Explore every episode of the podcast Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Guided 10-Minute Meditation Practice (plus music) | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:27:43 | |
In this episode, I offer a guided meditation and explore what it really means to not be trying—not striving to get somewhere, even in practice. Rather than exerting effort or resisting, meditation invites us to let go again and again and rest in a state of receptivity. We look at how love, insight, and creativity are not things we can get, but things we receive, and how meditation teaches us to rest in that open space. I also clarify common misconceptions about meditation—especially the idea that we must stop thinking—and instead suggest developing awareness of thought rather than control over it. We end with a reflection on attention, presence, and the natural rhythm of the breath, followed by a story about one of my favorite songs, “Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band, and the beauty of two voices joining in spontaneous harmony. Highlights:
Closing reflection: “Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity, Part Six: True Wisdom | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:42:30 | |
In this episode, I explore the sixth and final pāramitā—prajna, or wisdom—the one beyond words and concepts. True wisdom isn’t about knowledge but about recognizing the interdependence of all things and walking the Middle Way between eternalism (“something lasts forever”) and nihilism (“nothing matters”). We revisit the first five pāramitās—generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, and meditative absorption—and see how they lead us to the spacious awareness that meditation reveals. Mindfulness is only half the path; the other half, awareness, brings love, creativity, and compassion. We also look at the three forms of wisdom—worldly, beyond worldliness, and beyond even dharma—and the essence of the Heart Sutra: “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” I close with a piece of music I love, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman’s “My One and Only Love,” a perfect expression of what I call undone and refined. Highlights:
Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity Part Two: Discipline | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:22:56 | |
This week we continue our exploration of the Six Paramitas (or Transcendent Actions)—the Buddhist teachings on how to go beyond suffering and confusion into wakefulness, compassion, and liberation. I talked about the first paramita, Generosity, in a previous episode. Now we look at the second: Discipline. This isn’t the harsh, rigid discipline of making yourself do things you don’t want to do. Here, discipline is a joyful, courageous return to presence—a practice of continuously coming back to your intentions, your inner world, your experience, and your humanity. Highlights:
“Discipline is synonymous with joy. Not yippy joy—but the joy of not hiding from your life.” If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Seven Sources of True Wealth | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:17:30 | |
In this episode, I explore a little-known yet profoundly practical Buddhist teaching: The Seven Riches of the Universal Monarch. I warmly invite you to look beyond the modern view of mindfulness as merely a stress-relief tool; rather, consider your practice as a transformative lens on how to live fully, wisely, and with meaning. Drawing from classical Buddhist teachings, my own seminary training, and over 30 years of personal practice, I share how these "seven riches" can serve as guiding principles for cultivating intimacy, purpose, vitality, and inner wisdom in daily life. I even share a story about lying on a couch mid-conversation and realizing my ideal form of social interaction. Highlights:
The Wheel – Integration of all six riches into a cohesive, supportive whole. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity, Part One: Generosity (the Virtue that Produces Peace) | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:20:45 | |
This episode starts off a new series on the Six Paramitas (Transcendent Actions). Focusing on the first paramita: generosity, I share how this quality—often misunderstood as mere niceness or material giving—is actually the foundation for waking up, finding sanity, and increasing the sanity of this world. I talk about three forms of generosity:
Highlights:
As always, don’t take my word for any of this—reflect on these teachings yourself, and see what arises. This is a rich and grounding episode for anyone interested in living more deeply, whether or not you identify as Buddhist. Next week, I’ll share about the second paramita, discipline (Shila), or how to stay intentional without becoming rigid. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Choosing the Buddhist Path: How and Why | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:27:24 | |
In this new episode, I explore what it actually means to become a Buddhist through the Refuge Vow. Potentially misunderstood as a formality or an unnecessary label, I discuss the spiritual and practical significance of the vow. Refuge is taken in the Three Jewels—Buddha (awakening), Dharma (wisdom/path), and Sangha (community). What do they mean? I also share about my own journey in taking the vow in 1993, how I was trained and given permission to offer the vow myself, and the internal changes that often follow taking the vow. Taking refuge isn't about labeling yourself—it's about recognizing a path you're already on. Highlights:
“The best time to take the Refuge Vow is when it simply feels like a recognition of something that has already happened.” Resources & Links:
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The 7 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Meditation | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:23:06 | |
In today’s episode, I take a deep dive into the meditation questions I’ve been asked the most over the past three decades—as a student, as a teacher, and now, as someone who teaches others to teach. We talk about the real stuff. The messy, wonderful, confusing, luminous questions that arise when you sit down on your cushion and meet your own mind.
