Please introduce yourself
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Hello from Westerville Ohio, just north of Columbus Ohio. I’m here to keep learning and deepening my practice and understanding of Buddhism. Cradle Christian, raised American Baptist (the liberal wing), then United Methodist, then ELCA, then Episcopalian and started attending a local Sangha a little over 2 years ago. Institutional religion has become false to me, the concept of God is no longer working – “God” is a ready linguistic placeholder. I do feel a life-force exists before birth and after death that I cannot explain but it seems that something bigger than me/us is in motion and we are invited into that flow if we choose. Even if we don’t, that flow still, well, flows. It isn’t a person, a being, but an insistence … I love how John Caputo defines “God” – not existing but insisting.
I have found Susan’s teaching very grounding and openhearted.
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Hi everyone! Excited to be doing this. I’m Matt, I’m a writer living in Toronto. I’ve been a member of the Sangha for about four years now, and have found particularly in the last couple of years I’ve been applying a lot of the teaching to my writing process. I’m particularly interested in taking that further, via this course. See you soon!
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Hello from Tucson, AZ! I have been interested in Buddhism and practiced meditation on and off over 15+ years, a couple of times (at least, it might have actually been more often) in retreats with Susan. I have found the Buddhist teachings and practice to be *the* grounding force in my life, without me ever formally becoming a Buddhist. I like to say I am a non-practicing catholic and a practicing non-Buddhist.
Now my life is taking an interesting turn, as I am in the process of adopting two elementary school-aged kids from Haiti. They happen to be in a catholic orphanage and are used to praying and going to church on Sundays. Even though I have not gone to church since my childhood and don’t really believe in God, I certainly do not want to take their faith away from them, as they will already leave their familiar surroundings behind, and have looked into finding a open-minded church for us while I am still pursuing the practices that I have found very helpful in life. So, I am navigating interesting territory here. -
Warm greetings to you all. I’m Pidge and I live in Pacifica, CA (San Francisco Bay Area). I’ve been a member of the Open Heart Project for several years, and I am feeling the call to deepen my study of Buddhism and move toward a more devotional spiritual practice. Susan’s teachings and writings and presence have been a blessing in my life and I’m looking forward to more and more community with others here on their path.
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Hello from Rockport, MA which is a small seaside town about 50 miles northeast of Boston, MA. My first introduction to Buddhism began with being a yoga student and teacher for 20+ years. Some of my yoga teachers were practicing Buddhists and supplemented their teachings with the Buddhist dharma. I have continued to have an interest in Buddhism and believe it would be more constructive if I have a teacher to help me understand more of the teachings. I would like to have more understanding of these teachings so that I can bring more into my everyday life. I feel that Susan is down to earth and her teachings can be easily understood. I am looking forward to this course.
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Greetings, to everyone from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the northwest corner of AR. I grew up Episcopalian but stopped attending when my teenagers headed to other churches with their friends. I grew interested in meditation a few years ago and have had what I would call a “light practice” — consistent but not where I want it. I attended a sangha a few times with my sister-in-law when we visited Nashville and would love to have one of my own. I would say I’m in a spiritual evolution. I think this course will be perfect for deepening my understanding of Buddhism’s teaching and incorporating them into my life. I appreciate the opportunity to do this with a community of learners!
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Hello from the Texas Hill Country (but originally from Northern CA). I am so happy to be a part of this group! I have been introduced to Buddhism many times in my life, but after a series of stressful events plus the season of my life changing, I was able to finally make it a serious part of my world about a year ago. I love being on this path with OHP and appreciate Susan’s teachings so much. I look forward to learning & growing with y’all!
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Hello from Boulder, Colorado! I’m here to explore Buddhism more intentionally and for the support of an instructor-led community experience vs. reading and trying to learn on my own. I grew up Roman Catholic and knew from an early age that this was not my path. Later on, I attended a progressive Episcopal church that I enjoyed for many years. However, over time I’ve come to know myself as ‘spiritual but not religious’ so I feel drawn to Buddhism because it is an inherently non-theistic tradition. I look forward to the class and meeting all of you soon!
