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Opening to this World (even when you’d rather not)

July 21, 2025   |   2 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 9:37

Audio only version is here Meditation practice begins at 9:37 Dear wonderful human, A few weeks ago, I shared a few thoughts about the first paramita (transcendent action) which is generosity. This was followed by discipline and patience. Then we talked about paramita #4, exertion, also known as diligence or life force. Today we move on to the fifth paramita, samadhi, or... READ MORE

Protect Your Mind

July 14, 2025   |   16 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 16:30

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. A few weeks ago, I shared a few thoughts about the first paramita (transcendent action) which is generosity. This was followed by discipline and patience. Now we move on to paramita #4, exertion, sometimes also known as diligence or life force. It is very easy... READ MORE

The Practice of Knowing You’re Enough As You Are

July 7, 2025   |   7 Comments

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

The source of joy is…

June 30, 2025   |   3 Comments

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

When it’s hard to be generous to others…

June 23, 2025   |   17 Comments

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

3 Qualities of Awakening, Part 3: Power

May 26, 2025   |   4 Comments Traits of an Awakened Mind | Buddhist Wisdom

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

3 Qualities of Awakening, Part 2: Wisdom

May 19, 2025   |   11 Comments 3 Qualities of Awakening, Part 2: Wisdom | Buddhist Teachings

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

3 Qualities of Awakening, Part 1: Compassion

May 12, 2025   |   2 Comments

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

What does it mean to take the refuge vow?

May 8, 2025   |   5 Comments

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

Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra – Info Session on February 12, 2025

February 13, 2025   |   6 Comments

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

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