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to the Dharma | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:23:23 | |
In this episode, I explore a classical teaching throughout the Buddhist world, The Four Reminders, also known as the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to the Dharma. When I first heard them, I thought how can I forget what I just heard?! Turns out, I can’t. Warning: once you hear them, you can’t unhear them either. They are at once brutal and deeply compassionate. Much like life itself. Highlights:
With personal stories and my best insights, I hope to share how remembering these truths can shift your priorities and bring you back to what matters most. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Egolessness, Self-Kindness & the Buddhist Enneagram | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:27:31 | |
In this episode, I explore the tension between spiritual teachings on egolessness and the deeply personal need for self-understanding. I talk about how meditation reveals both the illusion of self and the reality of who we are. I also share how the Enneagram—a system of personality types—has been an invaluable tool for fostering compassion and clarity in myself and my relationships. Highlights: 1. The Problem with Egolessness
2. Meditation as Friendship with Self
3. The Enneagram as a Spiritual Tool
4. Three Enneagram Frameworks to Understand Yourself and Others
Understanding your own wiring—how you think, feel, relate, and react—is not a detour from spiritual growth, but part of its foundation. Tools like the Enneagram, when combined with meditation, become powerful aids in cultivating compassion for yourself and others. True spiritual insight begins with self-acceptance. For more on the enneagram from a Buddhist perspective, check out my book, The Buddhist Enneagram: Nine Paths to Warriorship. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Five Suggestions for Primordial Confidence | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:26:35 | |
In this very, very crazy world, it’s easy to feel powerless. But from my decades of Buddhist practice, I've learned that it’s not just an inside job– you can actually arrange your outer world to give you strength. 1. Clean Up Your Space I know this sounds like a scold but it isn’t. When you walk into chaos, you feel chaotic. When you walk into a space that's been tended to—not perfect, just cared for—you feel elegant. Your care then perfumes the environment. 2. Wear Nice Clothes Not fancy or expensive—just clean clothes that you actually like. When you pick something off the floor (and we all do this sometimes), you're already starting your day feeling a little defeated. But when you choose something you love—the color, the fabric, how it makes you feel—you're clothing yourself with respect. 3. Eat Good Food This isn't about being vegan or gluten-free or whatever diet advice everyone's shouting about. It's about getting the best quality you can afford and eating it with kindness toward yourself. If you want smoothies, get good ingredients. If you want a cocktail, make it carefully. Appreciate the details that go into preparation and clean-up. Most important, as best you can, relax aggression (from self or others) about food. 4. Spend Time with People Who See You Clearly We all have people who make us feel small—your boss, that difficult sibling, the friend you don't know how to break up with. Minimize time spent with such people, as you are able to do so. Maximize time with people who, when you look at yourself through their eyes, you see someone lovely and smart and kind. That's very empowering. 5. Connect with the Natural World When I swim at Barton Springs here in Austin, even in the midst of Texas political insanity, I remember that there's a power at work that has its own logic, that doesn't care what I think. Being part of something larger—even feeling small in it—is actually delightful. Friends, these aren't just good habits. They're ways to create a world that holds you, that gives you strength instead of requiring you to manufacture it from scratch every single day. And right now, when everything feels shaken, that might be exactly what we need. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Problem with Egolessness | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:28:41 | |
