Naropa Community
Who Are We?
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
At Naropa University, we are an inclusive community (and working to become more so) of artists, seekers, peacemakers, activists, scholars, and people for whom the status quo is not an option.
Composed of people practicing the world’s great religions and wisdom traditions, agnostics, international students, local high school graduates, career changers, LGBTQIAP students, BIPOC, transfers, veterans, and elders, the Naropa community will both hold you—and hold you accountable—while you learn and grow.
The first day of school I was surrounded by excited students—students who had a desire to speak about mindfulness, conscious living, and transformation within themselves and the community. I felt I found my tribe. Naropa students bring such a healing essence to the campus. I felt safe, secure, heard, and appreciated by those who surrounded me at Naropa.
There’s no football, no fraternities, and no Homecoming King or Queen. But that doesn’t mean there’s no fun.
On any given day, we’re attending concerts, spoken-word performances, gallery openings, and open-mike nights. We’re organizing to make Naropa more inclusive. Hosting food drives to support our own Food Pantry. Caring for Naropa’s garden. Or hiking Boulder’s Flatirons.
Acquire leadership skills through Naropa’s student government. Practice free yoga courtesy of Team Ananda. Or join our Sustainability Council, where you can help us continue our commitment to reducing Naropa’s environmental impact.
Want to make a real difference? Commit to starting your own organization to fill an unmet need in our community. And we’ll walk the path you.
The Naropa Bow
It is a tradition at Naropa University to begin and end our classes and meetings with a bow. The bow acknowledges and honors the qualities of warriorship—that brave path of gentleness and wakeful intelligence we’re all working to achieve.
It also binds us together in a mindful moment of community before the start of the next adventure.
Community Practice Day
Every semester Naropa suspends classes for Community Practice Day. During Community Practice Day, Naropa students, faculty, and staff participate in a variety of contemplative practices attend lectures and experiential workshops, and perform service in the community.
It’s our way of taking a time out to refresh ourselves and our community. Check out the offerings for our most recent Community Practice Day.