In Naropa Institute’s inspiring opening convocation in June of 1974, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche called for “relighting the pilot light” of American higher education. Those of us present who were to become Naropa’s founding year-round faculty members had no idea how that might occur, but Rinpoche had tremendous faith that we could figure it out. He guided aspects of Naropa’s curriculum, approach, and vision, but left the implementation up to us. We knew that meditation practice was a key, as it had shaped our own artistic, psychological and academic journeys in such important ways. But when it came to designing courses and teaching our students, we were unsure exactly how to do things differently.
Our 50th anniversary theme, “Spark the Mind. Ignite the Heart. Illuminate the World,” echoes Trungpa Rinpoche’s proclamation at Naropa’s opening convocation: “When East meets West, sparks will fly.” The magazine cover, featuring the largest original artwork of Trungpa Rinpoche called “Smoke Dragon,” also embodies this blazing potential. In the Tibetan calendar, 2024 is the year of the wood dragon, which represents strength, vitality, and new beginnings; this cover art aligns with these themes, invoking the incandescent flame that is the complete mandala of Naropa’s lineages. May it burn brightly for future generations.
The “Smoke Dragon” painting was a gift to the Chogyam Trungpa Institute in 2019 by Trungpa’s wife, Diana Mukpo. It has been permanently installed at the Nalanda Campus.
As a tribute to Naropa University’s 50th anniversary, we are delighted to present this commemorative edition of Naropa Magazine highlighting formative moments and passages in the history of our institution.
What kind of language can capture the zeitgeist underway on the eve of Naropa’s inception? Anne Waldman’s mosaic of impressions offers a synoptic view:
“It was 1974, the summer before the last American troops left Vietnam. The country was weary of the war. Visible protest had gone on for years. There was palpable burnout, exhaustion, and nihilism operating on many levels. The promise of the sixties, which once seemed so close, appeared out of reach. The House Judiciary Committee adopted three articles of impeachment charging President Richard Nixon. Read more.
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.
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.
