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Hear From Current Students
Students come from all walks of life and join the program for many different reasons. Often they’re making a shift in their work life and seeking personal and professional transformation. Madeline Ebelini in Florida and Leatha Goar in the Pacific Northwest are two such students.
From Madeline:
(Madeline says of herself: “I'm 47, married, and mother of a teenage son. My primary occupation has been lawyer, although I worked for a few years as a Development Director for a non-profit children's organization. I was a Unitarian Universalist for many years, but now am a practicing Buddhist. I am transitioning out of the practice of law and have recently begun to teach yoga.”)
1. Why did you choose the low-residency MA in Transpersonal Psychology? Has this program met your expectations?
I chose this program because the field fascinates me and there is nothing like this offered in my area (Southwest Florida). The program has exceeded my expectations. My professors are outstanding and the materials we are studying are those of the leading thinkers in the field.
2. What excites you about your studies?
The most exciting thing about my studies is what I have learned about myself and the new territory which I am now exploring in my life and in my own mind. Learning about the process of transformation, while having transformational experiences, is a unique opportunity that has changed my life and my perspective.
3. What’s your experience of learning online?
The rigor is equivalent to what I would expect from a high quality onsite program, but the convenience is unmatched. I have a couple of part-time jobs in addition to this program, and I'm able to make it all fit because I have a significant degree of flexibility regarding when to "attend class."
4. How has the meditation practice that you’ve been learning this first year impacted your daily life?
The meditation instruction we've received is the gift of a lifetime. I feel I've received not only precious wisdom delivered in a knowledgeable and skillful way by someone thoroughly intimate with both the theory and practice of Buddhist meditation, but also I've received personal guidance in developing my own practice. This practice enhances my learning and my life experiences.
5. How’s the sense of community and support?
I felt a wonderful sense of community at our first summer intensive, and my classmates and I are looking forward to seeing each other this coming summer. We share a lot online, as the material we are studying evokes a good degree of inner work. We are supportive of each other in our online community, an experience which was new to me.
6. Any ideas about where you might take this degree?
I'm interested in many things associated with Transpersonal Psychology! I've recently obtained my certification as a yoga teacher. I also intend to pursue training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ("MBSR") as there is no one certified in my area to teach it. I'm interested in establishing my own non-profit focused on both of these transformational modalities, as well as many others geared toward personal and spiritual growth.
From Leatha:
(Leatha says about herself: “I live on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state. I have two daughters, one in college, one in high school. I used to work with adolescents and their foster families in a therapeutic foster care program with a local mental health agency until being laid off. I have a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, hold a second degree in Reiki, and have taken lay vows in Tibetan Buddhism.)
1. Why did you choose the low-residency MA in Transpersonal Psychology? Has this program met your expectations?
When contemplating a graduate program, I wanted to study on the cutting edge of psychology, the new, innovative models that would match the social and personal challenges of the 21st century. Naropa's MA in Transpersonal Psychology fit my educational goals, and the low-residency program made it possible. Living in a rural area of the Pacific Northwest, any other option would have meant an upheaval of my family and leaving a place I love. Working primarily on the internet allowed me to fulfill my dreams without disrupting my life. The program has been challenging, uplifting and inspiring. It has exceeded my expectations in terms of rigor of curriculum and quality of instruction.
2. What excites you about your studies?
Besides the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree from my home, the depth of thought and the personal application of theories and ideas are what excite me most about the MATP program. The curriculum of the core classes interweave in a way that makes learning seamless and application a deeply meaningful experience.
3. What’s your experience of learning online?
I have been pleasantly surprised at the rigor of the program; the online venue has not diminished the learning experience in any way. The interaction and interplay of ideas amongst the instructors and students are just as challenging and stimulating as it is in person. I believe that more ideas are voiced due to the internet format because there are no time constraints to limit interaction. Each person is given the opportunity to fully express their viewpoints, which allows for increased learning for everyone. The online discussion format also allows for more depth of thought and response as one is able to contemplate an opinion before responding. My experience has been wonderful, although I do miss not seeing my cohort from time-to-time, and not meeting some professors face-to-face.
4. How has the meditation practice that you’ve been learning this first year impacted your daily life?
Although I have been practicing meditation for nine years, the meditation practicum has made a significant positive change in my life. The instruction and the practice together have given me insight into thought patterns and behaviors that no longer serve me and the tools to develop and appreciate my inner strengths. I find that I am becoming a person who interacts with her world in a more open, authentic manner. In addition, the meditation practice gives me clarity of mind from which to approach my studies. I find that I am better able to grasp the complexity of the curriculum and engage it with more depth than I have experienced in non-contemplative venues.
5. How’s the sense of community and support?
The required intensives each summer, when the cohort meets, build a wonderful sense of community that is then carried on through the subsequent school year. I feel very close to my fellow students, which gives me the courage to take risks and work on the edges of experience and ideas. My professors and advisor have been incredibly supportive. They are open, kind and helpful with a deep understanding of both the personal and educational challenges of graduate level study.
6. Any ideas about where you might take this degree?
My studies within the MATP program have inspired me to look at ways that I can apply transpersonal methods to individual growth and development. I hope to do life coaching through a system of my own design. I also hope to write about transpersonal issues with the goal of publication. In addition, I would like to serve my community through providing crisis intervention and support services through local mental health agency hotline services. Through all these venues I hope to help others experience a life full of possibility and hope.
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