Naropa’s Historic Buddhist-Christian Dialogues - IN PERSON

October 25, 2024—“Naropa’s Historic Buddhist-Christian Dialogues” with Tessa Bielecki and Judith Simmer-Brown, Naropa University, Nalanda Events Center.

From 1981-1987, the former Naropa Institute hosted a series of historic Buddhist-Christian dialogues with some of the most celebrated names in Christianity and Buddhism. The youngest and only woman participant in the 1981 dialogue was a young Carmelite Christian abbess, Tessa Bielecki. The organizer of the dialogues was a young professor at the institute, Judith Simmer-Brown. This evening, in the 50th year of Naropa, the two will talk about their experiences of these historic dialogues.

PLEASE NOTE: This registration page is to attend the event IN PERSON. If you wish to attend virtually, please click this link.

This event is also part of a full weekend which includes the following. If you wish to sign up for the ENTIRE weekend, which includes Friday night, please go to this link.
October 26–27, 2024—“Seasons of the Soul: Carmelite Christian Contemplative Teachings for Spiritual Renewal” with Tessa Bielecki, Naropa University, Nalanda Events Center
Now turning 80 and living as an “urban hermit” in Tucson, Arizona, Tessa Bielecki, former Carmelite Christian abbess, will draw on her experience of almost sixty years as a Christian monk and contemplative, offering the teachings she finds most relevant from the mystical streams she embodies: the counter-cultural witness of the desert, the earthy rhythms of the monastic tradition, and the intimacy and “holy ordinary” of Carmelite and Celtic spirituality. Having co-founded contemplative centers in three countries, she will also explore the challenges of creating the “lively human atmosphere” conducive to contemplative experience and community, including “crisis contemplation.”

Naropa University welcomes participants with diverse abilities. If you require accommodations, please contact Kristin Anderson-Bohan at [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event.

Host or Publisher Naropa University Wisdom Traditions