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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Meditation begins at 16:10
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project, I have three basic suggestions for how Buddhist wisdom can help with heartbreak. Last week we talked about the first step which involves figuring out how to work with your racing or clouded mind. This week, I make suggestions for working with the overwhelming energy of the heart which, when shattered or upset, overflows with... READ MORE
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Meditation begins at 14:36
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project, Many years ago, I wrote a book called The Wisdom of a Broken Heart about how Buddhist wisdom helped me with my own broken heart. I recognize that so many of us are feeling heartbroken right now, whether it shows up as sobbing, rage, numbness, or all of the above. I get emails and messages... READ MORE
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Meditation begins at 15:30
It seems we are in a time of heightened anxiety and fear–and for very understandable reasons. Most suggestions and techniques for calming yourself focus on altering your inner state by various means. Makes sense! But this is often not enough. In this week’s video, I make some suggestions from my Buddhist training about creating an environment from which you can... READ MORE
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Meditation begins at 9:10
I hope you and yours are well! As we get closer and closer to the US election, anxieties and tensions are bound to rise. We are in a state of divisiveness and fear. It is hard (impossible?) not to fall prey to sorrow and frustration. I wish I could tell you that Buddhism had some solution to all of this.... READ MORE
I hope you are well and safe. If you are in a region impacted by recent hurricanes, my heart goes out to you and I hold you in my practice. I know that doesn’t change or fix things, but it’s true nonetheless. This morning I got an email from one of you asking for some thoughts on compassion fatigue. First... READ MORE
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