An exploration of the individual, cultural, and contemplative dimensions of the human/nature relationship. It provides the contemplative tools of mindfulness meditation, sensory awareness exercises, and other nature-based awareness practices in order for students to examine and refine their own experiences of nature and the sacred. A three-day residential retreat with a solo contemplative nature walk is a required part of the course. Required for ENV majors.
Our lives have an inner world of thoughts and experiences that arise inter-dependently with our communities and the larger world around us. We develop ways of understanding and emotionally responding to ourselves and the world that can create suffering or well-being for ourselves and others. The Buddhist science of mind explores our mental processes, how we create interpretive projections onto ourselves and others that often lead to suffering, and offers tools for personal transformation, for understanding how the inner and outer worlds interact so we can change them with sympathy, compassion, and skill. A systematic presentation of the foundational teachings shared across Buddhist traditions is included in the course as context for understanding this rich exploration of Buddhist psychology.
A historical-experiential introduction to Sufi history, beliefs, and practices in a five-day intensive retreat course. One part of the course will explore the historical development of a mystically oriented movement in Islam, a movement which both understands itself to be older than Islam and which develops widely divergent attitudes to Islam. Its evolution will be pursued from Arabia to Central Asia and Egypt to modern Turkey, India, and the United States. The second part of the course will focus on the distinctive features of Sufi culture, mystical theology, subtle physiology, and psychology, as well as training and practice. In this course, students will engage both historical and traditional texts, learn about traditional Sufi teaching and training contexts, and participate in experiential exercises in order to gain a firsthand experience of Sufi meditation and other contemplative techniques.
In this course, the Zen Buddhist tradition is studied through its meditation practices and through lectures and discussion on the writings and teachings of the Zen masters. The course includes instruction in zazen, periods of sitting zazen, instructions on applying mindfulness to one’s daily life, as well as studying classic texts and teachings of the tradition. The course includes opportunities for a weekend retreat at one of the Zen centers in the Boulder vicinity. Cross-listed as REL-540.
Students are introduced to the short Yang style of Taijiquan developed by Grandmaster Cheng Manching. The first section of the form is taught. Students are introduced to the philosophy and theory of Taijiquan. Students develop a personal practice based on the principles of relaxation, separation of yin and yang, moving from the center, maintaining an upright body, and developing sensitive hands. Cross-listed as TRA-505.
We begin with centering ourselves and bringing that awareness to the situation of conflict. We simultaneously practice the kata of clean, powerful attacks and harmonious defense responses, and ukemi, the art of falling. We emphasize extending energy and transforming the encounter to one of excitement and harmony. Bokken-aikido sword is introduced. We establish links to the aikido lineage and training communities. We support our embodied experience by reading and reporting on texts of aikido history, philosophy, and technique. We study other contemporary sensei through video and visits to seminars. We journal our practice and write reflection papers. Cross-listed as TRA-510.
Singing, first of sixty-four traditional Indian arts, is an ancient system of yoga. Students learn to sing om; chants that consist of naming and manifesting god; svarasseven goddess tones, the notes from which all traditional scales are derived; and ragas, crystals of pure sound. We study sonic transformation, or the means of transforming consciousness and awareness using sound, such as Shabda Brahma (word is god), Nada Brahma (sound is god), etc. All students play the tambura, a stringed drone instrument. Cross-listed as TRA-514.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging, stemming from a love of nature and a delight in discovering the elegance and creativity of being human. Ikebana is also called kado, the way of flowers because it is a meditative practice as well as an art form. We study the classical and improvisational forms of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, founded by Sofu Teshigahara, as well as Japanese culture. Ikebana teaches you that everyone has the gentleness and courage of artistic expression. Cross-listed as TRA-520.
An introduction to the vast tradition of yoga. Students gain both an understanding of yoga in its historical and philosophical context and an experience of its methods, which constitute an in-depth exploration of breath, movement, and consciousness. Students engage with the practices of asana (postures designed to generate sensate awareness, alignment, strength, and ease), pranayama (breath awareness and control), and dharana and dhyana (meditation practices). Cross-listed as TRA-515.
This course integrates the breadth of yoga practice. In addition to deepening the practice of asana, students study advanced breathing practices (pranayama), bandhas and mudras (gestures that direct the current of life-force), concentration practices (dharana), yogic methods of physical purification, meditation (dhyana), internal and vocal sound (mantra), Ayurveda, and more of yoga’s rich literature and philosophy. Prerequisite: TRA-233. Cross-listed as TRA-555.
This class involves the study and analysis of selected literary and compositional issues and elements as they relate to somatic inquiry. Topics cover a wide range of subject matter and methods and vary from semester to semester. These may include, but are not limited to: works of literature; forms of composition; literary history; writing practice (including prose, poetry, and multigenre); literary criticism; as well as film and media studies. Larger frames for the class may include somatic psychology, studies of the nervous system, animal ethologies, and performance-based approaches to posture and gesture events. We build projects centered upon somatic experiments of different kinds, asking, in the words of Akilah Oliver, “What are the limits of the body?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate.
The latest episode of our podcast is available at Mindful U, Apple, Spotify, and Fireside now! In this episode, Peter Grossenbacher, PhD—Naropa faculty member and psychological researcher—explores the science of...
Magazine
Magazine
About Naropa
Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion.
Academics
Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.
Admissions & Aid
If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.
Life at Naropa
Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community, “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom
The Naropa Difference
How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person.
Support Naropa
At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, Naropa University stands firmly rooted in its mission to create a more just and regenerative world by nurturing insight, awareness, courage, and compassion in its students. By making a gift to Naropa, you play a pivotal role in helping to create the authentic, effective & mindful leaders that the world desperately needs.
From Naropa University: Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed on 05/06/26. All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. Classes that are delivered online in our low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.
Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.Graduate School of Counseling concentrations listed below will be offering online and low-residency courses to start their programs in January 2026 as well as our Summer 2026 terms.
Beginning a graduate program in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 means that you will have access to apply for Graduate Plus loans as these loans will be eliminated at the federal level starting in Fall 2026.
Contact Admissions (admissions@naropa.edu) today to learn how you can begin the next step in your graduate education journey.
