Interview with Nick Vail, Master of Arts in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with Tibetan Language

What were you doing before you came to Naropa?

After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, I took a year off and lived in New York City, where I hoped to break into the acting scene. While in a wonderful performance-art workshop in the village, my eyes were opened to the darker side of the entertainment industry. This brought me to the conclusion that although acting was something I loved, I didn't want to do it professionally. I moved back to Maine where it was difficult to find a job due to the bad job market. These experiences of disappointment and disillusionment were catalysts that inspired me to look deeper into myself by starting to practice meditation in earnest. My parents had become interested in Shambhala Buddhism when I was growing up, and by the time I was in college I considered myself a non-practicing Buddhist. After many months of beginning to integrate the Buddhadharma into my life I realized I wanted to go back to school and deepen my relationship to the teachings that were making a profound change in my life. I wanted to take it as far as it could go. Naropa was my best opportunity, the best prospect, to do that. I did a dathün at Karmê Chöling where a lot of people suggested I pursue my studies further. I investigated Naropa on the web and came out for an interview and was taken by the place. I applied and am glad I'm here; there's honestly nothing else I'd rather be studying or devoting my life to.

What motivated you to come to the MA in ITB/L

It's an interesting story. Due to my interest in theater, I first looked at the MFA in acting and dance. I came for an interview and I didn't click with the people in the theater department, but I was impressed with the opportunities in the religious studies department. I realized that although I loved acting and I wanted to explore how Buddhism could inform performance, I found I was interested in the practice and study of Buddhism specifically. The opportunity of the Tibetan Tradition to study brand new material that isn't offered anywhere else was one I couldn't pass up. It seemed like a wonderful chance to deepen my experience and go further than I ever had before.

What motivated you toward the Tibetan Track?

I had made up my mind before I came. During orientation week they had sample lectures from each track for us to compare and contrast the feel and material. Having looked at the courses online, I knew I was drawn to the Tibetan tradition. Tibetan Buddhism is what I practice; I'm an American Tibetan Buddhist. I was drawn to the opportunity of studying the intricate details of the tradition in a rigorous and supportive environment.

Are you happy with that choice?

There is nothing else I'd rather be doing. Naropa is the best and only place to study this particular field of material. It's simply not offered at any western university in English or at this level of comprehensive detail. It's a special opportunity and I really appreciate and respect that it's here and being presented to us. It is a very precious opportunity. Having the choice between tracks is a wonderful thing. Some people find the history of religions track more agreeable. It doesn't focus only on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy; it takes a broader overview of Asia and the West. The Tibetan Tradition really informs my own practice and depth of knowledge of this lineage.

How has your time in the program been so far?

Overall it's been great. There have been ups and downs, of course, and like anything, it is what you make of it. In terms of the course work, classes, and the teachers, it's been wonderful overall. Because it's a new program, it has to go through some growing pains. The pedagogy of this material still has to be worked out for western teachers to present, which can be frustrating at times. However, it's worth doing and someone has to do it. I'm glad to be able to do it at all. I feel the potential with this material is boundless. With good teachers and inspired students this material is stellar. After the incredible summer Nitartha Institute between the two years, I really felt a closer connection to what I had been studying, and especially with my classmates. We had a really good time and now spend a lot more time together outside of class.

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

The contemplative aspect is integral to this program, and is one of the main factors that make it so unique and powerful. Often times, people who are not familiar with mediation encounter a lot of things that they have never been so keenly aware of before, in terms of seeing how fast, speedy, and busy and messy, their minds can be. This is absolutely critical. Buddhism is a science of the mind, and meditation is like the laboratory to make new discoveries for one's self about one's own life. The meditation practicums are exemplary classes of this program. These classes provide the basis to investigate and assimilate what we study into our lives on a personal level. It is the middle ground between being a full time academic and being a practitioner without studying. The contemplative aspect of this education provides the opportunity for people to integrate in a holistic, human, and visceral way. They can touch into things in themselves and the teachings and mix them together. The time to contemplate and meditate on our material allows us to chew on and digest it, make the teachings a part of our lives. The contemplation and mediation aspects are just as important as doing research or study. It allows us to crack through the words and concepts we learn and actually taste the meaning of these profound teachings. Bringing what I learn in class into my own life has been one of the highest points during my time here at Naropa. I love the contemplative aspect. I think that's what makes Naropa a special and important place.

How do you regard the academics of the program?

It's what they teach word for word in the Kagyu lineage monastic colleges; we share the same root texts. The material is wonderful. The teaching has generally been great, but this is new material for everyone, including our teachers. With the foundation of these teachings and texts anything is possible if students are willing to make the decisions to meet the teachers and what they are teaching. I think there is a lot of responsibility on the side of the students to take the initiative to study the material well, do the analytical meditation, and discover for themselves what the material is talking about. I think that there is also great responsibility on the side of the faculty to meet the students' needs. This material is so new to westerners and it's so intricate and complex that there is no basis of comparison and it can be awkward and confusing at first. So there is a responsibility on the side of the faculty to make the effort to know the material thoroughly and be able to present it, work with the students, in order to bring out everyone's best sides. We are incredibly lucky to now have a Tibetan Lama teaching us this year. Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen knows these teachings inside and out. He did the whole nine year Shedra and he embodies this material. That makes all the difference. Having him here as a resource is priceless. He is a real treasure.

How are the language classes at Naropa?

I enjoy learning Tibetan very much. I took Italian in undergrad and studied French in high school. Tibetan is nothing like them. It is absolutely different from any other languages people generally learn in this country. I've found it very refreshing; it really gets my mind clicking in a new way. The emphasis at Naropa is Literary Tibetan; textual and grammatical analysis. It is very thorough approach at how to look at texts. It provides students with the tools to analyze texts on their own very thoroughly. The system of teaching Tibetan is unique to the professor, no other school does it quite this way. It is a very scientific approach to teaching rather than an artistic, which can sometimes be frustrating.

How would you describe life in Boulder and the connections to the religious studies community?

I love Boulder. Parts of Boulder are like a God realm, for better and for worse. In terms of religious studies, Boulder is a cornucopia. It's a banquet of dharma and religious studies opportunities. Across the board, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism; it's a smorgasbord. Interesting events happen in town and at Naropa. There is always something happening. It's a beautiful environment. The Flatiron Mountains are gorgeous. The weather is agreeable; it's sunny most of the year and the winters are fairly mild. There's also great public transportation, green spaces, and trails into the mountains.

What would you say to prospective students?

Try to get involved in meditation and study; do some investigations for yourself before you come. Every little bit that you do will inform what you do here. Get some introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and meditation if you're not already a practitioner. It'll make the transition to studying this material easier and benefit you in your life. Be prepared to deal with the unexpected as this is a new program. Always keep an open mind.