The Open Heart Project Annual Report

January 12, 2015   |   30 Comments

In creating the Open Heart Project, we are building something astonishing: the world’s first completely virtual, thoroughly robust, dharmically honest meditation center. My thoughts on how it went in 2014, where we are going in 2015, and the fascinating challenges encountered.

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30 Comments

  • Posted by:  Suzanne Holman

    Susan, I just completed reading your 2014 Annual Report. I found it to be profoundly honest, inspiring, and informative.
    I’m happy to be part of the Sangha and look forward to seeing everything unfold for you and your business!
    Namaste.
    Suzanne

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      I am so happy we are practicing together, Suzanne!

  • Posted by:  Katherine Arnup

    Susan,
    Thank you for sharing this breathtakingly honest and brilliant “annual report.” Thank you for your honesty and transparency and vulnerability. As someone who shares your depression=profound self-doubt, I love the ways you have shared that with such openness. This is an extremely difficult path for one who feels things so deeply, and, I suspect, the only path worth taking.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Sending love.

  • Posted by:  Joe Ridge

    Let’s hope that as membership grows and your new programs expand that membersship will become a significant force for better political leadership. Government is a reflection of the attitude and behavior of the governed.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      I share your hope.

  • Posted by:  Sara Macias

    Thank you Susan. I am new here and to meditation, but I’m thankful to you for teaching me.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      You are welcome, Sara, and i am thankful to you for practicing with me.

  • Posted by:  J'aime

    Very best wishes for the Open Heat Project in 2015!!

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Merci!

  • Posted by:  Charles Stoy

    Thank you for the wonderful post and for sharing your vision for this community. I am deeply honored to be part of this work and opportunity to spread and share the Dharma.

    I believe I read in a posting that you are considering continuing with daily meditations with presentations by various Dharma teachers. If I may be so bold as to recommend three: bell hooks, Jan Willis, and angel Kyodo williams. I suggest these three because of their unique perspective on the Dharma and how Blacks and Whites relate within this community.

    Again thank you for sharing the Annual Report and your vision. I hope to add my small portion of effort to see your vision become reality.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Many thanks for the kind words and the excellent suggestions. We have already been in touch with Kyodo williams and Kate Johnson. bell hooks is a wonderful suggestion and I will check out Jan Willis (not familiar with her). Thank you again.

  • Posted by:  Charles Stoy

    Susan,

    I would like to expand a little about why I would like to have the three teachers speak. Jan Willis, who was learning about Buddhism, attended a Zen group in Triangle region of North Carolina. She frequented the group and in time began to bring friends to sit with her at this group. She did this because she felt the inclusion. One day, a member of the group approached her and said “Here are some tapes of the teachings so you don’t have to drive here to attend.”

    There is this belief and I have seen it in several different Zen and Tibetean groups that certain people of color have nothing to offer. Another perception is that this is a Whites only club (I don’t believe that the OPH Sangha adheres to this which is why I am a member) I believe these to be tremendously incorrect beliefs. The dharma is for all beings and all beings can teach the dharma.

    I understand if this is not possible (for them, all of them, or one of them) to teach because of scheduling, but I think the opportunity for them to teach to us from their perspective would be very opening for us.

    Thank you.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      I agree. It is a good opportunity and we are conscious of making use of it. I appreciate your reminders. They are valuable.

  • Posted by:  Warren Burrows, MD

    Susan,
    Just read your 2014 “annual report”. Very cool. Very open. Very heart warming. Thanks for this venue. I am a “beginner” in meditation and daily mindfulness practice (about 1.5 years). So much to learn. I am almost 70 years old it is easy to get discouraged, especially without sangha. I also struggle with depression and many of its annoying cousins. Sitting this morning, between breaths my little mind envisioned myself at the bottom of a huge, unclimbable mountain with no time to get to the top…..and then managed to get back to the breath. And now I am at the OHP site at the start of a new day. Thanks.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      This makes me so happy to read. Don’t get discouraged, or, when you do, let discouragement be your practice for the day. It will teach you and guide you, odd as that sounds. And now you have sangha! (At least in part.) Best to you and all your (our) annoying little cousins– 🙂 S.

