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
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
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
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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
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:02
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 get emails and messages about the impact of this book more than anything I have ever written. I am gratified to know it is useful. (Last year, I updated... READ MORE
I’ve started posting on Substack. It will be a space for me to share personal stories about Buddhism IRL, trying to write things, my love of music, enneagram musings, things I worry about, and why is it so hard to love?! Please head on over to subscribe and receive all future posts. I’d love to see you there. No paywall, everything... READ MORE
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Meditation practice begins at 11:06
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and I send you my love. Before today’s sit, I share with you a chant I have been doing for more than 30 years: The Four Dharmas of Gampopa. In this short talk, I talk about who Gampopa was and how magical these four dharmas are. In fact, they outline... READ MORE
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Meditation practice begins at 18:10
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and send you my love. Before today’s sit, I offer some suggestions for ensuring that your meditation practice is consistent and, even more important, that it provides support for meditation as a spiritual practice (rather than–or in addition to–our self-improvement programs). There are three supports you need. Please have a... READ MORE
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Meditation practice begins at 18:58
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. In the past weeks, I’ve tried to convey to you how important your practice is–and not just for yourself (which it is), but for others and for this world. I outlined 6 points to explain how we view our practice here in the OHP as way more than self-help, but as a path of genuine... READ MORE
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Meditation practice begins at 15:11
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. Before today’s sit, I share a few thoughts (okay, more than a few) about the vital importance of remaining in control of your attention. Many forces in the world are vying for it, including people you agree and disagree with. While it is of utmost importance to pay attention to the suffering and chaos of... READ MORE
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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
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