Susan Piver's Blog, page 17

7 Qualities of the Dharmic Person: Part 2

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 12:11.

Dear Open Heart Project,

Hello! I hope you are well.

This video is the second in this series, “The Seven Qualities of the Dharmic Person” (aka you). These qualities arise organically from our meditation practice.

The first quality, passionlessness, was discussed here. I include the link in case you missed it/are interested, but you don’t have to go back and watch if you’d rather not. You can jump in right here, with dharmic quality #2: contentment.

As I mention in the short talk that precedes our meditation practice, most of us are not on speaking terms with contentment. In fact, we are actively discouraged from it! Instead, we are continually urged to move faster, acquire more, go further…just keep moving. Why?! Of course we have ambitions and plans (I know I do) but what usually happens when we accomplish our ambitions or execute our plans is…they begin to feel valueless. If I can do it, it must not be that great, better keep pushing, trying, efforting, more, more, more. At least that’s what my inner voices say.

I’ve discovered that more I experiment with contentment—basic satisfaction with who I am and what I possess—the more energy and joy I have. Energy and  joy turn out to be far more efficacious in accomplishing things (not to mention a general sense of well-bing) than constantly shoving myself to assume a different, better, more impressive shape.

How does one accomplish such contentment? Have a listen! As always, I love to hear your responses.

Love, Susan

PS Look for the next video soon on dharmic quality #3, “fewer activities.”

The post 7 Qualities of the Dharmic Person: Part 2 appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

Buddhist Immersion and Meditation Teacher Training info session

Audio only here.

Thanks so much for joining me to talk about the Open Heart Project’s Buddhist Immersion & Meditation Teacher Training. In this info session, I shared the inspiration behind this program, what you will gain from it, and an overview of the curriculum, class-by-class. All the program details are here, including how to apply.

After the session was over, I was actually a little buzzed! I am very excited to open this conversation with you about foundational Buddhist teachings, how to deepen and stabilize your personal practice, and how to share it with others responsibly should you wish to do so. The main point I wanted to make was this is the real deal. The world needs more practitioners and teachers who approach meditation as a spiritual practice, not self-help or the latest life-hack. It would be an honor to go on this journey with you.

If you still have questions, I’m happy to talk with you by phone. I have scheduled 15-minute sessions on February 2nd, 6th, and 8th. I’d love to chat! If you’re interested in talking, please schedule a time here.

With love,
Susan

This document recaps all the information discussed in the info session.

 

The post Buddhist Immersion and Meditation Teacher Training info session appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

7 Qualities of a Meditator: Part 1

Audio-only version of talk is here and a udio-only version of meditation is here.

Dear Open Heart Project,

I hope you are well! I’m so delighted to offer you the first video in a series called: Seven Qualities of a Meditator.

As you may know (or will discover if you are new to meditation), a consistent practice not only helps manage things like stress and insomnia, it also results in spiritual qualities that may or may not be expected. These qualities have nothing to do with religion or beliefs, rather they create powerful and nuanced shifts in the way we approach our lives. Historically speaking, there are seven such shifts.

The first is called “passionless-ness” which doesn’t mean blasé-ness or lack of caring. Please have a listen to this short talk to learn more.

Each email in this series will contain a 10-minute guided practice as it is through sitting meditation that the seven dharmic qualities of the meditator really come to life.

Thoughts? Always love to hear from you!

Love, Susan

The post 7 Qualities of a Meditator: Part 1 appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

On the importance of lineage

Dear Open Heart Project,

Hello! I hope your week is off to a good start (or end, depending on when you see this). This week, instead of a video, I thought I’d share some thoughts on what can help keep our practice in the realm of sacred. This does not mean holy or precious. It means transformational. In my training, one of key instructions for keeping practice connected to something larger than ourselves is to connect, each time we practice, with lineage.

How does one identify their lineage in this time of increasing disconnection from the past, from each other, from religion?

Here is a place to begin: Your life is telling a story. Do you know what it is?

If you reflect, you could see that your life actually has a narrative arc. Themes keep repeating. On any ordinary day, story lines are continually rising, arcing, fading. Some are big and some are small. Although you can’t see it in the moment, looking back, you could see that a particular story is unfolding: the story of your life. The older I get, the less I try to direct this story and instead try to get out of its way so it can tell itself. To whom? To me. Why? I don’t know.

At middle age, I am pretty clear on some of my personal themes: Independence versus relationship. The search for a true home, always just out of reach. The longing to be seen, coupled with the longing for invisibility. The quest for insight (as opposed to, say, love or power). That’s just me. These have always been my issues. It’s not good, it’s not bad—but it is thematic. Where the story is heading, I have no idea.

What story is your life trying to tell you? What are your themes? How do they create or obscure your spiritual path? Who are your ancestors? Contemplating the sources of wisdom that guide you and speak to you—your lineages—can tell you something about the nature of your unique personal story.

