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SUSAN’S
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How is it possible to practice during a time of stress and anger?

October 7, 2024   |   8 Comments

Audio only version is here.
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

What to do about “monkey mind”?

September 9, 2024   |   2 Comments The sitar player said, “If I tune the strings too tightly, they break. If they are too loose, no sound comes out.” “Just so,” replied the Buddha, “you should hold your mind in meditation.”

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

3 ways to work with “negative” emotions

September 2, 2024   |   5 Comments

Audio only version is here
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

Election season anger and fear

August 26, 2024   |   2 Comments

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

Recording of Meet the Inner Teacher info session

August 12, 2024   |   2 Comments

It was a joy to discuss the means by which meditation supports a deeper relationship with your own wisdom mind.  Meeting the inner teacher is a profound and fascinating subject—and one rarely discussed when mindfulness meditation is taught as a self-help technique or life hack. As mindfulness makes its way into our culture, fewer and fewer teachers offer it for... READ MORE

What is the “middle way?” (Might not be what you thought…)

August 12, 2024   |   12 Comments

Audio-only version is here. Meditation practice begins at 11:36. Dear Open Heart Project, Hello, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who reached out to me after my cat passed away. Your kindness has been received and welcome. In this video, I share something I’ve been thinking about in relation so my own spiritual journey, what in Buddhism is called... READ MORE

Grief, loss, and cats

August 5, 2024   |   74 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 21:17

Hello, First off, I want to say that if you are struggling with grief or depression, you may not want to listen to this because I cry and talk about my own sorrows.  In this video, I share about my loss of a beloved household member, our cat, Sly. I didn’t know if I could talk about it because I... READ MORE

If your meditation is not making you more peaceful…

May 6, 2024   |   24 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 14:23

Hello you wonderful human. How do I know you’re wonderful? Because you are interested in meditation and your spiritual journey. Case closed. Many of us wonder how we can achieve the inner peace and tranquility of the great teachers we love. This is an excellent quest. However, most of these great teachers (you may notice) are wearing robes. Why? Because... READ MORE

How can I find a (trustworthy) teacher?

April 22, 2024   |   8 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 10:03

Hello, wonderful person, Before today’s practice, I share a few thoughts in response to a question I hear from you somewhat regularly: how to find a teacher? How do I know who and what to trust? Before today’s sit, I offer a few thoughts. Spoiler: there are no easy answers. With love,  Susan

Are we practicing mindfulness? Yes. And no.

April 15, 2024   |   17 Comments

Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 8:46

Hello, wonderful person. Before today’s practice, I share a few thoughts about mindfulness meditation. Is that what we are doing when we sit together? Yes, that is accurate. But it is only 50% accurate. There is another aspect that is equally important. Please have a listen to this short talk to learn more. And let me know what you think... READ MORE

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