Mindful U at Naropa University
Religion & Spirituality
About
As the birthplace of the mindfulness movement in the United States, Naropa University has a unique perspective when it comes to higher education in the West. Founded in 1974 by renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar and lineage holder Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Naropa was intended to be a place where students could study Eastern and Western religions, writing, psychology, science, and the arts, while also receiving contemplative and meditation training. Forty-three years later, Naropa is a leader in ‘contemplative education’, a pedagogical approach that blends rigorous academics, contemplative practice, and experiential learning. Naropa President Chuck Lief explains, “Mindfulness here is not a class. Mindfulness is basically the underpinning of what we do in all of our classes. That said, the flavor or the color of mindfulness from class to class is really completely up to the individual faculty member to work on—on their own. So, what happens in a poetry class is going to look very differe
Episodes
- 113. The Science of Psychology: Mind, Perception, and Consciousness
In this episode, Peter Grossenbacher, PhD—Naropa faculty member and psychological researcher—explores the science of psychology through his research on perception, sensory experience, and psychedelic states, and how these insights bridge d…
- 112. The Art of Truly Listening: Spiritual Care for a World in Transition
In this episode, Dr. Ji Hyang Padma—Associate Professor in Naropa University’s Master of Divinity program, Soto Zen teacher, and longtime interfaith chaplain—explores the art and profession of spiritual care .Drawing on more than twenty-fi…
- 111. The Power of the Body: A Look at Somatic Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy
In this episode, Heather Sutton, MA, LPC—somatic counselor, Dance/Movement Therapist, and chair of Naropa’s Somatic Counseling program—explores the healing intelligence of the body through somatic therapy and dance/movement counseling. Dra…
- 110. Art Therapy: Healing the Inner Landscape
In this episode, Michael Franklin, PhD—author, professor, and former chair of Naropa University's graduate Transpersonal Art Therapy program—joins us to explore art as a transformative path for healing the soul. Franklin invites us into th…
- 109. The Journey of a Poet
New MindfulU Podcast episode: The Journey of a Poet with poet, Naropa Summer Writing Program faculty, and Brown University professor Eleni Sikelianos. In this episode, Eleni shares the unconventional path that led her to a life of poetry—f…
- 108. The Path and Craft of Fiction Writing
Laird is an alumnx of Naropa’s MFA Creative Writing program, former Naropa core faculty and Summer Writing Program faculty for 15 years, author of 9 novels, and current professor of writing at Brown University. In this episode, he takes us…
- 107. A Look at Career & Life
A new podcast episode is out: A Look at Career & Life. Curious what Career & Life Services at Naropa has to offer you as a student or alumnx? Jessica DelCastillo, Senior Director of Academic Advising and Career & Life Development, and Dani…
- 106. Translating Poetry: Finding the Heart
Did you know that translating poetry from one language to another is an art unto itself? In our latest episode of Mindful U podcast author, translator, and veteran, Bill Porter, who goes by the pen name Red Pine, takes us through the proce…
- 105. The Vow from Hiroshima
Mitchie Takeuchi is the writer and producer of the "The Vow From Hiroshima" a film about an atomic bomb survivor in Hiroshima who has dedicated her life to nuclear disarmament and activism. Mitchie is also a descendant of survivors of the…
- 104. The Essential Relationship of Mindfulness and Activism
Reggie Hubbard is a yogi, political campaigner and activist, speaker, and meditation instructor. On this episode he speaks to working with grief and how to heal, he tells his story of how he aligned his professional and spiritual life into…
- 103. Reexamining Imposter Syndrome and the Inner Critic
Artist, author, and leadership development trainer, Rosi Greenberg, breaks down the concept of the inner critic and redefines imposter syndrome. Our inner critic isn’t going anywhere, but it can become an ally when we come into relationshi…
- 102. Healing the Whole Person with Gestalt Therapy
Hear from Harmony Kwiker on the magic that is gestalt therapy. Harmony is a visiting professor of Naropa’s master's program in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling. She shares about how the gestalt therapy model has helped her bridge…
- 101. Midlife Emergence: Free Your Inner Fire
Our latest podcast with Jen Berlingo, MA, LPC, ATR is out today! Jen is a Naropa Alumnx of the MA Transpersonal Therapy program, a practicing coach, licensed therapist and author of her new book Midlife Emergence: Free Your Inner Fire. In…
- 100. Holistic Life Foundation: Let Your Light Shine
Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez are inspiring examples of what it looks like to build a successful non-profit that utilizes yoga and mindfulness to empower communities. They are the founders of The Holistic Life Foundation, a B…
- 99. Nova Han: Creating Immersive Spaces
In this episode we’re diving into the world of creative entrepreneurship with Nova Han. Nova is the Creative Director for Electric Forest Festival, String Cheese Incident, and much much more. She discusses how she got started in the space,…
