Interview with Daniel Fisher, Master of Divinity

What were you doing before you came to Naropa?

I was teaching middle school and doing freelance writing for a couple of magazines. I took a brief retreat to see if I would be interested in monastic studies. I was thinking a lot about what I was going to do with my life. It was clear that I wanted to continue doing Buddhist practice, but I also wanted to be involved in doing work for the greater good-social and non-profit work, education, and so on. I was looking for a way to marry those two things and it seemed like Naropa was the kind of place that could help me do that.

What motivated you to come to the MDiv program?

My seriousness about my practice and feeling like I didn't want to continue going to school to study Buddhism if it was going to be a purely academic exercise. On the one hand, I was, in fact, very interested in learning more about Buddhism. But, on the other hand, I wanted to be involved in doing work for people. I knew I did not want to get into social work because Buddhism would be absent, and I didn't want to study Buddhism in a purely academic way, because that would leave out the aspect of working directly with people. I had heard about Naropa, and the chaplain at my undergraduate alma mater encouraged me to look into Naropa. The MDiv program at Naropa was in its early days when I graduated in 2001. I wanted to combine Buddhism and social engagement-something I had read a lot about--and here was a program doing exactly that. I knew about Trungpa Rinpoche's work and I knew of Reggie (Ray), Judith (Simmer-Brown), and Sarah (Harding). Based on what I knew of these people, I figured that this was definitely the right place.

What do you have to say about contemplative practice as an aspect of this program?

It is the reason why I am here and not somewhere else. My hope to have contemplative practice as an integral component of my education is why I wrote off the other paths I was considering. Contemplative practice is what makes Naropa as special as it is. We take time to do practice, and reserve a whole week to focus on it each semester. How many places in the world do that!? I need this kind of sanity.

How has your time in the program been so far?

Amazing in ways that I didn't expect and couldn't have predicted. Very challenging at times. It's not always easy, but I certainly feel as though I've gone through some important changes. When I come out on the other side of something that hasn't been easy, I always feel grateful for what I've gone through-it's powerful, overwhelming stuff, though. On top of all that, I have incredible relationships with my professors. But I always tell people that my classmates make this experience for me. There is a great Emerson quote on this: "I pay the school master, but 'tis the school boys who educate my son."

How does this program contribute to your vision of helping others?

By presenting me with models of Buddhist philosophy and practice that address the vision of helping others, as well as models outside of the Buddhist tradition. Here, for example, I'm thinking of the Virginia Satir work we did in Victoria Howard's class last year, and the work we're doing with Dagara ritual in Roger Dorris' class now. Also, I think we're all still figuring out how the program contributes to our vision of helping others. We are in an interesting place as some of the first students in this program. It's exciting and interesting to see how graduates will answer that question. A graduate of the Engaged Buddhism program is now a chaplain at a maximum security prison in Washington. Last year, she was in town visiting and came to one of our classes to speak. She talked about her time as a student at Naropa and shared with us the qualities of her education that have aided her in her work. It was extremely helpful to receive that type of support from someone in the Naropa community.

How do you regard the academics of the program?

I have had experiences with schools that are known for being different or liberal. I am continually stunned by the quality of work that is expected from these types of institutions, and Naropa is no exception. I'm glad of that. The level of expectation with regards to our academic work is good for me because it keeps me honest-with all that I'm doing, I have to be an effective manager of my time. The way that this material informs our practice and work with others is really tremendous. So much of this gets inside of you and helps propel you forward.

What would you say to prospective students?

It's everything you're thinking it might be, and more. Tons of surprises.