Past Events

Unable to make it to an event? Hear a great quote at a lecture, but can't quite remember the wording? View videos, photos, or PDFs, or listen to audio from the following past events at Naropa University:

THRANGU RINPOCHE

Teaching the Text: The Concise Mind Instructions Called Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet–by Khenpo Gangshar

July 22 // 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Nalanda Events Center // 6287 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO

Thrangu Rinpoche has taught in over twenty-five countries and established numerous monasteries, nunneries, schools, and Dharma Centers throughout the world. He is especially known for making complex teachings accessible to Western students and is a recognized master of Mahamudra meditation.

This is the 60th anniversary of Khenpo Gangshar’s momentous teaching on the pith instructions for practicing Mahamudra and Dzogchen.

Khenpo Gangshar, a great scholar who later became a mahasiddha, had a vision of the impending invasion of Tibet while he was teaching the Uttaratantra at Trungpa Rinpoche’s Surmong monastery. He wanted all his students to receive these essential instructions on looking dirctly at one’s mind.

NAROPA UNIVERSITY HOSTS HIS HOLINESS THE 41ST SAKYA TRIZIN

Wednesday, April 22 // 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Nalanda Events Center, 6287 Arapahoe Ave. Free and open.

His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin is the present throne holder of The Sakyapa Lineage, one of the four principle Lineages in Tibetan Buddhism. This unbroken lineage dates back to 1073 C.E. and has been ornamented with many illustrious masters and practitioners. His Holiness has received all the profound teachings of the Sakya Tradition as well as many of the teachings and transmissions of other traditions. He teaches internationally, with students in both the East and the West. Naropa will present a formal welcoming ceremony and request His Holiness to teach on "Parting from the Four Attachments" (Zhenpa Zhidral).

FORGIVING THE UNFORGIVABLE? TRAUMA, REMEMBERING AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE UNEXPECTED, WITH PROFESSOR PUMLA GOBODO-MADIKIZELA

Insights from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Tuesday, April 21 // 6:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave.
$5 Advanced Registration // $10 Door // Free for Naropa Students (limited number available)

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa (TRC) established a unique platform on which unexpected human moments emerged in the encounter between perpetrators of gross human rights violations and survivors/victims of these human rights abuses. Drawing on her research on forgiveness, Professor Gobodo-Madikizela will discuss how the expression of emotions and memories, and the exchange of identifications which played out at the TRC created an extraordinary setting of unique and unexpected possibilities. Learn More

THE CHALLENGE AND TEACHINGS OF THE POISON FIRE:
LIVING WITH THE LEGACY OF SPLITTING THE ATOM WITH JOANNA MACY

The ever-increasing amounts of radioactive "wastes" generated by nuclear energy and weapons-making must be safely contained for longer than recorded history. They require ongoing attention, monitoring, and care. Let's look at what Nuclear Guardianship will involve, what it will bring forward in the human spirit, and how it is developing right here at Rocky Flats. Watch a video of the talk.

AWAKENING THE DREAMER

February 7 // 12:30–5:30 p.m.
Nalanda Events Center // 6287 Arapahoe Ave. // Free to all students // Suggested $20 donation for all other attendees

Awakening the Dreamer is a worldwide initiative inspiring people to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet. Join us as we gather together for the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, a dynamic, multimedia presentation from some of the most respected social and scientific experts of our time, interwoven with wisdom and inspiration from indigenous groups. For more information, visit the Awakening the Dreamer website.

VARELA LECTURE SERIES: SCIENCE & MINDFULNESS II

WITH RICHARD DAVIDSON

December 9

Scientific evidence suggests that we can change our brains by cultivating habits of mind that will improve well-being, including happiness, resilience, compassion and emotional balance. Dr. Richard J. Davidson of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds will share findings about the positive effects of mental training.

RADICAL COMPASSION SYMPOSIUM

October 16–19, 2014
Compassion is 'radical' when it moves beyond 'being nice' or giving to our favorite charity, and becomes the very foundation of all our actions, the signature of our society. A variety of keynotes, dialogues, workshops, contemplative practice and community sessions were offered over the course of the weekend. Learn about the symposium. Check out the Radical Compassion eBook. Watch Joanna Macy's keynote lecture. Watch Dan Siegel's keynote lecture.

"THE FOURTH TURNING" TOWN HALL CONVERSATION
WITH RABBI ZALMAN SCHACHTER-SHALOMI

Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The conversations about Buddhism speak of the three turnings of the Buddhist wheel. However, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi ("Reb Zalman") finds that the work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and specifically the work of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, has extended to the world at large and has introduced a new phase for Buddhism as well as for other religions and traditions. View the full town hall here.

REAL HAPPINESS AT WORK WITH SHARON SALZBERG

April 3, 2014
How can we find fulfillment and meaning at work? Teacher and author Sharon Salzberg discusses the importance of finding mindfulness, compassion, integrity, resiliency, and open awareness in one's worklife. View the full lecture or an excerpt here.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES IN A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY COLLOQUIUM

December 2013–April 2014
This colloquium investigates the idea that integration of contemplative practice and technology provides a holistic approach to the challenges of the 21st century and a greater possibility for an enriched life experience. Find lecture summaries and links to individual lecture PDFs and audio files here.

"SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS" COMMUNITY PRACTICE DAY PANEL DISCUSSION

February 25, 2014
Naropa faculty members Nataraja Kallio, Judith Simmer-Brown, Steven Hatch, Deborah Bowman, and Himmat Victoria engage in a dialogue on the idea of being spiritual but not religious. View the full panel discussion here.

"MINDFULNESS & NEUROSCIENCE: BEFRIENDING THE MIND"WITH DR. AMISHI JHA

February 21, 2014
Respected brain researcher Amishi Jha presents fascinating findings from cutting-edge neuroscience on the profound and positive effects of mindfulness practices on the brain, psychological health, wellness, and resilience. View the full lecture or an excerpt here.

"FROM WAR ZONES TO THE HAPPINESS COUNTRY" WITH DR. HA VINH THO

February 19, 2014
How can Gross National Happiness in Bhutan contribute to creating an enlightened society? In this 6th Annual Bayard and John Cobb Peace Lecture, Ha Vinh Tho explores how engaged Buddhism can contribute to conflict resolution, reconciliation, and healing. View the full lecture or an excerpt here.