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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 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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Meditation begins at 16:15
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project practitioners, May 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 world is in need of people who... READ MORE
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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
As you have learned (or will learn if this is your first time meditating), our practice requires us to be mindful of three things. First is mindfulness of body—we hold our posture in a certain way. Second is mindfulness of breath—we place attention on breath and, when it strays, bring it back. Third is mindfulness of mind. But what does... READ MORE
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Meditation begins at 12:00
Dear wonderful Open Heart Project, It’s possible you thought, as did I, that meditation would help you feel…less. Less rage. Less sorrow. I’d have even settled for less crankiness. No such luck–I’m still a human being. I made this video for those of you who fear that anger or other so-called negative emotions mean you are not a spiritual person.... READ MORE
This morning while I was meditating, I pictured myself punching a particular Presidential candidate in the face. I wished he was dead. I found myself hoping that someone would kill him. While I was meditating, y’all. As lame as I may be as a meditator and a Buddhist, I recognized that this was the wrong way to go. Even though... READ MORE
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