Welcome! Please introduce yourself.
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Greetings from Eagle River, Alaska. My name is Sue May, Shiwa Chotso after taking the Refuge Vow in 2019. I haven’t taken an OHP course in several years, and this one seems like a “boots on the ground” course in taking dharma into everyday life, which continues to have surprises. I think that I am approaching this course in a spirit of curiosity, albeit with an innate skepticism.
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Hello to All,
My name is Betsy and I live in Columbus, OH. Most recently I took the Buddhism in EveryDay Life course and the Meditation Teacher Training. I’m looking forward to this course to build on these two wonderful courses. For me, having the opportunity to study with Susan and others is one of my joys in life. I feel the most sane. And, in a world of great insanity I feel whatever I can do to make a difference is so important. -
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Hi
Kathy here from San Diego,CA.
I have been following Susan as a member of her sangha off & on, reading her books, etc.
I consider her my main Buddhist influence.I am a fan of her approachable, real-life style.
This course is a deeper dive for me that I am hoping to have many ‘aha’ moments where I finally bring these teachings daily into my everyday life! Very grateful and excited to begin 2025 in this spiritual way. -
Hi everyone, my name is Ellen. I am from the Netherlands, yet spent most of my adult life living in the US, Asia and Africa. In the summer of 2024 I moved back to the Netherlands–at least for a while. Since joining the OHP in 2020 and taking the teacher training, meditation has helped me a lot in being in touch with and really feeling my feelings. Learning from Susan and the other teachers at the OHP has been a major factor in my personal growth. I am really looking forward to continuing my journey by participating in this course. Due to the time difference between the US and the Netherlands, I will not be able to participate in the live classes, however I hope to engage through this forum and small groups.
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Hello everyone!
I’m Jamie Evans, a fourth grade teacher in Chicago, originally from Liverpool.
I came to Susan’s work via her amazing book, The Buddhist Enneagram. Absolutely brilliant! I’m an extremely grateful graduate of the Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training Program, which deepened my own practice greatly. I learned how deeply mysterious, paradoxical and powerful regular practice can become. Also, what an incredibly deft teacher Susan is.
Unfortunately I have to admit my practice became much more erratic since the teacher training course ended, so I am keen to join a dedicated sangha and get back in the swing of things. -
Hello, my name is Elizabeth. I am a recently retired professional living outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I have been studying and practicing meditation and yoga for the past several years, and have been following Susan for about a year now. I am interested in deepening my understanding of Buddhism philosophy and bringing the teachings and practices into my everyday life. I look forward to being a part of this sangha!
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Hi everyone!
My name is Anna. I live in Germany so let’s see whether I will indeed make it to the live sessions on all Thursdays, since it will be midnight over here… 🙂
I have found everything happening here at the OHP and everything I have read by Susan really very helpful and inspiring, and I have already greatly benefited through the ways in which these teachings enable me to “stay with myself” more.
I am taking the programme now in order to make a stronger commitment to dedicate time to practice and reflection, and to integrate these teachings more seriously (in a light sense) into my own life. I also look forward to listening to others in the small Saturday morning groups. -
Hello, My name is Rob. I live in NYC. I am originally from Detroit, Michigan USA
I work in a think tank called Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) and have worked in government, finance, music, and film making. I love sailing.
I am a big fan of Susan and have read many of her books over the years since we met in the music world. I look forward to learning from you all.
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Hi, I’m Bill from Temecula, CA. I discovered Susan Piver and the OHP about a year ago when someone recommended her Enneagram book. I listened to it on Audible and subscribed to her weekly meditations. In June of 2024 I joined the OHP and took the Refuge Vows. I really want to diver deeper into the dharma, learn more and integrate it into my own life. Susan is an amazing teacher and I’m excited for this course.
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Hi, I am Melissa from St Simon’s Island, Ga. I have been a member of the Open Heart Project for about 4 years. I love being able to delve deeper into the Buddhist path with Susan and the online Sangha. I took refuge vows and then took the class last year. I am happy to keep diving deeper into the practice. Thank you so much Susan!
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Hello all, my name is Lacey from southern Utah and I’m a musician/music educator. I have loved everything I’ve found so far that Susan has created. I’m new to the OHP, not new to what I consider to be some basics of Buddhism, and am ready to dive deeper with you all. I won’t make it to the first two live sessions due to concerts and work commitments, but will catch up and join for the rest.
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Hello everyone, my name is Farid, and I’m originally from Iran, but I have been living in Denmark since 2022. I’m not sure if I can take part in live classes because of the time zone; the classes start at midnight. I think I can participate as a listener at least for the first session.