- 98. Stephanie Yuhas, PhD: Honoring the Earth: Climate, Ecology, and Ecopsychology
In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Stephanie Yuhas, the chair of both Eco Psychology MA program and the environmental studies BA program at Naropa University. Dr. Yuhas discusses the topics of climate grief, eco anxiety, and how to mobili…
- 97. DJ CAVEM: The Cross-Pollination of Art and Sustainability
In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Ietef aka “DJ CAVEM”, international eco-hip hop artist, chef, organic gardener, and food justice advocate. DJ CAVEM shares about the important cross pollination of art and sustainability, and how food ju…
- 96. Barbara Bash: Heaven, Earth and Humanity—What Calligraphy Can Teach Us About Each Moment
We are happy to have Spring 2023 Lenz Distinguished Lecturer Barbara Bash join us to discuss her creative journey as a calligraphic artist. In this episode, she discusses everything from Western calligraphy's precision to Big Brushstroke c…
- 95. Valeria McCarroll, PhD: Somadelics, Pursuing Life with Psychedelic Support & Intentional Integration
Valeria McCarroll, PhD, joins us to discuss Somadelics, Pursuing Life with Psychedelic Support & Intentional Integration in this thought-provoking episode. Also discussed is being in 'right relationship' with the medicine, trauma responses…
- 94. Dr. Jennifer Bacon: Sacred Activism and Educating the Whole Child
Dr. Jennifer Bacon is a strong proponent of taking action in activism. That is why she created the course "Sacred Activism" at Naropa - to empower a community to make strides in equality, anti-racism, and social justice. Her children's boo…
- 93. Jaguar Womban: Words Do Not Teach
SHE'S BACK! Ladies, theydies, and gentlemen - tune in for the uplifting magic that is Jaguar Womban! Those who got to witness her on Naropa's campus already know. And those who haven't can feel her healing aura through this episode. Jaguar…
- 92. Andrew Schelling: Writing as a Spiritual Practice & State of Mind
Today, our beloved professor of the Religious Studies Program and the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, Andrew Schelling, joins us to discuss language, the page as a performance, and the bravery to pursue writing as a spiritual p…
- 91. Netanel Miles-Yepez: Comparative Religion
Netanel Miles-Yepez is a Sufi Pir (Sufi spiritual guide), Doctor of Divinity, and World Wisdom’s Professor at Naropa. He is also an artist, an author, a religious scholar, a spiritual teacher and a Co-Founder of The Heart Fire Festival. Hi…
- 90. Thupten Jinpa Langri: Translating The Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama's wisdom is largely accessible to the English-speaking world because of today’s honorary guest. In this episode, we hear Thupten Jinpa speak fondly of his monk-hood as a compassionate Tibetan child, the divine alignment…
- 89. Jordan Quaglia: The Science of Mindfulness Training
* Join Jordan at this science-backed training on Sept 6th "Compassion-Based Boundaries: An Introduction with Jordan Quaglia, PhD" * "In this workshop, Director of Naropa’s Cognitive and Affective Science Lab, Jordan Quaglia, PhD, offers an…
- 88. Dr. Nicholas Powers: A Future On Psychedelics
"Last time I sang the national anthem, I was on ecstasy." (Powers, 2018, maps.org ) Nicholas Powers, PhD, is a writer. His no-BS approach to humanitarian literature has caught the eyes of Wall Street Journal, Truth Out, and The Independent…
- 87. Spring Washam: Ayahuasca's Accelerated Earth School
Spring Washam "clocks in" at a job many of us here at Naropa day-dream about: Hosting entheogenic plant ceremonies at a retreat space in Costa Rica. This episode is a colorful glimpse into her world of combining meditation, detoxifying nut…
- 86. Tai Amri Poetics: Beautiful Ashe
Tai Amri: "I started Allies in Action at Naropa while I was there as a student, and also was the editor of Tendril, which was a journal on diversity. And that really came out of my feelings of like, man it’s really hard being black in Boul…
- 85. Regina Smith: Visions of a Thriving Mission, Culture & Inclusive Community
Regina Smith, Masters in Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology from Naropa, has a contemplated what a thriving mission, culture, and inclusivity-driven community could look like. Regina and her Naropa team are mirroring this vi…
- 84. Jamelah & Amanda: Mission, Culture & Inclusive Community at Naropa
Mission, Culture & Inclusive Community is a new division at Naropa University. It was created post murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor - when the push for closer alignment with unconditional peace was necessary for the conscious evo…
- 83.Travis Cox: Ecopsychology and Psychedelics
Travis Cox, PhD is back after our first conversation, four years ago, this time adding on the lens of psychedelics to look at ecopsychology as a radical intervention. Explore the negative consequences of our disconnect from planet, persona…
- 81. Jamie Beachy: Psychedelic Chaplaincy
"When we’re with people who are reviewing the end of their life or saying goodbye to a loved one, there’s this heightened sense of connection and awareness, a lot of times in crisis and sometimes difficulty. Psychedelic journeys can be — n…
- 82. Dr. Sara Lewis - Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
