I know we are all thinking about what we can do to help the world. I mean, what else could possibly be worth thinking about? The crazier the world gets, the more I feel both ashamed of my personal concerns and also cling to them as particularly meaningful. Because the world is so incomprehensible, I take refuge in what I... READ MORE
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 10:13
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. Before today’s sit, I share some thoughts about creating a shrine and why they are important. I also explain a bit about what is on mine and offer a few suggestions for creating your own, should you wish to. Stay strong! Stay beautiful! With... READ MORE
Hello, Open Heart Project. This email is text-only, as you can see. I’ve been feeling more and more drawn to writing from a personal perspective about Buddhist teachings that help, inspire, confuse, or delight me. Some do all of the above. There will certainly be more videos! More meditations! But for the meantime, here are some thoughts about how to... READ MORE
Thanks to all who registered for the info session on March 26th with Susan Piver about what to expect on a meditation retreat. To learn more and register for the upcoming meditation retreat at Drala Mountain Center, visit here.
I’ve started posting on Substack. It will be a space for me to share personal stories about Buddhism IRL, trying to write things, my love of music, enneagram musings, things I worry about, and why is it so hard to love?! Please head on over to subscribe and receive all future posts. I’d love to see you there. No paywall, everything... READ MORE
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 11:06
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. Before today’s sit, I share with you a chant I have been doing for more than 30 years: The Four Dharmas of Gampopa. In this short talk, I talk about who Gampopa was and how magical these four dharmas are. In fact, they outline... READ MORE
Thank you to everyone who registered for this talk on my new book, Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra. During our conversation yesterday, some expressed (understandable) uncertainty about which skandha (heap) went with which sense perception and so on. I made this very inadequate drawing that hopefully clarifies more than it confuses. Love, Susan
Thank you to all who registered to learn more about this new course, Buddhism Beyond Belief. It was a joy to talk with you about the Buddhist path. I hope you found it illuminating, inspiring, and useful. To continue the conversation, please consider signing up for Buddhism Beyond Belief. Here is the curriculum: Curriculum (some topics subject to change to... READ MORE
Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 14:32.
Hello, Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and finding ways to be joyful and kind (to yourself, others, the planet). This video suggests three ways we can work with so-called negative emotions. There are so many all over the place! It can be very difficult to figure out how to work with rage, fear, and, perhaps most dangerous,... READ MORE
Thank you to all who registered to learn more about this new course, Buddhism Beyond Belief. It was a joy to talk with you about the Buddhist path. I hope you found it illuminating, inspiring, and useful. To continue the conversation, please consider signing up for Buddhism Beyond Belief. Here is the curriculum: Curriculum (some topics subject to change to... READ MORE
Hello and I hope you’re starting the new year in a place of love and safety. May 2025 be a year of joyful connection, deepening, understanding, and sanity. Every year, I write a recap of what happened in the OHP sangha and where we are headed. Please have a look at your leisure and let me know what you think.... READ MORE
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 06:42
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. Happy new year! May all beings become sane. Before we sit today, I describe 3 different ways of viewing the spiritual journey to enlightenment, according to the Buddhist view (while recovering from hip replacement surgery, which is why my leg is sticking out). You are on one of these paths, I promise! Please have a... READ MORE
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