Lori Laser head shot

Lori Laser

Trustee, Elected 2023

Glencoe, IL

EDUCATION:

BA, University of Iowa

Lori is a mindfulness practitioner and MBSR teacher, dedicated to preserving the integrity of the teachings and sharing the health benefits of mindfulness practice. With an understanding of the transformative power of contemplative practice, she is committed to self-awareness, inviting new ways of seeing and being. Lori is a catalyst for positive change, empowering and inspiring others to embrace mindfulness and authenticity in their personal and professional lives.

As a passionate advocate for social change, Lori is committed to making a positive impact by opening hearts and minds to the possibility of a more equitable and just world. Her journey began as a young girl, sparked by a profound curiosity and innate longing for meaning. Her ability to meet suffering with courage, sensitivity, and strength, has allowed her to channel her passion into compassionate action.

Lori is the Founder of The Growing Season, a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting systemic barriers by catalyzing holistic health focused community redevelopment projects. Through a social impact model, spaces are created where community and commerce come together. Currently she is co-developing The Aux, a $10 million project dedicated to racial equity and wellness in Evanston, IL.

Lori serves on the board of the Erikson Institute. She and her husband Ross live in the Chicago area where they have 4 grown children and 1 grandchild. In her free time, Lori loves being at her home in California, practicing yoga, hiking, and painting, surrounded by her books, dogs, and family.

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.