meditation Archives - The Open Heart Project

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It’s still important to dream. Meditation can actually help make a better world.

February 17, 2025   |   26 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 10:22

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project.  Before today’s sit, I continue the conversation begun a few weeks ago to discuss how we view meditation in the OHP. (It’s different from most views!) The first point was We Engage in Daily Ritual. The second was We Live as Mystics (Hiding in Plain Sight). The third was The Personal is Not the Obstacle—It... 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

The meaning and power of heartbreak

February 10, 2025   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 13:05

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project.  Before today’s sit, I continue the conversation begun two weeks ago to discuss how we view meditation in the OHP. (It’s different from most views!) The first point was We Engage in Daily Ritual. The second was We Live as Mystics (Hiding in Plain Sight). The third is The Personal is Not the Obstacle–It is... READ MORE

On the spiritual path, the personal is not an obstacle. It is the way.

February 3, 2025   |   7 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 10:31

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are finding joy and ease as much as possible. Before today’s sit, I continue the conversation begun two weeks ago to discuss how we view meditation in the OHP. (It’s different from most views!) The first point was We Engage in Daily Ritual. The second was We Live as Mystics (Hiding in... READ MORE

Meditation as a path to real happiness

January 27, 2025   |   4 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 13:40

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope your practice is going well. If it isn’t for any reason, I hope you will immediately switch to a much more difficult practice: being gentle with yourself. Before today’s sit, I share some thoughts about how meditation is actually more of a mystical practice than self-improvement. In fact, it can introduce us to... READ MORE

Accessing the power of ritual

January 20, 2025   |   20 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 11:54

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are finding steadiness and friendship wherever you look. Before today’s sit, I share some thoughts about a favorite subject of mine: the power of ritual. Ritual takes our practice out of the realm of self-help only and situates it in the realm of magic. I try to explain more about this in... READ MORE

3 Paths to Enlightenment

January 6, 2025   |   3 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 06:42

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. Happy new year! May all beings become sane. Before we sit today, I describe 3 different ways of viewing the spiritual journey to enlightenment, according to the Buddhist view (while recovering from hip replacement surgery, which is why my leg is sticking out). You are on one of these paths, I promise! Please have a... READ MORE

Let’s enter 2025 with a strong meditation practice + a 21-day meditation challenge

December 23, 2024   |   6 Comments

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Meditation practice begins at 15:21

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. Happy new year! May all beings become sane.  Before today’s sit, I thought it would be good to go over the biggest misconceptions about meditation practice. After all, many of you may be wanting to reinvigorate your practice in the new year and reviewing these potential stumbling blocks may help. That is the intention! To... READ MORE

6 ways to create more sanity and balance (for real)

December 15, 2024   |   4 Comments

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Meditation practice begins at 10:14

Dear wonderful Open Heart Project, I know it’s crazy out there. Whatever your beliefs or politics, it is not easy to feel certain about the future and how we are going to bridge the many divides in our countries, our neighborhoods, even our homes. It can seem impossible, I understand. However, according to Buddhist thought, it is definitely possible. All... READ MORE

How to become fully consistent in your meditation practice. I promise.

December 9, 2024   |   10 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 9:18

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and finding sources of love and support in your world and in your heart. Before today’s sit, I share with you the reason (IMO) 99% of people who wish to meditate have difficulty with consistency. It simply cannot be so that 99% of people lack self-discipline! It must be something... READ MORE

Meeting difficult moments with wisdom: 3 suggestions

December 2, 2024   |   14 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 11:22

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are finding sources of love and support during these unprecedented times. According to Buddhist wisdom, when we suffer sorrows and anger, we may reflexively react in three ways that actually increase our suffering. They are called the 3 poisons. Bad news: they’re poisonous! Good news: They’re optional! Please have a listen and... READ MORE

How our practice can help with a broken heart (Part 3)

November 25, 2024   |   12 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:47

Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project, I have three basic suggestions for how Buddhist wisdom can help with heartbreak. Two weeks ago, we talked about the first step which involves figuring out how to work with your racing or clouded mind. Last week, I made suggestions for working with the overwhelming energy of the heart. This week, I share some thoughts... READ MORE

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