Cafe Contemplative: Conversations That Inspire Mindfulness and Growth
Naropa Extended Campus and the Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education (CACE) presents Café Contemplative.
Welcome to Café Contemplative, a free speaker series presented by Naropa University’s Extended Campus. This unique event brings together renowned educators, mindfulness practitioners, and community leaders to spark meaningful conversations about mindfulness, compassion, and transformative learning.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical tools for growth, or simply a space to reflect and connect, Café Contemplative offers thought-provoking discussions designed to enrich both your personal and collective journey.
Join us for an experience where the art of mindfulness meets the power of dialogue.
Mindfulness Is for Everyone Series
Suffer Less, Flourish More: The Science and Practice of Well-Being with Cortland Dahl
March 18, 2025 // 6:00–7:30pm MT // Free Online Talk
What does it mean to truly flourish? How can we navigate suffering in a way that fosters resilience and growth? In this special event, Dr. Cortland Dahl, a leading expert in mindfulness and contemplative science, will explore these questions, sharing insights from decades of practice, translation, and groundbreaking research in the science of well-being. Cortland’s work bridges the wisdom of ancient meditation traditions with the latest research in neuroscience and psychology. Drawing from his personal journey—from receiving a Master’s in Buddhist Studies at Naropa University to spending years in solitary retreat in the Himalayas—he offers a unique perspective on how to cultivate well-being in daily life. As a scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, co-creator of the acclaimed Healthy Minds Program app, and author of A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism, Cortland has pioneered innovative approaches to integrating contemplative practice into modern life.
In this evening of dialogue, he will be joined by Charlotte Rotterdam, Director of Naropa University’s Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education. Their discussion will explore how we can reframe suffering as an opportunity for transformation and cultivate practical skills that foster resilience within a secular contemplative context. Attendees will also experience a guided practice led by Cortland, designed to be inclusive, accessible, and deeply transformative. Whether you are new to meditation or a long-time practitioner, this event will provide practical tools and fresh perspectives on the path to flourishing.
What Makes Café Contemplative Special?
Event Highlights
- The Art of Mindful Leadership: Practical insights on leading with compassion and awareness in all aspects of life.
- Healing Through Creativity: Diving into how mindfulness and artistic expression can ignite transformation and healing.
- The Power of Compassionate Communication: Tools and strategies for building empathy and understanding in diverse communities.
- Resilience in Times of Change: Practices to nurture adaptability and inner strength during life’s challenges.
- Nature and Mindfulness: Thoughtful conversations about reconnecting with the natural world to improve well-being and promote sustainability.
Featured Past Events
Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: An Evening in Dialogue with Gaylon Ferguson
How can we welcome our current experience without striving to ‘achieve’ mindfulness or meditation? In this dialogue with Gaylon Ferguson—distinguished meditation teacher, former Naropa faculty member, and author of Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature—we will explore this nuanced question and its implications for the modern mindfulness movement. Gaylon will be joined by Jordan Quaglia, Research Director of Naropa’s Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education. Together, they’ll discuss meaningful questions at the intersections of contemplative practice, spirituality, and society. Audience members will be invited to attune to their moment-by-moment experience, guided by Gaylon in welcoming, an accessible and inclusive contemplative exercise distinct from conventional mindfulness and meditation practices.
Roots of Liberation: Integrating Ancestral Wisdom and Contemplative Practice for Ecological Healing and Collective Transformation
It’s no secret that Mother Earth is in need of healing—a process contingent upon collective transformation at multiple levels. Our interrelated disconnection from the earth, nature, and one another not only leads to ecological destruction but also significant human suffering, eroding connection to place, community, and our authentic selves. In this talk, Betsy Gonzalez Blohm shares contemplative practices for reconnecting to the roots of our ancestral wisdom. She also explores the synergy between mindfulness-based approaches and what is needed to support sustainable, life-giving service toward ecological healing and collective liberation.
What Is—and Isn't—a Contemplative Practice? Mindful Brains, Present Minds, and Wakeful Beings
In this talk, Dr. Jordan Quaglia offers how a clear definition of contemplative practice is not only possible—it matters. By clearly describing the essential elements and boundary conditions of contemplative practices, we find a much more diverse and wide-ranging landscape of possible practices and approaches to contemplative training. On a personal level, this can inspire us to rethink, refine, and expand our own practices. Collectively, this new approach reveals pathways for fostering a more inclusive mindfulness movement throughout society.
Why Participate in Café Contemplative?
At Naropa University, we believe that mindful dialogue is a catalyst for transformation – both for individuals and communities. Café Contemplative embodies this philosophy by offering a welcoming space to hear new ideas, reflect on meaningful topics, and connect with others who share your curiosity.
Whether you’re a mindfulness fan or just beginning to understand its principles, you’ll find Café Contemplative to be a place where you can grow, learn, and feel inspired.
Ready to Join the Conversation?
We’d love to see you at an upcoming event! Here’s how you can get involved:
- Get notifications: Don’t miss a thing and sign up to our newsletter to get notifications every time we meet up.
- Access Past Recordings: Catch up on previous talks and dive into the archives.
Stay connected with Naropa University’s Extended Campus for more opportunities to engage, learn, and transform.
