In the Open Heart Project sangha, we are contemplating one slogan per week from the 59 lojong (mind-training) slogans of Atisha. They date back over one thousand years. . There are 59 “slogans” which range from the obvious (First, train in the preliminaries) to the inspirational (Thank everyone) to the fascinatingly inscrutable (Three objects, three poisons, three seeds of virtue).... READ MORE
Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 13:45 Dear Open Heart Project, Welcome new members of the Open Heart Project! If this is our first time sitting together, I am grateful for the opportunity to practice meditation together. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to mention in the blog post comments. If are not a new member: I... READ MORE
This week at the Open Heart Project, we are contemplating the 4th of the 59 slogans of Atisha: “Self-liberate even the antidote.” . This slogan is saying something like: If you think you’ve understood emptiness or enlightenment or any other so-called spiritual concept, that’s not it. It’s telling us that to arrive at a conclusion is to miss the... READ MORE
I’m happy to answer your questions about meditation and spiritual practice. This question comes from Mary Lee who asks, “I know I am not alone in having trouble keeping my eyes open during meditation and I do want to do it correctly. I do a lot of Yoda Nidra and body scans and they are done with eyes closed. Any... READ MORE
Hello, everyone. It’s great to be contemplating the slogans together. To examine awareness before it is born is obviously impossible. Don’t let that throw you. Hold the slogan as a line of poetry rather than a directive. For more on this slogan, please check this link where some generous soul collected various teacher’s words on this very slogan. And of... READ MORE
I’m so happy to discuss your questions about meditation and spirituality. If you want to ask one, let me know in comments. I will do what I can to help. This question is from Faith, who asks: I have a history of anxiety and moderate to severe panic attacks. Anything you can offer to assist with these feelings would be... READ MORE
In 2020, the Open Heart Project Sangha is examining each of the 59 slogans of Atisha, aka Lojong aka mind training practice. Each Monday, I send out a short video with some thoughts about one of the slogans, followed by a guided meditation. We now consider the second slogan: Regard all dharmas as dreams. . Last week, our slogan was... READ MORE
This week’s question is from Roxana: “Can you provide meditations on how to obtain tranquility/calmness/serenity in anxious moments.” . If you’d like me to answer your questions about meditation, please email your question to me. xo Susan
In 2020, the Open Heart Project Sangha will examine each of the 59 slogans of Atisha, aka Lojong aka mind training practice. Each Monday, I send out a short video with some thoughts about that week’s slogan, followed by a guided meditation. The first one went out a few days ago and discusses slogan #1, first, train in the preliminaries.... READ MORE
Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 18:39. Dear Open Heart Project, Thank you so much for your responses to my end-of-year letter. 2020 is going to be a powerful year in the Open Heart Project, one crafted to offer you strength, friendship, and joy. As you may have read, after seven years of sending free weekly meditations, I... READ MORE
Hello beloved Open Heart Project, As mentioned last week, the Open Heart Project is changing to offer more support, more love, more connection in 2020. Why? Because it’s been a crazy year! So much is up in the air. Yes, there is a lot of stress…but there is also a lot of strength and support from people who value what... READ MORE
Hello beloved Open Heart Project, 2019 has been a very intense year and 2020 is shaping up to be so as well. I’ve spent the last month thinking deeply about what I can do to support you–and what I need from you to keep the Open Heart Project growing and vital. Instead of sending you a meditation video this week,... READ MORE
