Naropa University presents a new series of “Walk the Talk”, a web-exclusive talk show hosted by Waylon Lewis, founder and editor-in-chief of “elephant journal” and Naropa alumnus, to be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at 7:00pm at Naropa’s Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave. For more information please go to www.naropa.edu or www.elephantjournal.com, or email talkshow@elephantjournal.com.

The premiere show, a VIP/Rehearsal showcase with surprise guests and live music by the Dovekins and “anti-eco materialistic comedy” by author Kelly MacLean. The show focuses on environmental sustainability, conscious consumerism, and the arts using the classic format of the talk show to address topics in an entertaining, engaging, yet fundamentally serious manner.

This free event will be open to elephant journal Facebook members and the Naropa Community. For entry to the event the public is invited to join elephant journal’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/elephantjournal or Naropa University’s pages at www.facebook.com.

The first fifty attendees will be treated to free eco giveaways including Pangea soap. Doors will open at 6:30 and taping will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Being exclusive to the web, this show will be available for viewing on twenty websites reaching a total of 1,000,000 unique viewers.

After the first dress rehearsal taping, “Walk the Talk” will open its doors to the public as a monthly event.

This is my internship semester, and it has been going well. Now I am co-facilitating a group called MADRES or "Mothers." This group is for Latinas who are struggling with the demands of being mothers, especially in this country were they are minorities. We bring cultural aspects of Mexico so they can think of how they are using the traditions of their culture to empower themselves. My role is to bring a mindfulness exercise to the group. I enjoy the fact that we are teaching them very concrete parenting skills, but also mindfulness exercises so they can develop awareness on their behaviors as mothers.

I am also taking a Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) training and having six individual clients. I am planning to write a paper on how to use evidence based practice like SFBT without compromising my contemplative approach to therapy. By meditating and maintaining an open mind when I am in session is one of the ways I feel I am accomplishing this goal.

Hi, Everyone!

During my first year at Naropa I had a Community class. My community group planted a Moongold Apricot Tree. It’s located next to a bunch of trash barrels on the Paramita campus. Our tree is not in a very pretty place, but I like to visit it regularly because it means a lot to me.

We needed to offer something to the community, so we thought that planting a tree was a good way to help the environment. It is also a symbol of fruition - we see the tree grow as our class keeps growing and evolving as well.

There is a Sungold apricot tree in the other side of the fence. Both will connect as they grow and cross-pollinate. We thought both trees were a symbol of connection between the outside community (Moongold outside the fence) and Naropa community (Sungold inside the fence). They are also a symbol of the merging of opposites, moon and sun, feminine and masculine, yin and yang.

Welcome to the Naropa University Annual Fund blog!

My name is Jim. I work in the Advancement Office at Naropa University. I'll be posting here from time to time, but the real star this semester is our guest blogger, Diane Melendez.

Diane is a student in the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program. She's the smiling face on those post cards we sent out. She also has a featured interview in the upcoming issue of Naropa Magazine.

Hope you enjoy reading her posts.

-Jim