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Greetings from Phoenix. Like the mythical bird, I am rising, seeking understanding and peace in these chaotic times. I am Jewish by birth and practice, have studied and followed Christianity for years, and now am embracing Buddhism as a personal philosophy. I became interested in Buddhism while reading Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha in the early 70s. Fifty years and many books later, I am a beginner in the study, eager to embrace it as best I can. I look forward to learning with you.
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Hello, I am Lynne Bannerman.I now live in Olympia WA to be close to my grandchildren. I was introduced to meditation by the Marharishi in Berkeley CA in the 60s. I have practiced off and on, depending on how my life was going….on during stressful times. Also mindfulness aka Jon Cabot Zinn. This recent move to Olympia brought both a physical and emotional crisis (and positive closeness with my family). A therapist didn’t quite work out but put me in touch with the work of Kristen Neff and somehow I found my way to the OHP. I especially like it when Susan says “don’t take my word for it”. I wish to deepen my understanding and my practice .I also recently joined the OHP Sangha. My birthday is this week and I plan to celebrate rather than fear the coming year.
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Hello everyone,
My name is Tammy and I am originally a Jersey Girl who now lives and works in The Hudson Valley,in the state of New York.
I am just beginning my Buddhist journey and look forward to this course. I have always received Susan’s daily meditations, but have only fairly recently joined the Sangha.
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Hi All,
So pleased to be joining this group. Home for me is just outside Philadelphia. I have been connected to OHP for about 8 years now. My meditation practice has ebbed and flowed over those years, really becoming consistent over the past two. I’m seeking a fuller understanding of Buddhism beyond the meditation cushion, and hoping it may be the thread that helps weave a fabric of the various sectors of my life that can feel dysfunctional in their siloed state. Looking forward to meeting you all soon!
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Hello from Hardeeville, South Carolina. (I am located just between Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC.)
This is a new journey for me! I have been talking about needing something “more” in my life for some time. But being unable to define what “more” is…well, I haven’t known where to start. So…here I take a step!
I did try some mindfulness exercises and practice during my 30 year corporate career but found it to be more stressful than helpful. It seemed that I could never get my mind off of work (and the next five meetings that I had to attend that day!).
I am hoping this class will help guide me (and my racing brain) to find some peace and quiet, and acceptance of what is here and what is yet to come! -
Hi friends! This is Wendy from Sarasota, FL. I started my mindfulness practice early in the pandemic with the support of the 10% Happier app. Was fortunate to catch one of the podcasts with Susan and loved her very direct and no BS style of interacting so much that I immediately and eagerly joined the OHP Sangha!
Feel like a beautiful door has been opened, along with my heart. I am very grateful to be in this space with each of you and look forward to experiencing Buddhism IRL together! -
Hi there! My name is Thereza, and I am currently near Phoenix, AZ. I have practiced and taught mindfulness for a decade now. I am looking forward to integrating my understanding of life from a Buddhist perspective into my daily routine. I took refuge in the beginning of 2019 and love chenrezi, specially listening to the lovely Tibetan sounds to bypass the overthinking.
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Hi All –
I live in Mancos, a small town in the SW corner of Colorado. I’ve been a member of the Open Heart Project since the beginning and find that the more I engage with what OHP has to offer, the more connected I am to my practice and greater sanity – at least on some days 🙂 I’m excited to learn more about how Buddhist teachings/wisdom can guide me in my daily life and to share this experience with others who are also curious. Looking forward to it! -
I am Joell from MN but live in FL. I am fortunate enough to be going through amazing transitions in most areas of my life all at once. I have so much ahead of me. I want to learn more about buddhism to make me aware of opportunities where I could have responded to people and situations differently. I want to learn to “take my seat”. In a short time, meditation and the little studying of buddhism, I have been transformed so that my insides often feeling very different than before. I feel most grateful for Susan Piver and I invite her into my meditation in the morning and thank her after. I hear her.