There are beings or ideas to whom you feel connected, whether through blood, culture, or nature. These beings or ideas are your lineage. Who and what has taught you the most, whether with kindness or fury? Perhaps you count yourself as part of the lineage of Eastern European Jews or Chapatti makers of India. Maybe you see yourself as of the lineage of healthcare providers or pagans or devout atheists. On an inner level, you may identify as part of the lineage of mothers or fathers, lovers, poets, seekers, change agents, survivors of trauma, activists, gardeners, or of those who have no lineage. You belong somewhere. You belong to someone, even if it is to those who also belong nowhere.

At your times of greatest need, your lineage can rescue you—not from sadness or grief, but from loneliness. Someone has felt what you feel, has an interest in your story, longs for your freedom. I’m not saying this in any woo-woo way, like there are ghosts or angels all around trying to bless you. (I’m not saying there aren’t, either.) All I know is that when I have sought guidance and support for my deepest questions and concerns, these beings or ideas are always there for me. When I read certain words, contemplate certain lives, or join with others who share my lineage(s), I learn what I need to learn. I find comfort. I find the support I need to take my inquiries deeper. This is all I want.

In Buddhist thought, when you are part of a lineage it is said that you “hold” that lineage. This is beyond simple admiration and respect, but a recognition that you are part of a tribe. When you hold a lineage, you could find a refuge during your most confused moments. In your words and deeds, you could think that you represent more than yourself. In these ways, you are not alone.

It is all so incredibly intimate. The only one who has any idea of what your true lineages are and how to best represent them is you.

During my darkest moments, I blunder around in search of the embrace of lineage. Are you here? Are you here? I need you because I cannot see the sense of this life, of this world. Please let me see you or feel you, I say to those I have identified as my lineage holders, to my parents, grandmothers and grandfathers, to Rainer Maria Rilke and John Coltrane, to Marpa, Manjushri and Sarasvati.. Do you know me? I have no idea, not in the moment. But when I look back on the way my life has unfolded, I see only proof of their presence. Together, we are authoring a story and together, somehow, in some lifetime, we will conclude it by liberating it into pure space.

It has been said that prayer is when we ask things of the divine and meditation is where we glean the answers. We could view our meditation practice as both a very straightforward cultivation of mindfulness and awareness and as a chance to connect with lineage. If this sounds completely NOT interesting or useful, no problem. Ignore me. But if the notion of lineage holds appeal for you, you could try this: Before you begin your practice, take a moment to acknowledge the lineages of your heart. Think of the beings you most admire or have benefitted from, whether in person or in your thoughts. Name them to yourself. Ask them to bless you, whatever this may mean. Imagine them sitting with you, to your left and to your right. Feel that you practice together. At the end of your practice, thank them.

We are utterly alone in this world. And, at the same time, companions are everywhere. As you go about this day, tune in to those moments when you feel accompanied as well as to those moments when you might accompany another, whether by word, deed, or a simple shared glance. Some shared moments are between you and another person, but sometimes they arise between you and yourself (when you suddenly “get” something), or you and the world (when you are touched by its beauty or sorrow). When you look, you see that companionship is everywhere. For this, in part, we can thank our lineages.

What/who are your lineages? I’d love to know.

With love, Susan

In other news!

Buddhist Immersion and Meditation Teacher Training: Registration is now open

Registration is open for a brand new program, Buddhist Immersion and Meditation Teacher Training. Truly, I am more excited to teach this than anything I can imagine. It is a chance for us to look more carefully at foundational Buddhist principles (such as the Eightfold Path, the Six Paramitas, and more) and explore what I think is the most transformative path of all: the teaching path. Whether you go on to teach or not, learning to teach teaches the teacher in a whole new way! And, oh yeah! We’ll also study the enneagram! And there will be a full day retreat! It’s gonna be a party, y’all. A deep and real party.

The program is 15 weeks long and begins on March 18.

If you’d like to discuss it further, there are two ways to do so. You can register for a free info session on January 31 and/or schedule a phone call with me. This program asks a lot of you (and me) and I want to make sure it is a good fit. All the details are here.

The post On the importance of lineage appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

About my Daily Ritual

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 7:46.

Dear Open Heart Project,

I try to meditate every day. But because I am a human being, it does not always work out. When I am unable (or unwilling! human being!) to practice, I notice a distinct difference in the way my day rolls out. It feels bumpier, less integrated, heavier. There is something about routine, ritual, consistency that invites magic. What is this magic? Where does it come from? Please have a listen to hear more. And if you have a daily ritual that supports you, I’d love to know what it is. Please let me know in the comments.

As always, I invite you to join the Open Heart Project sangha to connect more closely with me and other practitioners and find countless resources to support you on your journey. There is more info here. It would be great to see you there!

May all the magic in the world be at your fingertips.

