This post is a little different–it’s about me and how I became a meditator
January 29, 2024 | 15 CommentsAudio only version is here
Meditation begins at 19:38
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project,
Thank you so much for being a part of this amazing, beautiful meditation community. Together, we are building something very special–a meditation community based on dharma without dogma.
Over the years, some of you have expressed an interest in my personal journey: how I came to the path, what motivated me, and so on. Before this week’s sit, I share some of that story which involves accidents, coincidences, and, mostly, incredible good fortune. If you are interested, great! If you are not, great! Please jump ahead to the meditation at the 19:38 mark.
With love, Susan
PS My talk mentions this book and this extraordinary teacher.
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15 Comments
Thank you for your story, Susan. Mine began back in 1972 in Ottawa, Ontario when I had two very special experiences that completely altered my perception of who I was. First with friends, a realization that we are all one and truly love is the centre of that, and second, in a powerful dream that my body is just a vessel for the spiritual consciousness within.
My path has always been one of the householder as I continue to support family and friends, but the important stream through it all has been my practice with yoga, with reading ( I have old copies of Pema Chodrun’s books, Jack Cornfield’s Path With Heart❤️ and so many others.
I’ve taken to heart the Rumí quote about our lives being guest houses, and I continue to look outward to those people, books and experiences that lead me back inward.
And I have benefited greatly from your books and teaching and your love and generosity in welcoming me to the Ningma Lineage to continue working on myself and helping others.
Namaste,
Eroca (Ningjo Metok)
Lovely to read these reflections. Many thanks. <3 S
Hi Susan, I love your teachings because they are always based on what is happening in your life . I had stopped doing the meditation part with you because you tended to insert comments to help people stay with the practice.. and those tended to startle me out of my practice ! Any way I like that you have condensed you initial instructions and then are silient during meditation🌞. I know some people need greater support and you may have a video with more instructions that you could refer them to for the practice. Thanks for sharing your story this week. It reminded me to just accept. my life as it unfolds instead of wanting anything to be different.
So glad we are practicing together! <3 S
Thank you Susan,
You are a wonderful teacher.
The blue of the medicine Buddha is very similar to the Mary blue I think.
A deep cobalt ultramarine blue I think.
It is the blue that can come in the third eye centre.
An opera singer may have an aura of this colour when singing because the sound can heal.
I am in a train and your wisdom about it being about the journey and not your thoughts about the journey is a divine revelation
🙏 xx
Thank you, Jane. <3 S
❤️❤️ how ridiculously lucky we are to have you as a Teacher!! Excellent video reminder. Much love
I am the lucky one! So glad we can practice together. <3 s
This is a question. I am considering signing up for both the Sangha and the Buddhism in everyday life course. My hesitation is that I only have my phone, no laptop.
Keeping up with tech is a challenge.
Would it be possible with only a phone?
Lynne, thanks for being interested in these things. All should be fine with a phone. Other participants also join in this way, Please let me know if i can answer any other questions. <3 S
Thank You Susan for Sharing Your Insites, and Buddhist Teaching’s, Guided Meditations, But Esspically for taking a Leep by Sharing some of your Personal Experiences, A Great Highlite to the Open Heart Project! For Myself I was on a long and ardus Recovery Path. Struggling for years with “with the inner feeling that I was Missing Something, an Incompletness, Through nothing on my part I was Introduced to a Therapist Who Knew ! as sessions moved along She Started Moving Me Towards some Eastern Teachings, to listening to some Buddhist Talks by “Thay”. Then On To Reading some of his Works, Works of Jack Kornfield, Pema, and Longer Talks Together. During this time I was so Icredabley Fortunate to be able to Hear Thay Speak in Providence, From There I Knew How to Fill the Spiritual Void that was with me in my Recovery.With the aid of that Therapist I began studing buddhist Teachings,(the Darama), and I’m Still On That Path ! With People like You as Mentors, along With the Likes of Tara, Jack, and Others ! Always Kevin
We are truly fortunate! Wishing you all the blessings of the journey. <3 S
Thank you for being my teacher. Con mucho amor, Eileen XOXOXOXOX
Eileen, I am so very grateful that we are able to practice together and keep practicing together. Love always, S
The US military has a history of secret relationships with the foreign governments they are involved with (in various capacities) that are often not obvious and can be complicated.
What was very obvious to me during my assignment in Panama in the 80s as a military public affairs/journalist was environmental degradation caused by a US fast food chain running cattle through densely forested areas, leaving those forests eaten to ghostly nubs.
I also became aware through the rumor mill that the military was engaging in military actions in Central America that were technically against the law.
Adding to the mix, my personal life was also experiencing byzantine plot twists that would ultimately lead to a shattering emotional collapse and my leaving the military.
I have been blessed to have received some very nice healings by many talented Buddhists and non Buddhist healers along the way. But, like being hit by a Buick, some misfortunes leave lasting trauma.
Best,
Ddo
Other elements of life in Panama were less clear. The Shah of Iran was given refuge at a luxury resort off the coast shortly before this time. The coexistence of immense pioverty juxtaposed against world class luxury seemed unconscionable to my idealistic mind.