From Elize in 105

Welcome to Snow Lion!

Hello, Everone:

We've made it through our first two weeks at Naropa and we're hopefully shaking some of the newness off and enjoying ourselves. I hope that everyone's first week of classes are going well and that you're all excited about what your taking.  That excitement can carry you a long way in getting through the semester.

It's been fantastic getting  to know you all. Granted, I've only gotten to know a relatively small group compared to how many of us actually live here, but I know we'll all get to know each other throughout the year.

For those of you who didn't make it to President Lord's sleep-over and discussion groups, mark it on your calendar in big, red letters if he ever does it again because it was a great experience. We were able to ask questions, get clarifications, and express frustrations. In my opinion he was open and forth-coming, which is refreshing to see in an administrator. Lisa ordered great food and she needs to get credit for not forgetting about the vegan and gluten-conscious in the building.

Hopefully, everyone is getting around Boulder well and that you all have had a chance to see some of it's beauty.  I know that we have a lot of things accessible to us such as hiking in the mountains and inner-tubing down Boulder Creek.  I'll tryand find out specifics for you and get them into the next blog.

If you're looking for dharma practice or meditation facilities, then we have the Shambhala Center of Boulder, The Rigpa Center, and Nalandabodhi Boulder (if you know Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, he teaches there sometimes.)  It is Boulder so there are many more and of course, you can have your  Shamatha practice in the quiet of your own apartment or in the meditation room in the Lincoln building on the Arapahoe Campus.

I definitely suggest that you go up to 24th (Folsum) and Arapahoe to Tibet Kitchen and try the Momo. I like the Tsel (vegetable) momo, but they have something for everyone there.  They're decently sized servings (you'll probably have leftovers) and it's relatively cheap. Eat outside and enjoy the artwork from local artists. Eat inside at the counter and you can look over their small library of books and magazines on Buddhism and Eastern thought.

A suggestion: If you have a chance to get involved in study groups, use them.  They will make your life here at Naropa easier. If you haven't heard of any, then organize them yourself with a group in your class. They truly can be life savers, even if all they do is relieve you of some anxiety.

If any of you have any suggestions of things you'd like to see on the blog then just let me know.  If you've found a dharma center that everyone should know about or an activity that they should do then let me know and we'll add it to the blog.

Enjoy your stay here at Snow Lion.

Be safe and Be Mindful.