The Open Heart Project: A chance to meditate on life, love, and reality

What is it?

Several years ago, I was wrapping up teaching a particularly moving week-long meditation and writing retreat. My small group (about 15 people) had committed to spending 7 days in the Rocky Mountains, learning to meditate and working on personal writing projects. There were no phones, no TVs, and no internet service. To cap off the sense of remove, we experienced an early October blizzard—not unheard of certainly, but also not expected. The skies opened up and dropped two feet of snow on the land, effectively closing up all roads leading into or out of our retreat center. The outside world of 24/7 stimuli was officially locked out. Our practices deepened and deepened. Most were new to meditation and were excited to develop a connection to the practice.

As part of my “going home” talk, I strongly suggested to anyone who wanted to continue to meditate that they find a meditation instructor, someone with whom to discuss the ups and down of practice. I suggested visiting a local Shambhala, Zen, or Vipassana center to find such an instructor. One of the students raised her hand and said, “I live in Omaha, Nebraska. We have no places like this. What should I do?” There were nods from her fellow students, from small towns in Kansas and Utah and Mississippi. It was then and there that the idea for The Open Heart Project popped into my mind. Of course most people do not live near a dharma center! Over the following weeks, I received emails from others looking for support for their meditation practice—in Bosnia, Brazil, and New Zealand. I decided to try to figure out how I could offer support to them and The Open Heart Project was born.

On February 22, it will be one year since I started offering meditation instruction via twice weekly videos. It has actually become the focal point of my creative and spiritual practices. It is at the very center of my own heart. There are now nearly 3,800 members (well, 3,756 as of right now, but who’s counting) who are practicing together. I am very excited to enter year two of the OHP and am planning to also offer a book club, evening workshops, and so forth.

Stay tuned! And please sign up for the program and/or forward this link to anyone you know who might like to practice meditation together in this very simple and direct way. xo S

Some (really lovely) things people have said about The Open Heart Project.

My meditation practice began quite clumsily. It was not fun to watch, as I struggled to stop moving…keep my eyes still…and quiet my mind. I read everything I could find on meditation, and that brought me to Susan Piver. How lucky I was to find such a grounded, authentic individual, who’s meditation teachings spoke to my heart. Susan’s virtual meditation guidance came to me “free” of cost; yet I felt as though I had invested my life and all it’s worth to get it. That was approximately six months ago. Meditation has given a new voice to my heart and soul, and become part of my every day love. It is no longer a “chore”…but now an “almost” effortless gift I give to myself each day! -MD

Thanks for The Open Heart Project. It came into my life at the absolute perfect time. I have been saying I want to meditate for years and never made it work. I’ve been on sabbatical with some extra time, so it’s fit into my life. I’m preparing to start my own business, helping people clear clutter, both physical and mental. When I was meditating at first, I found I was so judgmental of myself. Your words to come back to breath after noticing that I’ve been thinking, and do that kindly was an “aha” moment for me. I have to let go of judgment of myself before I can do it with others. I cannot help people well if I am judgmental of them.Thanks so much for sharing your gifts with the world! -LK

Your meditation tips have been so awesome and helpful. It is refreshing to hear that you get aggravated and annoyed, just like the rest of us. Not that I want you to be aggravated and annoyed. It is just nice to know that I am not the only one. That I am not alone. -LA

It is a great comfort to learn meditation from someone who is both inspiring and down to earth. I suffer from anxiety and have found that using your meditations are enormously helpful in gently encouraging me in a healthier direction. I love meditating along with someone else in my own home. Many heartfelt thanks. -MD

I so look forward to your emails. Every day you send one it seems to fit perfectly for that day. I first came across you last year when I read your book The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. It helped me through a rough patch, and I came out a better person. Please keep up the good work. I love meditating with you, as I am new to meditation. -CT

I have wanted to meditate for some time. I tried different books and cds, but nothing ever felt right or clicked for me. I often wondered if I was “doing it right”, or if I was being too picky, or expecting too much, or if I just had a commitment problem, or… etc etc etc. But YOU, wonderful Susan! You have taught me to meditate! You make me LOOK FORWARD to meditating! And I no longer wonder if I’m doing it right. I sit with you and it feels good. I let go and I breathe, and it has made me feel so peaceful. Meditating is helping me to be calm, and to think before speaking, and to notice beauty in the world, and these are all things I struggle with. Thank you for your generosity with your time and your wisdom. Thank you for the Open Heart Project. -LG

categorized in: open heart project