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The #1 most difficult task for spiritual practitioners

January 1, 2024   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation begins at 16:15

Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project practitioners, Happy new year! May 2024 be the year all beings discover their inherent sanity and decency.  Although it may sound improbable, meditation is a direct conduit to such qualities. It introduces space between what we think and what we do, how we feel and the conclusions we draw about self and other. Truly, the... READ MORE

Meditation is a spiritual practice (not just self-help)

December 25, 2023   |   7 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 19:15

Happy holiday! This week, I offer you three steps to keep our practice in the realm of the sacred (rather than self-help). The greatest benefits of meditation—wisdom, compassion, and courage—are often “left on the table” – but they are really worth remembering. If you haven’t signed up for it yet, please join us for our free Building a Mindful New... READ MORE

What does Buddhism say about how to stop suffering?

October 16, 2023   |   14 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 23:02.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and finding joy in your world. In the last few weeks, we began a discussion of the Four Noble Truths, the foundational teachings in all of Buddhism. Life is suffering. (uh-oh) The cause of suffering (grasping) The cessation of suffering (it’s possible!) The Noble 8-Fold Path (steps you can take... READ MORE

Why are we all so afraid? What calms fear?

October 9, 2023   |   4 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 16:44.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and finding joy in your world. Last week, I launched a series of weekly emails about the foundational Buddhist teachings on the Four Noble Truths. They are: Life is suffering. (uh-oh) The cause of suffering (grasping) The cessation of suffering (it’s possible!) The Noble 8-Fold Path (steps you can take... READ MORE

Where to start in trying to live a mindful, spiritual, joyful life?

October 2, 2023   |   2 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 20:04.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. It is great that we can practice together. I so appreciate your responses to our recent questionnaire about these videos and what might make them more useful to you. Very grateful to all who took the time to respond to these five questions. Please click here to add your voice! One thing I got from... READ MORE

How to infuse your day with courage

September 25, 2023   |   1 Comment

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is freeze in the face of the world’s ills. Then I think about what’s on my to-do list and wonder if I can actually do any of the things I hope to. Am I capable or just a capable poser? Will there be something in my email... READ MORE

Think you should aspire to non-attachment? Think again.

September 18, 2023   |   15 Comments

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 13:45.

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you and yours are well and safe. I so appreciate your responses to our recent questionnaire about these videos and what might make them more useful to you. Very grateful to all who took the time to respond to these five questions. Please click here to add your voice! Before this week’s meditation... READ MORE

How to take enlightened activity in a crazy world

September 4, 2023   |   3 Comments

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

Traits of the Awakened Mind, Part 3: Power

August 14, 2023   |   Leave a reply

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

Traits of the Awakened Mind, Part 2: Wisdom

August 7, 2023   |   Leave a reply

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

Traits of the Awakened Mind, Part 1: Compassion

July 31, 2023   |   Leave a reply

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

Is it even possible to let go of my ego?

June 12, 2023   |   1 Comment

  Hello Open Heart Project, As a Buddhist teacher and someone with a lifelong interest in spirituality, I have attended my share of, well, interesting gatherings. From months-long meditation retreats where the vast and profound dharma is practiced, to sweaty evenings of devotional chanting, to workshops on using Sacred Geometry to attract love, to cocktail parties where sage is burned... READ MORE

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