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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

How can I offer loving kindness to toxic people and still protect my boundaries?

January 22, 2024   |   17 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 8:40

Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project, I received a question recently about offering loving kindness to toxic people while still protecting one’s boundaries. Before today’s sit, I offer a few thoughts. If you’d like to ask a question for me to address in a future video, please don’t hesitate to send. I won’t mention your name or any identifying characteristics.  With... READ MORE

Spiritual practice is not about meditation only, but how we live our lives

January 8, 2024   |   13 Comments

Audio only version is here.
Meditation begins at 12:45

Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project practitioners, I am always so glad to practice with you. I know that many of us are thinking about what we can do to create more goodness and sanity in the world. Before we sit this week, I share a few thoughts about where the confidence to do so can come from. Spoiler alert: it... READ MORE

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

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