Four decades ago, Naropa pioneered a movement in higher education, defining a new way to educate that combines the best of Eastern wisdom and Western scholarly traditions. Naropa's unique vision for a better educational model planted the seed for the "mindfulness revolution" (TIME, February 2014) now taking hold across the country. Today, mindfulness practice infuses corporate and business culture, healthcare, nonprofits, and the military.

The hallmark of Naropa's educational approach is contemplative pedagogy. Integrated into all of the university's academic disciplines and departments, contemplative pedagogy makes Naropa a multi-layered experience of rigorous academics and purposefully designed contemplative experiences, encouraging self-awareness and compassion for others.

Inspiring Social Good

Contemplative practice and pedagogy foster the self-awareness, compassion, and confidence our students need to change the world. Naropa alumni take their experiences here and go on to serve their communities through innovative careers that include social entrepreneurship, environmental leadership, activism, artistic achievement, and the helping professions.

Cutting Edge Faculty

Naropa's unique learning approach has drawn faculty from a wide array of spiritual and religious traditions, linked together by a desire to integrate inner-knowing into their classrooms. For forty years, our faculty have collaborated, critiqued, experimented, and established numerous contemplative pedagogies that serve as a standard in this emergent field, which are in use across a variety of platforms, conferences, and practices.

In celebration of its 40th year, now is the time for Naropa to take its seat as the premiere teaching institution in contemplative and mindfulness education for the next chapter in its 500-year journey.

How will you support the next steps in our journey?

Now & Next Gift Opportunities

In addition to our existing giving opportunities, we are developing a menu of opportunities to support Naropa's future.

• Student Scholarships and Fellowships—Create endowed scholarships, support existing funds, and expand student awards, in undergraduate education at The Naropa College, as well as in graduate fellowships in the arts, psychology, religious studies, and writing and poetics.
• New Initiatives and Partnerships—The Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education (CACE); Center for Bhutan Partnerships; and Naropa Institute for Professional Development.
• Faculty Exploration—Invest in faculty research to jump-start and lay the foundation for future initiatives.
• Campus Improvements—Naming opportunities exist for the Nalanda expansion that includes programming support.
• Annual Support—Contribute to Naropa where support is most needed. Budget relieving gifts support faculty, students, programs and projects, facilities—everything it takes to continue our mission of contemplative education.