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Hello. This is Maureen from Nova Scotia Canada. I have practiced meditation for many years and for some I was loosely attached to the local Shambhala sangha. My interest in this course is practical. I believe living a more intentional spiritual life offers us humans a chance to contribute sanity to our crazy world so I am looking to this course for ways to do so.
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Hi I am Melissa from St Simons Island Georgia. I am very happy to be able to delve into the practice with this class. I have been a part of the OpenHeart Project since 2021 and have taken the vow. I feel I know less the more I practice.
I had a wonderful therapist in the early 2000’s who introduced me to Buddhism as I had been searching for anything that made sense in the way of spiritual anything!
Susan is amazing and I am honored to call her Teacher🙏💐 -
Hi, I’m Sharon and I also live on St. Simons Island, GA. (Hey, Melissa!) I’m originally from Atlanta and was brought up in the Southern Baptist tradition, on which I turned my back when I was about 16. I’ve always felt a spiritual longing but never found a place where it could be fulfilled until about 10 years ago when I discovered the Open Heart Project. (I’d done a lot of reading on the fringes, had an on again/off again mediation practice over the intervening years, but nothing I could stick with.) Thanks to Susan, I was introduced to Buddhism as a deeply spiritual practice as well as being a no BS, deeply practical way of thinking and living in the world as it IS, not as how we’d like it to be. SO happy to be here and to explore the path more thoroughly.
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Hello – My name is Lilly and I live in Berkeley, California. I have been practicing meditation and studying Buddhism for around 15 years and connected with the Open Heart Project for the past 5 years or so. Over the past few years, I have been focused on raising my young son and my work as a teacher of young children. I have been feeling disconnected from the practices and community, and I see this class is an opportunity to reconnect with a daily meditation practice and the teachings I hold true. I’m grateful to be here!
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Hello, Everyone! My name is Betsy Loeb. I live in Columbus, OH (40 years) and lived on east coast (14 years) and Louisiana near New Orleans (21 years). Yes, I just turned 75 years in January. Turning 75 years has had a de-stabilizing impact on me. I have been part of the local Shambhala community for over 10 years and with OHP, 4-6 years. I’m delighted to be part of this program. I’m longing to deepen my spiritual practice. For some reason I think that I don’t approach life full-on, but more 1/2 way. I want to change that approach to life. with gratitude to Susan for offering this “deep dive”.
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Hi Everyone, My name is Penelope Clements. I live between Atlanta, GA, and Santa Fe, NM. Recently, I rejoined the OHP and have enjoyed reconnecting with the community and checking out the new offerings. This course sounded fabulous, and I am grateful to have the time to participate. I look forward to sitting, learning, and meeting all of you.
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Hello fellow humans. I am Laura living on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, but born a Buckeye (HI BETSY!!). Where to start? 1) Only child of an only child with no children, BUT I HAVE A HUSBAND (lol) 2) said husband born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, but yes we met in Columbus, Ohio 3) I just became an Italian (Sicilian) citizen through my maternal side, in part because my future lies in Europe and getting Swiss citizenship is impossible 4) my 25-year career in an amazing role in the touring Broadway industry ended unexpectedly about 15 years ago and it threw me into a tailspin for years (I’m not THAT old – I was still in grad school when the career started) 5) A good therapist led me to meditation which led me to Jeff Warren from whom I voraciously consumed everything. That led me to Susan (maybe 2020) via a random podcast featuring both of them. And POOF I am now in OHP. Probably the least knowledgeable about Buddhism than all of you so I figured maybe I should figure that part out too. Thanks to the entire OHP team and each member of our Sangha! OH – and to all the cats – MAYO/MEOW!
