Press Release

Third Annual "Integrating Spirit and Caregiving" Conference at Naropa University

Conference Brings Together Foremost Experts in Contemplative And Palliative End of Life Care

Larry Dossey, Joan Halifax, Christine Longaker among Presenters

BOULDER, Colo. (May 6, 2005) -- For the third year, Naropa University's Center for Contemplative End of Life Care and the Rigpa Spiritual Care Program will present a two-and-a-half-day teaching conference that brings together the ancient wisdom of the Buddhist tradition with the knowledge, skills and best practices of contemporary hospice and palliative care for the dying. To be held on Naropa University's main campus, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, from May 16 through May 18, 2005, the conference will feature leading visionaries and teachers of contemplative and spiritually based approaches to the end of life. Presenters include Dr. Larry Dossey, Joan Halifax and Christine Longaker, among others. The goal of the conference is to help professional healthcare workers, program administrators, hospice volunteers, family caregivers and other laypeople adopt a contemplative approach to difficult end of life and elder care issues, ranging from pain and symptom control to spiritual care and bereavement support.

As Conference Chairperson Fleet Maull explains the issue, "Every day, healthcare professionals and laypeople are faced with physical, emotional and spiritual suffering. Despite extraordinary technological achievements in medicine, most of us are profoundly ill at ease with the daily realities of dying. Emotional or spiritual pain is often the primary source of suffering for people approaching death. When not addressed, this suffering exacerbates the physical pain, anxiety and other distressing symptoms of dying. Education that encompasses the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of end of life care -- such as this conference -- is desperately needed."

The "Integrating Spirit and Caregiving" Conference sessions will explore ways in which to meet the needs of the whole person, understanding the dying person's concerns, feelings, beliefs and sources of inspiration. Participants will be trained in the most innovative practice approaches by highly skilled practitioners.

In addition to Dr. Larry Dossey, Joan Halifax and Christine Longaker, conference faculty will also include Frank Ostaseski and Therese Schroeder-Sheker. More information about the conference and conference educators can be found at http://www.naropa.edu/spiritualcare/.

The cost of the entire conference is $325. On May 16, 2005, Dr. Larry Dossey will open the conference with a keynote address entitled "Healing Words: The Power of Prayer in Medicine" from 7 to 9 p.m. at the main Naropa University campus, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder (the entire conference will take place at that location). The cost of the keynote alone is $15. For more information or to register for the conference, the public should call 303-245-4800.

The Center for Contemplative End of Life Care at Naropa University is a certificate program that offers in-depth training on the spiritual dimension of dying and death as well as the practical knowledge most frequently requested by healthcare professionals. Training areas include how to communicate about dying and death, pain and symptom management, bereavement, supporting children, and techniques for healing or preventing caregiver burnout. For more information, visit http://www.naropa.edu/contemplativecare/index.html.

Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Naropa University is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian liberal arts institution dedicated to advancing contemplative education. Contemplative education is an approach to learning that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. The university comprises a four-year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental studies, psychology, religious studies, and creation spirituality. It offers BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MDiv and MLA degrees, as well as professional development training and classes for the community. In addition, the university runs study abroad programs in Sikkim, India and Prague, Czech Republic.

Contact

Jane Rubinstein
Manager, Public Relations
Naropa University
PH 303-245-4643
FAX 303-245-4676
jrubinstein@naropa.edu

Back to News & Events Home