  • Posted by:  Stefanie

    Thank you, Susan, for sharing this very open and honest and encouraging annual report! I am with you on the self-doubt issue. It has a way of creeping up and sabotaging my life, and meditation and the dharma really help.
    It was also enlightening to read your experiences with shifting to the OHP Sangha. I am myself not a member of the sangha, but do enjoy the Monday emails. My reason for not becoming a full member is not the price, which I believe is very appropriate, but my difficulty with everything online and virtual. As long as I have access to a sangha (or sanghas) in my home community, I really like the face to face experience, and simply would not have the time for both. That being said, your teachings and insights are awesome, and it is great to have access to them from wherever I am in this world.
    Thank you for contributing to our practice!

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      I am so happy to practice with you in any and all cases! With love, Susan

  • Posted by:  David Brostrom

    Your 2014 Annual Report gets right to the heart of things. You are one Brave Lady!

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Thank you!

  • Posted by:  jane

    Halfway through reading, but felt compelled to write and say you are an awesome lady, so happy to be a part of all this. Hug

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Thank you, thank you! Hugging back, Susan

  • Posted by:  Kathy

    I am late reading this, but it was really worth it. You put heart and soul into this, and it shows. I’m in! I will be part of your 1,000 goal when I return home this week. Keep your spirit high…I really enjoy your work.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Kathy, thank you so much for these lovely words. I’m so happy we are practicing together!

  • Posted by:  Dory Kanter

    Thank you for this beautifully expressed OHP Annual Report – the first annual report I’ve ever read all the way through! It is helpful to hear the back story behind the OHP, especially as I notice lots of changes. Thank you for the transparency and honesty required to reveal your struggles and goals and successes in this way. It is a pleasure to be practicing together and a gift to be in your circle.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Thank you for these lovely words, Dory. I appreciate this all so much…

  • Posted by:  Rob Locke

    Hi Susan,

    I am very new to your work as I recently signed up for the Daily Dharma Gathering – now I know about The open Heart Project too!!

    Your Annual Report was really useful in helping me to get up to speed on what has been happening over the last couple of years or so.

    The discovery of the DDG and now OHP has been soooooo helpful as I have been practising alone for so long, not having anything else available to me where I live in the UK. It’s wonderful to be part of a community at last!

    Well done and thank you for everything you do and for enabling me to be part of something bigger than just ‘me’ (whatever that is!!)

    Rob

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Rob, so glad you’re connecting with the DDG and the OHP! It is such a pleasure to create community together. Not just me, Susan 😉

  • Posted by:  Mike

    Hi Susan,

    I just finished reading your 2014 OHP Annual Report. I am deeply touched by the depth of assessment and what I think I’d call loving presence – thank you for your transparency and mindful insight. It is a breath of fresh air and a beautiful model of the teaching you offer. I am encouraged as I see a mindful movement growing in our world and your 2014 OHP Annual Report is a testament to how we can do business and life.

    I began following the OHP a few years ago and at that time I had gone through the death of my mom and last living parent. Your teaching, helped me begin an ongoing meditation practice, thank you! As I’ve experienced the benefits of a different presence, I’ve found a new peace and joy, which is a blessing for somebody that struggles with depression. One of the benefits of this practice for me has been that I begin to see the real me and make friends with myself. Along with that, it seems that I am really seeing and experiencing people for the first time in my life – this has fostered a wonderful change in my marriage and family life.

    I’m interested in the virtual sangha and how that community can support and sustain the participants and teachers. I am assessing if it may be a right time for me to consider stepping in a little deeper… Your Report has nudged me that way – thank you!

    Namaste,
    Mike

  • Posted by:  Shirley Colley

    I am excited to learn about the plan & program

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