1980s, he received a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Stanford where he was a Fulbright Fellow to Nigeria. Ferguson is the author of three books: Natural Bravery: Fear and Fearlessness as a Direct Path of Awakening, Natural Wakefulness: Discovering the Wisdom We Were Born With, and Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature. He has led group retreats in mindfulness-awareness meditation for more than 40 years.
Peter Grossenbacher, PhD, teaches primarily in Naropa’s psychology and counseling programs, as well as in undergraduate core classes. With a background in cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging from Stanford and the University of Oregon, his research explores consciousness, meditation, and the science of contemplative teaching and learning. A Mind & Life Fellow, he integrates scientific perspectives into teaching meditation and mindfulness. Peter’s work, including his book, Finding Consciousness in the Brain, has been featured in the New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine. He directs Naropa’s Consciousness Laboratory and trains faculty in contemplative pedagogy worldwide.
Peter Grossenbacher, PhD, teaches primarily in Naropa’s psychology and counseling programs, as well as in undergraduate core classes. With a background in cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging from Stanford and the University of Oregon, his research explores consciousness, meditation, and the science of contemplative teaching and learning. A Mind & Life Fellow, he integrates scientific perspectives into teaching meditation and mindfulness. Peter’s work, including his book, Finding Consciousness in the Brain, has been featured in the New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine. He directs Naropa’s Consciousness Laboratory and trains faculty in contemplative pedagogy worldwide.
Marty Janowitz is an executive coach, entrepreneur, mindfulness teacher, and trustee of Naropa University. He has founded or grown several private, nonprofit, and major publicly traded enterprises in diverse sectors including professional services, sustainable design and technologies, environmental performance, retail, and higher education. He’s served on numerous Boards including an Advisory Board at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Dalhousie University’s MBA Advisory Board, and the Nova Scotia Round Table on Environment and Sustainable Prosperity. In 2012 Marty was selected as a member of the Canada Clean 50, which recognizes outstanding contributors to sustainable development and clean capitalism. In his coaching work, Marty guides clients to access their inner resources of awareness, creativity, and confidence so that they become committed to leading from their authentic center.
Marty Janowitz is an executive coach, entrepreneur, mindfulness teacher, and trustee of Naropa University. He has founded or grown several private, nonprofit, and major publicly traded enterprises in diverse sectors including professional services, sustainable design and technologies, environmental performance, retail, and higher education. He’s served on numerous Boards including an Advisory Board at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Dalhousie University’s MBA Advisory Board, and the Nova Scotia Round Table on Environment and Sustainable Prosperity. In 2012 Marty was selected as a member of the Canada Clean 50, which recognizes outstanding contributors to sustainable development and clean capitalism. In his coaching work, Marty guides clients to access their inner resources of awareness, creativity, and confidence so that they become committed to leading from their authentic center.
Jim Rosen is a professional coach working with individuals and teams. His experience spans the breadth of both business and contemplative worlds. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded two successful software firms and has extensive experience in the technology industry. He was part of the founding management teams of Netegrity and LANSystems, both of which achieved leading market share positions in their respective spaces. In addition, he has held senior roles in some of the largest technology companies in the industry including Lotus Development and Genuity. He has been studying and teaching mindfulness for more than thirty years and was previously vice chair of the Naropa University Board of Trustees.
Jim Rosen is a professional coach working with individuals and teams. His experience spans the breadth of both business and contemplative worlds. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded two successful software firms and has extensive experience in the technology industry. He was part of the founding management teams of Netegrity and LANSystems, both of which achieved leading market share positions in their respective spaces. In addition, he has held senior roles in some of the largest technology companies in the industry including Lotus Development and Genuity. He has been studying and teaching mindfulness for more than thirty years and was previously vice chair of the Naropa University Board of Trustees.
Judith Simmer-Brown, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor of Contemplative and Religious Studies Emeritx at Naropa University, where she has taught as a Founding Faculty member since 1978. She has practiced Tibetan Buddhism for forty-five years and is an Acharya (Senior Teacher) of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Naropa’s founder. She is the founder and Senior Faculty Adviser to the Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education (CACE), exhibiting the University’s leadership as the pioneer institution for contemplative education. Dr. Simmer-Brown lectures and writes on Tibetan Buddhism, American Buddhism, women and Buddhism, inter-religious dialogue, and contemplative education.
Judith Simmer-Brown, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor of Contemplative and Religious Studies Emeritx at Naropa University, where she has taught as a Founding Faculty member since 1978. She has practiced Tibetan Buddhism for forty-five years and is an Acharya (Senior Teacher) of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Naropa’s founder. She is the founder and Senior Faculty Adviser to the Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education (CACE), exhibiting the University’s leadership as the pioneer institution for contemplative education. Dr. Simmer-Brown lectures and writes on Tibetan Buddhism, American Buddhism, women and Buddhism, inter-religious dialogue, and contemplative education.
Tami Simon founded Sounds True, a multimedia publishing company, at the age of 22 with the mission of disseminating spiritual wisdom. As a pioneer in the conscious business movement, she focuses on bringing authenticity and heart into the workplace while honoring multiple bottom lines. Tami hosts a popular weekly podcast called Insights at the Edge, where she has interviewed many of today’s leading teachers, delving deeply into their discoveries and personal experiences on their own journeys. With Sounds True, she has released the audio program Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life, and Love.
Tami Simon founded Sounds True, a multimedia publishing company, at the age of 22 with the mission of disseminating spiritual wisdom. As a pioneer in the conscious business movement, she focuses on bringing authenticity and heart into the workplace while honoring multiple bottom lines. Tami hosts a popular weekly podcast called Insights at the Edge, where she has interviewed many of today’s leading teachers, delving deeply into their discoveries and personal experiences on their own journeys. With Sounds True, she has released the audio program Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life, and Love.
Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Sensei, is an author, maverick spiritual teacher, master trainer and founder of Center for Transformative Change. Named “the most vocal and most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America” by Library Journal, she has been bridging the worlds of personal transformation and justice since the publication of her critically-acclaimed book, Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace. Known for her direct and compassionate approach, Rev. angel believes that inner transformation is key to societal change. Rev. angel is an ordained Zen priest, and the second black woman recognized as a teacher in her lineage.
Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Sensei, is an author, maverick spiritual teacher, master trainer and founder of Center for Transformative Change. Named “the most vocal and most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America” by Library Journal, she has been bridging the worlds of personal transformation and justice since the publication of her critically-acclaimed book, Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace. Known for her direct and compassionate approach, Rev. angel believes that inner transformation is key to societal change. Rev. angel is an ordained Zen priest, and the second black woman recognized as a teacher in her lineage.
The self-paced online course begins as soon as you enroll. You decide when you start and when you finish.
This Naropa On-Demand course is available through our online Learning Management System, Thinkific. After enrolling, you will be able to access the course at anytime through your Thinkific Dashboard.
For more information about Naropa On-Demand courses, visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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.
