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SUSAN’S
Blog

On Anger

May 8, 2023   |   5 Comments

Dear Open Heart Project, Someone once asked me, “How does one let go of anger—not deep-rooted anger but anger over everyday trivial things? How can I learn to really let go of things that don’t matter in my life? Too much time is wasted on this use of energy!” Here’s what I said: I appreciate your wish to let go... READ MORE

Are you a Buddhist? I don’t know. You tell me.

May 1, 2023   |   15 Comments

Dear Open Heart Project, How do you know if you’re Buddhist? I knew I was a Buddhist the moment I read a book by Chogyam Trungpa called The Heart of the Buddha. This is how I already think, only I didn’t know it, I said to myself. I must be a Buddhist. From that moment, the fates conspired to place... READ MORE

In-person retreats coming up in 2023

April 24, 2023   |   Leave a reply

Audio only version here. Dear Open Heart Project, Many years ago, I asked my meditation teacher what I could do to deepen my practice. I mean, I tried to practice most days but at a certain point, I started to wonder: what the hell am I doing? Sitting here doing nothing but thinking about this and that? I think I... READ MORE

The most helpful (and confounding) view of the spiritual journey

April 17, 2023   |   18 Comments

Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 11:27. Dear Open Heart Project, Hello, I hope you are well! Also, I cut all my hair off! On purpose! In this video, I share some thoughts with you about something I’ve been thinking about in relation so my own spiritual journey, what in Buddhism is called “the middle way”. What is... READ MORE

Cultivating a Compassionate Mind: Step 4

April 10, 2023   |   6 Comments

Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 18:06. Dear Open Heart Project, Welcome to the final video in this series on Cultivating a Compassionate Mind. Week 1: Affection for the World Week 2: Faith in the Right Situations Week 3: Compassion for Sentient Beings Now we come to Bravery, the fourth quality. In this view, bravery begins with developing... READ MORE

Cultivating a Compassionate Mind: Step 3

April 3, 2023   |   5 Comments

Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 14:21. Dear Open Heart Project, Welcome to the third video in our series: Cultivating a Compassionate Mind. We’ve discussed Affection for the World and Faith in the Right Situations so far. Now we come to Compassion for Sentient Beings. This may sound straightforward, like, of course! If I want to cultivate a mind... READ MORE

Cultivating a Compassionate Mind: Step 2

March 27, 2023   |   4 Comments

Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 17:03. Dear Open Heart Project, Last week, we discussed the first of four qualities that help cultivate a compassionate mind: Affection for the World, which doesn’t mean liking everything or pretending to; rather it means being present for everything. This week, we discuss the second: Faith in the Right Situations. What is... READ MORE

Cultivating a Compassionate Mind: Step 1

March 20, 2023   |   6 Comments

NOTE!! When I made this video, I had a black eye—as you can see. I slipped on ice! It looks worse than it felt and I totally fine now   xoxo S Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 13:36. Dear Open Heart Project, It is an honor to send you this first of four videos in a series... READ MORE

Info Session Video on Meditation Retreats

March 17, 2023   |   3 Comments

We enjoyed talking with you about the power and possibility of a deep meditation retreat. I remember the first time someone suggested I go on a long meditation retreat. No way, I said. Sitting there doing nothing for days on end? I have way too much to do in my life for that. Also, what if they try to indoctrinate... READ MORE

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