With love, Susan

PS This topic is on my mind because I’ve been working on a series called “Invoking Magic: The Power of Daily Ritual.” Please look for it in about a month.

The post About my Daily Ritual appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

1-9-23

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 11:00.

Dear Open Heart Project,

Hello and welcome to a new year. It is a delight to practice meditation with you. Before today’s 10-minute sit, I share some thoughts about what we are really doing when we practice meditation. Spoiler alert: It’s not about self-improvement! Or fixing anything! It’s way better than that.

At the end of the video, I invite you to join the Open Heart Project sangha to connect more closely with me and other practitioners and find countless resources to support you on your journey. There is more info here. It would be great to see you there.

Wishing you peace in the new year and always.

Love, Susan

The post 1-9-23 appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

The Open Heart Project in 2022

And where we’re headed in 2023.

Hello and happy, happy new year. It’s become my habit to write an annual report for the Open Heart Project sangha. I share some of the things I’ve been thinking about, recap all the programs, gatherings, and retreats we did in 2022 and  give details about what we’ll be doing together in 2023.

If you’re a sangha member, please enjoy! We’re building something amazing together. If you’re not yet a sangha member, please have a look if you’re interested in learning more about what goes on around here.

Wishing you all the blessings of the journey in 2023 and always.

With love, Susan

The post The Open Heart Project in 2022 appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

With gratitude for you and our practice together…

Dear Open Heart Project,

Instead of a meditation video, I thought I’d send you a note to wish you a happy, healthy, joyful new year. I hope you will experience all the blessings of your path in 2023 and always.

At this time of year, it is tempting (and understandable) to think about what we want to create, build, change, and who we want to become. At least these are the things I think about during this liminal space between years. Must work harder! Must do better! And so on and so forth.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with these admonitions particularly, but rather then inspiring me, they often exhaust me. There is just so far to go, I think to myself.

At such moments, it enriches me immeasurably to think of the words of the great scholar, sage, and master, Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, with whom I have had the incredible good fortune to discuss my own practice from time to time. In one such conversation I was despairing of ever progressing along the path. I was (and remain) a very bumbling practitioner. When will I ever “get it”? I wondered. His response:

“Don’t think about how far you have to go. Think about how far you have come.”

The moment I heard these words, I relaxed. I realized that I had come a long way. I saw that my progress was marked, not by great flashes of realization or experiences of bliss (whatever that is), but of countless tiny moments where I let my preconceived notions go, managed to avoid being hooked by usual triggers, took a chance on expressing my real feelings, discovered patience for people and situations that I’d rather ignore, found ways to avoid losing my temper (on good days), and to soften toward, well, everyone (on really good days)–especially myself. Most of all–and I think this is a potent marker of progress–I had become more real, true to myself, willing to turn towards my actual experiences, which include love, joy, kindness–sure–but also irritation, rage, jealousy, dullness, and endless awkwardness. Also, my sense of humor improved. (No small thing, that!!) I found that I could make space for Susan Piver to be…Susan Piver.

I wish this for you, that your practice will turn you, not into some kind of saint, but into some kind of EXACTLY WHO YOU ALREADY ARE. Another way of saying this is: I hope that the voice of your inner teacher grows stronger with every breath.

As we enter this new year, perhaps you could spend some time reflecting on how far you have come, on what you have discovered about your inherent kindness, brilliance, and bravery. I would love to hear what you discover.

Love always, Susan

PS Also: please consider becoming a member of the Open Heart Project sangha as it gives us the opportunity to practice together more closely

 

Love, Susan

The post With gratitude for you and our practice together… appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

How to Stay Grounded in a Time of Transition (Step Eight)

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 19:47.

Dear Open Heart Project,

Hello, I hope you are well and finding some more space and calm in your life.

Today, I share some thoughts on the 8th step on the noble eightfold path, Right Concentration. I find this has much more to do with flow than anything else. Please have a listen and let me know what you think.

In this series, we have discussed Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort and Right Mindfulness. We have arrived at step eight, Right Concentration. If you’d like to visit all the steps together to review, you can find them here.

I’ve so enjoyed connecting with you on these wonderful topics and look forward to continuing.

Love, Susan

The post How to Stay Grounded in a Time of Transition (Step Eight) appeared first on The Open Heart Project.

How to Stay Grounded in a Time of Transition (Step Seven)

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 8:05.

Dear Open Heart Project,

Welcome to the 7th video in our 8 video series! In this series, we have already discussed Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort. This week, I offer some insights into step seven, Right Mindfulness.

I have so enjoyed being in this exploration with you. I hope you have found it beneficial.

I’d love to hear how this all landed with you. Please feel free to leave thoughts, feedback, ideas, insights in chat. It would be most appreciated.

Love, Susan

The post How to Stay Grounded in a Time of Transition (Step Seven) appeared first on The Open Heart Project.