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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

Buddhism Beyond Belief: Info Session on 10 January 2025 at 6PM ET

January 13, 2025   |   Leave a reply

Thank you to all who registered to learn more about this new course, Buddhism Beyond Belief. It was a joy to talk with you about the Buddhist path. I hope you found it illuminating, inspiring, and useful. To continue the conversation, please consider signing up for Buddhism Beyond Belief. Here is the curriculum: Curriculum (some topics subject to change to... READ MORE

How to keep difficult feelings from taking over

January 13, 2025   |   4 Comments

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 14:32.

Hello, Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and finding ways to be joyful and kind (to yourself, others, the planet). This video suggests three ways we can work with so-called negative emotions. There are so many all over the place! It can be very difficult to figure out how to work with rage, fear, and, perhaps most dangerous,... READ MORE

Buddhism Beyond Belief: Info Session on 10 January 2025 at 10AM ET

January 10, 2025   |   1 Comment

Thank you to all who registered to learn more about this new course, Buddhism Beyond Belief. It was a joy to talk with you about the Buddhist path. I hope you found it illuminating, inspiring, and useful. To continue the conversation, please consider signing up for Buddhism Beyond Belief. Here is the curriculum: Curriculum (some topics subject to change to... READ MORE

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

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