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Hello from Plain City, Ohio, just northwest of Columbus. I am a Special Education teacher who works in a very multicultural building in my school district. 48 different languages are spoken by students and staff in our setting. It has been enlightening and enriching to my life. I grew up in rural Western Pennsylvania where most of its residents in our town were from similar backgrounds and beliefs. I grew up in the Episcopal church. I consider myself Christian, but do not attend church as I have been dismayed in the past by my experiences. I have been exposed to some Buddhist principals through friends and desire to know more about how these can play a part in my life. I am open to new experiences and to being challenged in my thinking. I look forward to this learning journey.
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Hello, my name is Jake. I’m 22 years old, I grew up in Portland OR and currently live in Goleta California.
I have always been a seeker. At 15 I first experienced a consistent meditation practice and it was difficult but very impactful. I have been inspired by many different paths and voices along the way and often found the most resonant truths to be more shared than individual. Through meeting and taking classes with Susan I started into Tibetan Buddhism, and felt that many things just made sense: that these were teachings I had heard in my heart and mind since being a child and now, here they were externalized.
I took refuge in 2023.
I am so grateful for the strength and selflessness offered by our teacher Susan Piver, I know she has helped so many. Happy to share these teachings and experiences with you all!
Also, I am a four! for those who have enjoyed some study of the enneagram. -
Greetings from Irena in Gilford, New Hampshire! The sun is shining and there is a symphony of birds entertaining me as I sit in the parking lot of my husband’s doctor. What a glorious moment! Ok, perhaps you should know that I am often accused of pathologic optimism. Frankly, there are many worse conditions to endure. Tibetan Buddhism found me during my teen years when I became an avid reader, sent me to Tibet in 1986, invited me to become a serious student of Sogyal Rinpoche and member of the Rigpa Sangha, and then has provided me with a great deal of material for practice since summer 2017, the beginning of a unfolding spiritual implosion among other things. I am deeply grateful for Susan’s efforts to share the teachings and feel so privileged to be part of this amazing group of people!
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Hello everyone! My name is Elizabeth Chapman and I am from Nyack, NY (about 25 miles north of NYC on the west side of the Hudson River). I have been meditating for 15+ years, with a steady practice for about the last 12 years. I came to meditation when therapy was no longer meeting my need to understand, know, and heal myself, and I felt there must be something more. I joined the OHP about 3 years ago because I was unable to find a local sangha and I felt I needed support and connection for my practice. The OHP has provided exactly that and more and I am so grateful to Susan for starting it. My practice has changed my life in so many ways. With this course, I am hoping to continue to enrich my understanding of the dharma and how to apply it in my real life, in actual situations. I look forward to learning from all of you and am grateful for this group, this course, and this life!
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Hello, fellow seekers! My name is Amanda Turner. I live in Hastings, Nebraska (south central part of the state). My Buddhism journey began last year. A friend (who began a Shambhala path about 10 years ago) and I spent the day at the Drala Mountain Center in Colorado, and I grabbed a few books while there, including Start Here Now (by the one and only Susan Piver!). The next day we went to an Intro to Meditation class at the Boulder Shambhala Center. I have been on a path of understanding without making real commitment. Since that weekend, I have been seeking. I keep trying to put away my disgust with the lineage holders of that path. And yet, so many find the teachings of these lineage holders to be a profound path to enlightenment. So, I continue to seek, let in what feels safe. I see that many of you have been on the Shambhala path. Maybe I will get to know some of you and can ask some questions!
Jake, fellow 4 here! And Susan, I have given away three copies of The Buddhist Enneagram so far! -
Yuma (hello) everyone
My name is Caitlin and I live in Canberra, Australia! I have just moved house so coming to the content a bit slowly.Yuma is hello in the Ngunnawal language, the Aboriginal people who are the traditional custodians of the land of the Australian Capital Territory.
I might not be able to connect with you directly due to the time zone difference but hope to contribute online 🙂
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