"But it’s also a lot of sort of ordinary people who have tried everything else, you know, veterans, first responders, sexual assault survivors, people who have already been through years and years of therapy and different kinds of medicati…
- 80. Anne Lamott and Neal Allen: Conversation for Shapes of Truth: Discover God Inside of You
"When that first object that represents the truth of the belief that I have an emotional issue dissipates or disappears from me, I fall into exactly the state of being that Buddhists call equanimity. That state of contentment and self sati…
- 79. Anthony Gallucci: Re-establishing Masculinity
"There's gender identity, which isn't actually a problem. It's when it's forced into a limited paradigm or spectrum it can be an issue or when it's forced into a hierarchy. I see us eventually eliminating the hierarchy within these systems…
- 78. Charles Eisenstein: The Origin of Wrongness
"I read very widely and was trying to put the pieces together to understand this lifelong question that I had carried. What is the origin of the wrongness in the world, which is presented to us as a series of fragmented isolated atrocities…
- 77. Charlotte Rotterdam: Finding Courage in Contemplative Education
"Absolutely. You know we might have an idea about something, but then when you begin to express it from a creative place it's almost like you have to feel into it. If I want to write a poem about sadness it's not just about my ideas about…
- 76. Miki Fire: Discovering the Self Through Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy
"I do think here at Naropa specifically we do have a transpersonal orientation, a transpersonal lens that we then incorporate into all of our classes. So, the contemplative education piece is very much interwoven in what we do in the field…
- 75. Carl Anthony: The Urban Habitat Program
"We need to think about a new quality in our organization where we are not only protesting against the things that are really hurting our communities and neighborhoods, but we're also really cultivating expertise on ideas and visions that…
- 74. Paloma Pavel: Reimagining Community Organizing & Environmental Literacy
"It's been a great joy and privilege in my life to work with individuals, with communities, with groups—sometimes in traditional organizations and non-profits—sometimes at a community level. We're living in a time where I think we're being…
- 73. Paloma Pavel & Carl Anthony: Breakthrough Communities, Underserved Populations, & Community Engagement
"As we open and see that what we're carrying around inside ourselves, what we have created around us is kind of a fear story. When we actually step into the fierce love story that we long for, we start having a much more joyful experience…
- 72. Joanna Macy: The Work That Reconnects Part 2 of 2
"We talked about the spiral of the work that reconnects and then you talked about how once you dare to really see and speak what you've wanted to keep at arm's length, once you refuse to turn away and really suffer with your world and then…
- 71. Joanna Macy: The Work That Reconnects Part 1 of 2
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- 70. Alicia Patterson: Deep Wisdom & Healing of the Pelvic Bowl
"The pelvic floor muscle tissues are connected very intricately and beautifully, and I feel like it can be complex in some ways to the abdominal muscles. And I think of the pelvic floor as the foundation of a building, it's like the ground…
- 69. Rick Snyder: Decisive Intuition, Using your Gut Instincts to Make Smart Business Decisions
"Emotional intelligence has completely revolutionized our lives and our business space. And because that's there there's now this foundation around intuitive intelligence. So, this is the next nuance that I'm really passionate to bring in,…
- 68. Venerable Pannavati: Hearing the Cries of the World & Responding with Compassion
"Meditation is so important—particularly training and concentration. How to steady and fix the mind until conceptual thoughts fall away. We live so much in our conceptualizing nature that we can't imagine life without that. But when you st…
- 67. Nashalla Nyinda: Tibetan & Asian Medicine in Relationship with Western Biomedicine
"It's said in Tibetan medicine that you have to have all five elements plus karma in order to be incarnated at all. So, even to obtain the precious human body you have to have all five elements in karma. So you're going to choose certain p…
- 66. Encore Presentation: Brigitte Marsh: Herbal Health & Healing
Brigitte is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with almost fifty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University and The School of Health Mastery in Iceland. She has taught at Omega Institute, E…
- 65. Sue Wallingford: Healing Generational Wounds Through Art Therapy
"Creativity is inherent in us as human beings. I think that we've, in some ways, lost the connection and the right to have our own creativity and our own artistry. For me, just touching into that in of itself is healing. It also takes you…
- 64. Holistic Life Foundation: A Teacher's Approach to Mindfulness in Baltimore Public Schools
"You know, we're doing this job dealing with people's problems and not necessarily giving them advice, but just allowing them to tap into their own thoughts and weigh out their own options to create decisions. The more you hold on—you atta…