Best Minds:
A New Look at Allen Ginsberg's
Madness and Creativity
May 2nd, 2023 // Evening Talk // Live Online
May 2nd, 2023 // Evening Talk // Live Online
For decades, scholars, artists, and mental health professionals have debated the relationship between mental health and creativity.
Does mental illness stifle creativity, or can it be a driving force behind artistic expression?
How can mental health professionals support creative responses?
Join Dr. Stevan Weine, author of Best Minds: How Allen Ginsberg Made Revolutionary Poetry from Madness, for a unique and thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of mental health and the arts, as revealed through the life and work of prolific poet Allen Ginsberg.
Using never-before-seen materials given to him by Ginsberg, Dr. Weine will explore how the poet’s psychiatric and cultural experiences informed his creative process, transforming mental illness and madness into the most powerful and widely read poetry of the twentieth century. As we journey through Ginsberg’s work, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges he faced, as well as his accomplishments as a poet and dedicated social advocate. Join us as we delve into the blurred line between creative genius and madness, through Ginsberg’s work and beyond.
Tuesday | May 2nd 2023 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm Mountain Time
This program is offered live online via Zoom. A meeting link will be provided after registration.
Dr. Stevan Weine is a distinguished psychiatrist, researcher, and scholar with over forty years of experience studying and addressing trauma. He currently serves as a Professor of Psychiatry at the UIC College of Medicine, where he is also the Director of Global Medicine and the Center for Global Health.
He has devoted his career to studying the mental health needs of refugees and immigrants, particularly those who have experienced trauma and torture. He has conducted extensive research on the impact of war, displacement, and human rights violations on the psychological well-being of refugees, and has developed innovative interventions to address their mental health needs. Dr. Weine is also an expert in cultural psychiatry and has published numerous articles and book chapters on the cultural and social factors that influence mental health and illness
Dr. Weine has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Abraham L. Halpern Humanitarian Award of the American Association for Social Psychiatry.
Dr. Stevan Weine is a distinguished psychiatrist, researcher, and scholar with over forty years of experience studying and addressing trauma. He currently serves as a Professor of Psychiatry at the UIC College of Medicine, where he is also the Director of Global Medicine and the Center for Global Health.
He has devoted his career to studying the mental health needs of refugees and immigrants, particularly those who have experienced trauma and torture. He has conducted extensive research on the impact of war, displacement, and human rights violations on the psychological well-being of refugees, and has developed innovative interventions to address their mental health needs. Dr. Weine is also an expert in cultural psychiatry and has published numerous articles and book chapters on the cultural and social factors that influence mental health and illness
Dr. Weine has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Abraham L. Halpern Humanitarian Award of the American Association for Social Psychiatry.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Due to adverse weather conditions of high winds and planned power outages, all Naropa campuses will be closed today.
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.
