We continue our month-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Naropa University by exploring the rich Naropa Collection: every recorded teaching, seminar, and event that founder Chögyam Trungpa taught at the university between 1974 and 1985. As the first Buddhist-inspired university in the West, Naropa has been at the forefront of contemplative education since its founding. The early development of contemplative education at Naropa was shaped by Chögyam Trungpa and passionate and free-thinking faculty, staff, and students who connected diverse disciplines with contemplative practice and insight. Trungpa Rinpoche described Naropa’s unique approach as “bringing intellect and intuition together.”
The Digital Library is thrilled to re-release a playlist that allows you to see, hear, and read about how contemplative education was first articulated and practiced at Naropa. This playlist also gives a taste of the original inspiration and excitement of those early years. Among the 30 recordings featured are:
- The First Convocation of Naropa Institute (1974)
- “Open Secret” panel discussion with Ram Dass and others (1974)
- Education for an Enlightened Society public talks (1978)
- Why Buddhism in America? aka “Hearty Discipline” (1980)
- Educating Yourself Without Ego seminar (1983)