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Contemplative
Education Community
One of the most personally and professionally sustaining elements of this program is the educational community. There are many intersecting circles in our contemplative education community. These include the close connections among program students, faculty, nonprogram students, alumni and members of the Naropa University community who join us during summer retreats.
Each student cohort develops deep personal and professional connections through the two years or more of study. Because the cohorts are open to nonprogram students, the bonds within the cohorts are flexible and inclusive of professional development students. Both cohorts (first years and second years) and the faculty interact extensively during the summer retreats. They share morning and evening meditations, meals, celebrations and community seminar gatherings in the evenings.
The closeness of the program faculty is another rich part of the program community. In the summer program, it is not unusual to have more than one faculty member in a given class during the summer retreats. Online faculty, too, frequently visit the summer program, particularly during the opening weekend.
A key component for the sustainability of contemplative teaching rests in the continuing development of contemplative teaching skills within community. The connections among students, which are supplemented by our online community resources, extend long after graduation. Students have the option of sustaining their connection to each other, the faculty and other contemplative teachers through continuing online seminars and conferences. This online community helps sustain individual, often isolated, contemplative teachers as they confront the day-to-day challenges of bringing nonsectarian spirituality into all types of classrooms. |
