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8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 8 is…

July 22, 2024   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 13:58

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Today we move on to the final step, Right Concentration, which has more to do with letting go than trying harder.... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 7 is…

July 15, 2024   |   6 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 15:21

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Today we move on to the seventh step, Right Mindfulness. Interestingly, here, mindfulness has more to do with relaxation than anything else. Thoughts?... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 6 is…

July 8, 2024   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 4:38

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right View and Right Intention comprise true wisdom. Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood describe how to live an ethical life. Now we turn... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 5 is…

July 1, 2024   |   6 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 21:07

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Today we move on to the fifth step: Right Livelihood. How can we turn work, money, and the effort to express ourselves into a part of the spiritual... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 4 is…

June 24, 2024   |   11 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 15:34

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on the noble eightfold path. Today we continue our conversation with step number four: Right Action To view previous talks: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Please have a listen to this short talk to learn more about what actions we can take (and... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 3 is…

June 17, 2024   |   6 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 21:36.

Right speech can change the world.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. Right View is here and Right Intention is here in case you want to review. Today’s talk is about the third step on the noble eightfold path: Right Speech. Spoiler alert: this one can save the world. I’m not even kidding. In... READ MORE

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 2 is…

June 10, 2024   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 11:58

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. Today’s talk is about the second step on the noble eightfold path: Right Intention. Next video: Right Speech (my personal favorite) Thoughts? Love to hear them. Much love, Susan

8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 1 is…

June 3, 2024   |   6 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 16:14.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. The idea here is not to make you (or anyone) into “Buddhists” but to draw from this extraordinary wisdom what can be applied to your life. In the last few weeks, we talked about the first three of the Four... READ MORE

The Secret to Unhappiness

May 27, 2024   |   19 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 16:11

Hello, welcome to your meditation practice! Before today’s 10-minute sit, I share some thoughts about the third noble truth of Buddhism, the cessation of suffering. As a reminder, the first noble truth says that life is suffering (meaning impossible to stabilize). The second noble truth posits grasping as the cause. Now, with the third noble truth, we begin to open... READ MORE

I’m torn by emotions. How can I rid myself of grasping?

May 20, 2024   |   11 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 13:51

Hello, I hope you and your loved ones are well and finding moments of joy. Before today’s 10-minute meditation, I share some thoughts about the second noble truth of Buddhism, the cause of suffering. Suffering is said to be caused by grasping (or craving).  That means we are out of luck because most of us are riddled with wanting, desire,... READ MORE

How (and why) to accept the unacceptable (aka impermanence)

May 13, 2024   |   11 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:14

Hello, I hope you and your loved ones are well. Before today’s 10-minute meditation, I share some thoughts about the first noble truth of Buddhism–that life is suffering (or unsatisfying). Thanks a lot, Buddha! Not exactly what I was hoping to hear. Nonetheless…there is power and even joy in abiding in reality. In your life. IRL (in real life). It’s... READ MORE

Buddhism is called the Middle Way. What is it in the middle of?

April 29, 2024   |   4 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:16

Hello, I hope you and yours are well. Before today’s meditation, I offer a few thoughts on the Middle Way, as Buddhism is sometimes referred to. No one has to be a Buddhist to benefit from contemplating this middle way. What is it in the middle of? What does it mean to me and my practice? Have a listen and... READ MORE

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