July 7, 2025 |
Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 21:26
Hello wonderful Open Heart Project, It’s an impossibly difficult time right now, and I send you my love. Last week, I talked about discipline, the second paramita (transcendent action), as a true source of joy. Before that I shared some thoughts about the first paramita, generosity. This week, we move on to the third paramita, patience. In this view, know... READ MORE
July 2, 2025 |
I’m grateful to everyone who registered for this info session on the Sunday Sanity Summit. I hope the real magic of this practice is of benefit to you. If your heart has been nudging you toward joining us for the Sunday Sanity Summit, please do! It would be great to see you there. We’ll gather on Zoom from 3:00–4:00 PM... READ MORE
June 30, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 15:24
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. Last week, I shared a few thoughts about the first paramita (transcendent action) which is generosity. This week, we move on to the second paramita, the joyless-sounding discipline. However, in this view, discipline is synonymous with joy itself. Please have a listen and let... READ MORE
June 23, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 17:18
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. Before today’s sit, I share a few thoughts about the first paramita (transcendent action) which is generosity. The remaining transcendent actions–discipline, patience, exertion, meditative absorption, and wisdom–would not be possible without some sense of your own richness and indestructible kindness. But when times are... READ MORE
June 16, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:30
Hello Open Heart Project, I recently read an article about a new meditation app that purports to offer meditation instruction via AI generated content meant to teach Dzogchen and Mahamudra. My friends, I literally could not sleep that night. I was so upset. Dzogchen and Mahamudra are among the highest teachings in all of Buddhism. They are never taught without... READ MORE
June 9, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 21:16
Hello, I hope you are well! Last week, I mentioned that there were three steps we could take to keep our practice firmly rooted in the realm of the spiritual–the mysterious, the sacred, the deeply personal–rather than the realm of self-help which can turn quite aggressive. Our practice is so powerful, but the real scope is glimpsed only when we... READ MORE
June 2, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 11:24
Hello wonderful Open Heart Project, A long time ago, I was talking to my own meditation teacher (of now more than 30 years) about how to create an environment that invites the magic of transformation. Like most meditation teachers, I want to help you go beyond whatever your current challenges may be. To do so, you have to see something... READ MORE
May 26, 2025 |
Hello wonderful Open Heart Project, We’ve discussed two of the three aspects of the awakened mind—compassion and wisdom. Today I’d like to offer just a few thoughts on the third quality—power. When we think about the quality of power, I’m sure many things come to mind. Some are positive—the certainty of a strong ruler or the beneficence of a saint.... READ MORE
May 19, 2025 |
Hello Open Heart Project, According to Buddhist thought, the awakened mind has three qualities. The first is compassion. The second quality, wisdom, is the topic of today’s post. When it comes to what it really means to be wise, it’s easy to posit all sorts of definitions from really, really smart to deeply insightful to maybe simply being old and... READ MORE
May 12, 2025 |
Hello Open Heart Project, According to Buddhist thought, the awakened mind has three qualities. Although I’ve said many times that having goals for your practice is a bad idea, I’m now going to suggest that there actually are goals and they are to realize these three qualities. However, the path is not accomplished by conventional means. Interestingly, these qualities arise... READ MORE
May 8, 2025 |
If you’re not sure about taking the Refuge Vow but you’re curious, I encourage you to listen to a talk I’ve offered in the past about why one takes this step and what it would mean (and of course, remember that this is in no way a requirement to practice together). Whether you have a passing interest or something more... READ MORE
May 5, 2025 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:47
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project, I have three basic suggestions for how Buddhist wisdom can help with heartbreak. Two weeks ago, we talked about the first step which involves figuring out how to work with your racing or clouded mind. Last week, I made suggestions for working with the overwhelming energy of the heart. This week, I share some thoughts... READ MORE