I hope that by taking part in this class, I can, as always, receive more practical advice from Susan to help me turn my real life into practice.
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Hi all! So nice to read these posts — I look forward to meeting and studying with you all. My name is Caroline and I live in Lawrence, KS. I’ve been a member of OHP for a few years, and took the teacher training. I’m drawn to this class because I am ever eager to learn more about the path — but also because I was initially resistant to it when I saw that it began with ritual. I have some skepticism and distaste around ritual, and that makes me want to dive in and explore what that’s about. Usually something juicy in the resistance!
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My name is Lisa and I am on the north coast of California where the redwoods meet the sea.
I am happy to be here and try to dig into these amazing teachings further. I am constantly inspired by Susan and the OHP, plus I find myself in a place of wanting to surround myself with more knowledge and positivity. -
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Bailey and I live in Manassas, VA just outside of Washington, DC. The course description really spoke to me and when I attended the information session, it confirmed my feeling that this approach is what I need in this moment. I am at a bit of a crossroads after some major life changes including the death of my father last year. I have loved Susan and the OHP’s approach to meditation and life practices for quite a few years. I love the idea of exploring what all of this means to me, specifically and directly. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
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Hello! I’m Amy Koop, an Open Heart Project Member since 2019. I signed up after stumbling upon Susan’s book Start Here Now, which changed my life in the way it made meditation accessible for me for the first time in my life. I love the way Susan’s approach to teaching stretches my comfort zone. And being in community with this wonderful sangha is a gift. Excited to meet all of you on this BBB journey!
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Hello all! My name is Susan Biggs; I have been an Open Heart member since 2017 and certified by OHP to teach Shamatha meditation, though I haven’t taught in a while. I’d like to get back to it. My OHP circle group has kept me anchored in the practice but I’m looking forward to garnering some new perspectives in this course. Thanks, Susan!
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Hi fellow journeyers! My name is Sue Lowry and I spilt time living between Cheyenne Wyoming and Huntsville, Utah. I have been a member of the OHP for several years and find Susan’s teachings so accessible and pertinent. I have taken the refuge and Bodhisattva vows with Susan and Micheal Carroll. I very much look forward to studying with each of you in the course!
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Hello, just seeing this – sorry for the late post. My name is Tracy Serros. I live in San Jose, CA, and I teach high school science. I’ve been receiving Susan’s weekly emails and dabbling in meditation for many years. I recently have felt called to commit more deeply to the practice and to learn more about Buddhist teachings, and this course kind of fell in my lap at the perfect time. I appreciate the opportunity to practice in community and to learn.
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Hello there,
I’m Cat, an anglo-franco Montreal, Quebecer and
I offer Qigong classes, Shiatsu Massage Therapy, and Somatic and Mindfulness Coaching. Also last fall, I graduated with an MFA in creative writing from the Jack Kerouac School of Naropa University and I am finishing a novel (I have been repeating this same sentence for quite some time, finishing the finishing I think now finally haha) and recently completed a poetry chapbook. I’m a mom of two kids and a big fluffy dog friend.Looking forward to a container for sharing the form and formlessness of all things sane and good here together; feeling the need for community and guidance to go deeper or rather, stay deeper and not jump out. Already, I feel encouraged and bolder.
I was first exposed to Buddhism on two back-to-back silent retreats in Thailand in Theravadan Buddhism a whole bunch of years back, and then discovered and fell in love with and took refuge in the Shambhala Tibetan lineage during a Dahtun at the Drala Mountain Center at the Stupa. This was a few months before I became pregnant with my now, sixteen-year-old daughter. Consistency in my practice has been a bumpy ride. I completed the OHP teacher’s training a few years ago and recently, as the magic would have it, I bumped into Susan live at the Drala Mountain Center this last summer. I took it as a sign to get my ass back to the cushion with her teaching the teachings! Community is essential, so thank you for this. And thank you for the scholarship from OHP!
Warmth to all,
and may we have a fantastic, real, mind-heart-opening, and auspicious journey.C
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Hi all, I’m Katie in Yonkers NY. My 105 year old house 20 minutes from NYC is my sanctuary. I’m close to the hustle and bustle of a city that stimulates, offering unlimited resources for my creativity and curiosity. I love the rush of possibilities with all the anxiety it brings knowing that I have a peaceful retreat to come home to and process, sit in silence, integrate what I have brought home into my life and relationships. Here I am surrounded by meaningful objects and cherished images collected over time, here is where I sit every morning since I started with Susan in 2019 at 9:00 am and meditate with my wonderful OHP Sanga – it’s like a warm hug. I’m grateful for this ritual to start my day. I’m grateful for the discipline I have to do this everyday even when I’m not sure why feeling my breath and being aware of the moment is so important. What I am aware of is my ability to take a few breaths before I react to what’s going on around me. Just feeling the breath is huge and it immediately grounds me.
