compassion Archives - The Open Heart Project

SUSAN’S
Blog

Viewing Posts in compassion

Only non-aggression defeats aggression

November 4, 2024   |   2 Comments

Hello, excellent Open Heart Project practitioners. As we approach what may be an extremely tumultuous week here in the US and elsewhere, I wanted to share again something I posted a few months ago in the hope that it will support and strengthen you. I’m reflecting on a time I posted this message to social media: “What if we never... READ MORE

Finding power and confidence during an insane time: 4 suggestions

October 28, 2024   |   15 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 15:30

It seems we are in a time of heightened anxiety and fear–and for very understandable reasons. Most suggestions and techniques for calming yourself focus on altering your inner state by various means. Makes sense! But this is often not enough. In this week’s video, I make some suggestions from my Buddhist training about creating an environment from which you can... READ MORE

Four actions to help alleviate anxiety

October 21, 2024   |   8 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 9:10

I hope you and yours are well! As we get closer and closer to the US election, anxieties and tensions are bound to rise. We are in a state of divisiveness and fear. It is hard (impossible?) not to fall prey to sorrow and frustration. I wish I could tell you that Buddhism had some solution to all of this.... READ MORE

Compassion fatigue and being loving while also angry: it’s possible.

October 14, 2024   |   14 Comments

Meditation begins at 14:59

Audio only version is here

I hope you are well and safe. If you are in a region impacted by recent hurricanes, my heart goes out to you and I hold you in my practice. I know that doesn’t change or fix things, but it’s true nonetheless. This morning I got an email from one of you asking for some thoughts on compassion fatigue. First... READ MORE

Love After Heartbreak

March 4, 2024   |   Leave a reply

Hello Open Heart Project, Since The Wisdom of a Broken Heart came out, I’ve had the honor of speaking with many people who are meeting this incredibly difficult life passage with courage and tenderness. We talk about the endless waves of grief, fear, and rage and how one could possibly weather them. We talk about the valuable, hard-won heart opening that can... READ MORE

Author Event with Nikhol Atkins

September 14, 2023   |   1 Comment

Audio only here.

It was a genuine pleasure to hear from author, meditation and yoga guide, activist and all-around amazing human, Nikhol Atkins and to explore her new book, Book of Boobs: A Visual Journey Through Breast Cancer. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. You can learn more about Nikhol’s book and purchase your own copy here. If... READ MORE

Tonglen Practice

May 25, 2022   |   26 Comments

What happened in Uvalde yesterday was beyond shattering. There is nothing I or anyone can say to make this bearable. It is normal (and understandable) to go in one of three directions with our shock and heartbreak. We could fall into despair, We could become enraged. We could turn away because it is too much to bear. Each of these... READ MORE

Just You and Me

January 21, 2017   |   Leave a reply

Since the presidential election, I have felt called to do more. To get involved with organizations that stand for the values I hold dear, to call my elected officials to give them a piece of my mind (or at least read one of the suggested scripts from Facebook), to march and rail and educate myself about my own ignorance and... READ MORE

The healing power of compassion.

November 14, 2016   |   3 Comments

Hello, dear, brave warriors. I want to share with you a piece I wrote for Lion’s Roar on November 9, called “Don’t Bite the Hook: Five Things to Remember Post-Election.” As a community of practitioners, now is the time to put our practice to work as the foundation for bravely standing up for what is right without losing a sense... READ MORE

We have so much to share with you

Get a new meditation from me every Monday morning