Suggested Reading List

Introduction to Transpersonal Psychology & Psychotherapy

  • Bennett-Goleman, T. (2001). Emotional Alchemy. New York: Three Rivers.

  • Boorstein, S. (1996). Transpersonal Psychotherapy. New York: State University of New York Press.

  • Cortwright, B. (1997). Psychotherapy and Spirit: Theory and practice in transpersonal psychotherapy. Albany: State University of New York Press.

  • Epstein, M. (1995). Thoughts without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist perspective. New York: BasicBooks.

  • Germer, C., Siegel, R., and Fulton, P. (Eds.). (2005). Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press.

  • Nelson, J. (1994). Healing the Split: Integrating spirit into our understanding of the mentally ill. New York: State University of New York Press.

  • Scotton, B., Chinen, A., and Battista, J.(Eds.). (1996). Textbook of Transpersonal Psychiatry and Psychology. New York: Basic Books.

  • Walsh, R. (1999). Essential Spirituality: The 7 central practices to awaken heart and mind. New York: Wiley & Sons.

  • Walsh, R. and Vaughan, R. (1993). Paths beyond Ego: The transpersonal vision. San Francisco: Tarcher.

Counseling

  • Goleman, D. (2003). Destructive Emotions: A scientific dialogue with the Dalai Lama. New York: Bantam.

  • Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. New York: Bantam.

  • Muller, W. (1992). Legacy of the Heart: The spiritual advantage of a painful childhood. New York: Fireside.

  • Naranjo, C. (1993). Gestalt Therapy: The attitude and practice of an atheoretical experientialism. Nevada City, CA Gateways.

  • Ram Dass and Gordon, P. (1985). How can I Help? New York: Knopf.

  • Satir, V. (1972). Peoplemaking. Palo Alto: Science and Behavior Books.

  • Vaughan, R. (1995). The Inward Arc: Healing in psychotherapy and spirituality. Nevada City, CA: Blue Dolphin Press.

  • Wegela, K. (1996). How to be a Help Instead of a Nuisance. Boston: Shambhala

Meditation

  • Beck, C.J. (1989). Everyday Zen: Love and work. San Francisco : Harper & Row

  • Boorstein, S. (1996). Don’t Just do Something, Sit There: A mindfulness retreat. New York: HarperCollins.

  • Brach, T. (2003). Radical Acceptance. New York: Bantam.

  • Chodron, P. (1994). Start Where You Are: A guide to compassionate living. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Chodron, P. (1991). The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving Kindness. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Chodron, P. (1997). When Things Fall Apart: Heart advice for difficult times. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Epstein, M. (1998). Going to Pieces without Falling Apart. New York: Broadway.

  • Friedman, L. (1987). Meetings with Remarkable Women: Buddhist teachers in America. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Germer, C., Siegel, R., and Fulton, P. (Eds.). (2005). Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press.

  • Goldstein, J. (1983). The Experience of Insight. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Goleman, D. (1988). The Meditative Mind. New York: Tarcher/Putnam.

  • Kornfield, J. (1993). A Path with Heart. New York: Bantam.

  • Salzberg, S. (1995). Lovingkindness: The revolutionary art of happiness. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Shapiro, D. and Walsh, R. (Eds.). (1984). Meditation: Classic and contemporary perspectives. New York: Aldine.

  • Suzuki, S. (1970). Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. New York: Weatherhill.

  • Welwood, J. (1983). Awakening the Heart. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Welwood, J. (1990). Journey of the Heart: Path of conscious love. New York: HarperCollins.

Contemporary and Historical Transpersonal Perspectives

  • Assagioli, R. (1965). Psychosynthesis: A manual of principles and techniques. New York: Hobbs, Dorman.

  • Grof, C. and Grof, S. (1990). The Stormy Search for the Self. San Francisco: Tarcher.

  • Grof, C. and Grof, S., eds. (1989). Spiritual eEmergency. San Francisco: Tarcher.

  • Grof, S. (1985). Beyond the Brain. New York: SUNY.

  • Jung, C. (1961). Memories, Dreams, Reflections. New York: Vintage Books.

  • Singer, J. (1972). Boundaries of the Soul. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.

  • Whitmont, E. (1969). The Symbolic Quest. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

  • Washburn, M. (1988). The Ego and the Dynamic Ground: A transpersonal theory of human development. Albany: State University of New York Press.

  • Wilber, K. (1981). No Boundary. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Wilber, K. (1996). A Brief History of Everything. Boston: Shambhala.

  • Wilber, K. (2000). Integral Psychology: Consciousness, spirit, psychology, therapy. Boston: Shambhala.

Spiritual Traditions

  • Glazer, S. (1999). The heart of Learning: Spirituality in education. New York: J.P. Tarcher/Putnam.

  • Hixon, L. (1989). Coming Home: The experience of enlightenment in sacred traditions. Los Angeles: Tarcher.

  • Huxley, A. (1970). The Perennial Philosophy. New York: Harper/Colophon.

  • Muller, W. (1999). Sabbath: Finding rest, renewal, and delight in our busy lives. New York: Bantam.

  • Ram Dass. (1978). Journey of Awakening: A meditator’s guidebook. New York: Bantam.

  • Ram Dass. (2000). Still Here. New York: Riverhead.

  • Smith, H. (1994).The Illustrated World’s Religions: A guide to our wisdom traditions. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.

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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.  

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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

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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.