Good morning. It is such an honor to speak on behalf of the Naropa faculty on such an auspicious occasion, Dr. Lord’s inauguration as the President of Naropa University. As an academic, I of course looked up the term, inauguration, which brought up apparent meanings such as “to induct into office with formal ceremonies.” Moreover the definitions for inaugural include “marking the beginning of a new venture or series” or “the address, as of a president, at the beginning of a term of office.” Going deeper, I sought the definition of augury and found “divination from omens.” Another word for omen is auspice which births the word auspicious, an adjective that means “the promise of a good outcome.” Thus through my research, I determined that we are here to celebrate an auspicious omen.

Humor aside, I do say in all seriousness that Dr. Lord’s presence and leadership at Naropa is an auspicious omen indeed. When Dr. Lord first came to campus as a finalist for this position, I was overwhelming heartened by the faculty excitement and support over the possibility of Dr. Lord being our president. This faculty excitement had almost a childlike quality of delight combined with a deep wisdom of knowing that this was right.

Recently, the President and his wife, Adderly, have been hosting a series of faculty dinners called the Norwood Street Dialogues at their home. I attended the first dialogue and was mesmerized by the openness, vulnerability and deep wisdom of all present. Dr. Lord posed the questions of why did we come to Naropa and why do we stay. The stories that ensued were incredible and each one demonstrated that we came to Naropa because we were called. We are called to the practice, this community and to engage in work that serves the greatest whole.

During the dialogue, I was particularly struck by long term faculty member, Lauren Casalino’s statement in reference to the present state of Naropa as well as the union of Dr. Lord. She stated, “maybe the magic is coming back.” As my Ecopsychology students know that, while magic is often dismissed as a “woo woo” term, its true meaning includes “bending or shifting consciousness” as well as “pattern thinking 1 .” In essence magic is the ability to shift from our habitual ways of thinking and acting to forms that are more viable and life affirming of the widest perspectives. It is the practice of seeing the patterns of our world and aligning and acting with these rhythms that results in the greatest good.

In the book, Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future (2004), the authors speak of true leadership as a practice of becoming human. In dialogue with his coauthors, Peter Senge reflects on the lack of moral development in today’s leaders. He states:

Yet the old idea that those in positions to influence such organization’s power must be committed to cultivation or moral development has all but completely disappeared. I doubt few have even thought what such cultivation means—what it takes to develop a capacity for delayed gratification, for seeing longerterm effects of actions, for achieving quietness of mind.

Later he adds:

In a world of global institutional networks, we face issues for which hierarchical leadership is inherently inadequate. This is the big difference between our world and the context that led to the leadership ideas of Confucius and Plato twentyfive
hundred years ago. (186)

Clearly for our transforming world, we need transformed leaders – leaders with ethics, contemplatives, pattern shifters, cocreators. Dr. Lord exhibits the qualities of this new type of leadership which is often called servant leadership. It is practiced by leaders who listen, trust, see, and act on behalf of the greatest whole.

This week my Ecopsychology students studied fire. While fire is strong and fierce – it is also an elemental energy which ignites what is already there. A fire is a sacred partnership because it must work with other elements in order to succeed. It is only as strong as its constituents and in doing so it burns brighter. I believe President Lord embodies fire in fueling our passions, creativity, and mission.

In answering his own question of why he came to Naropa and what keeps him here, President Lord remarked that “I am here because you are here” and that our community affords him a place to be able to “do the right thing.” He said “I’m fighting now so everyone can do what is right.” His values and actions clearly demonstrate his servant leadership. For Dr. Lord to choose to come to our small, nonprofit, contemplative institution from a career at traditional, highstatus, and well endowed academic institutions speaks volumes.

President Lord, on behalf of the faculty, thank you for choosing us, for being our leader, for listening, seeing, contemplating, and acting to do what is right. May this union spark fiery magic, contemplative practice, service and transformation for many years to come.

References

Senge, P., Scharmer, C.O., Jaworksi, J. & Flowers, B.S. (2004). Presence: An exploration of profound change in people, organizations, and society. Boston, MA: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.

Starhawk (2004). The earth path: Grounding your spirit in the rhythms of nature. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco.

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