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Hi everyone! I’m Michelle in Binghamton, NY. I joined this class to begin again — I’ve done some Buddhist study in the past with Susan and others and I’m ready for another spin of the wheel. I’ve very recently left Brooklyn, NY after living there for 12 years and even though the move was intentional and chosen — I’m feeling a bit unmoored. I joined this class as one of my efforts to ground myself. I’m glad to be here with all of you!
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Hello everyone,
My name is Penelope, and I’m in Atlanta. I am very grateful to Susan and the OHP for offering these classes and to all of you for being a part of this experience. It’s wonderful to meet you. I often find life confusing, and my practice, along with classes like this one, helps me navigate through it with less confusion and more open-heartedness. Since taking “Buddhism in Everyday Life” with Susan last year, I have made it a point to keep my meditation table and space tidy. Keeping things tidy is not one of my strengths, but it has become a delight to practice in a clean, well-cared-for space with adorned meaningful items. I look forward to learning more with you all.
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My name is Jan. I live in Lawrence, Kansas – moved here from Atlanta in August. I’ve been part of the OHP Sangha since I took the meditation teacher training in 2020. I started getting more involved in the OHP programs in the last three years. I took the Refuge Vow in 2024 and came to this program to dive deeper into the dharma, and develop more connections in the sangha. I’ve been a student of Margaret Wheatley in her Warriors for the Human Spirit program since 2017, training for the times we are now in through deepening the practice to be more aware and prepared to be of service to humanity – often one person at a time – during this time of growing chaos and collapse. This training is in the same lineage as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Pema Chodron, and Susan Piver. Another important teacher for me in that same lineage was Jerry Granelli, who co-created the Warrior Training with Meg – he left this plane in 2021 and I still feel his presence and hear his amazing jazz drumming in my heart.
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Hello, everyone. I am so grateful to be a part of this course and to be with and learn from all of you! My name is Dominic Young. I’m 54, and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I am a life coach who is at the beginning of my coaching business journey. I have been a student of Buddhism for many years and took Refuge with my meditation teacher and “spiritual friend” Lodro Sangpo in 2021. I just graduated from Susan’s Meditation Teacher Training program and am here in this course to deepen my practice and to deepen my understanding of the Dharma and how it relates to my life on a daily basis. I hope to learn and grow personally and to then be able to share the Dharma with others more fully and authentically. I am open to learning and challenging myself and my thoughts always. So, happy to learn and engage with all of you!🙏
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Hello Everyone!
My name is Rachel Hirning, and I live in Steamboat Springs CO. I have fallen in love with Susan and all the offerings the Open Heart Project provides. I graduated from the meditation teacher training recently. That opened me up to the jewel of Sangha. I am ready for it. I am also in love with art making and how meditation supports the creative process. I’ve been a counselor and art therapist for many years, and graduated from Naropa University in 2005. However, I am hoping to branch out of that work and into more coaching/supportive roles. Im finding midlife to be a coming home of sorts, allowing me to deepen what I feel matters and reconnect with what set me off on that career path to begin with. Happy to deepen with all of you! -
Hi everyone! Glad to be on this journey with you. I live in the Finger Lakes of western NY most of the year but am currently in Hilton Head, SC for the winter (and very grateful given how cold and snowy it’s been back home). I am here as one more way to deepen into my spiritual practice, which seems like a very strong call this year. I took Susan’s Meditation Instructor Training 6 years ago and have found this practice to have blown my heart open in so many hard and beautiful ways. Happy to learn more and to continue this exploration. Thanks for creating the opportunity, Susan!
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Hi everyone! My name is Karen Stroes and I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. I’m 61 and am a nursing unit assistant at a hospital in Victoria, BC. My bestie, Erin, took the meditation teacher training with Susan and was greatly impressed with her teaching style. I recently took the Buddhism in Everyday Life course and really enjoyed it. I felt the Buddhism Beyond Belief course would be a great next step to support me in deepening my practice. I’m currently in Mexico so I feel a little behind, but I’m looking forward to learning more with Susan and you all.
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