In this episode, I take a deep dive into a topic that a lot of people (myself included) find confusing; what does it mean to be egoless? Drawing from my 30+ years of experience, I share my own issues with the call to transcend ego within the Western cultural backdrop of individualism, shame, and self-judgment. Key Points: "Ego as the enemy" can reinforce cultural self-shaming: Broadly speaking, we are wired to monitor, scrutinize and “fix” our flaws and mitigate our failings. This kind of self-focus in our culture makes it easy to see so-called ego as a problem to solve and our very own self as an obstacle on the journey. Relating to our wounds and pursuing spiritual insight are not mutually exclusive: Both are essential and can coexist. Meditation fosters receptivity, not self-improvement: Rather than fall into the trap of using meditation to solve your problems, allow your practice to make the space for the wisdom that’s already a part of you. It will arise naturally. Egolessness is about openness, not self-denial: Genuine egolessness is not about prioritizing everyone else and abandoning yourself entirely. Our practice of letting go, being present; this is more helpful when it comes to realizing egolessness. It’s not about forcing yourself out; rather, it’s about being with what is (you are a part of what is) and receiving the love, wisdom, and insight that reveal rather than force egolessness. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Four Noble Truths of Love | 23 May 2025 | 00:19:07 | |
In this episode, I share my personal adaptation of Buddhist principles for relationships, "The Four Noble Truths of Love." Drawing from my own 26-year marriage and moments of deep disconnection, I talk about how Buddhist wisdom helped me navigate challenges. Key Points include: Love Affairs vs. Relationships: There is a fundamental difference between love affairs (characterized by romance, intensity, desire, and perhaps some drama) and relationships (characterized by intimacy, closeness, deep knowing, and sometimes irritation). The Buddha’s Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths of Love (made up by me)
For more on this topic, check out my book, The Four Noble Truths of Love NOTE: We'll be taking a two-week break. The Buddhism Beyond Belief Podcast will return with a new episode on June 13. Mwah! If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Meditation is for Mystics (it’s not a life hack) | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:39:00 | |
In this episode, I talk about something that’s been making me a little grumpy: how meditation is often reduced to stress relief. While that’s a real benefit, it misses the deeper purpose — waking up to reality itself in order to be of benefit to others. Meditation isn’t a self-improvement plan. It’s a path of presence — one that begins with self-awareness but is meant to open outward, toward others and the world. When practice stops at “me,” it can harden into self-absorption. When we remember its spiritual heart, it becomes a way to connect — energetically, compassionately, courageously. This has nothing to do with religion. To see meditation as a spiritual practice, it helps to examine (to a very small degree) the nature of mind itself. After all, mind is what we work with during practice and this is different than mere thought. I also share how the enneagram offers a roadmap for seeing ourselves and others more clearly. We explore:
These perspectives remind us that our differences are not barriers but gateways to understanding and that the point of practice is to blend with animate energies rather than wall ourselves off from them. And finally, I share a bit of music. I talk about Peter Green, the brilliant early member of Fleetwood Mac, whose songs “Tribal Dance” and “Albatross” embody the powerful qualities of spaciousness, warmth, and directness. His playing reminds me that true artistry, like true practice, is about attunement rather than control. Highlights:
Mentioned:
Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Buddhist Cosmology: The Six Realms of Being | 16 May 2025 | 00:17:56 | |
Which one are you in right now? In this episode, I explore the six realms of Buddhist cosmology which can be understood as both literal places of rebirth and psychological states we all experience. I also mention how this might help us contextualize the chaos and cruelty of our current political situation in the US. The realms include: The God Realm - A place of complete abundance where beings have everything they desire but no motivation to seek enlightenment The Jealous God/Asura Realm - Beings with power and resources consumed by covetousness and aggression, always fighting for more. And more. (Sound familiar?) The Human Realm - The most fortunate realm with the right balance of suffering and ease for spiritual development. Yay us! The Hungry Ghost Realm - Represents insatiable desires and cravings that can never be fulfilled The Animal Realm - Characterized by basic survival needs and limited spiritual capacity, yet capable of love and connection The Hell Realm - A place of constant suffering with no relief, glimpsed through our experiences of heartbreak and witnessing suffering Resources Mentioned:
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Meditation, Rage, and Other Strong Emotions | 09 May 2025 | 00:12:16 | |
Why do we turn to meditation when things fall apart—and what are we really supposed to do with all these overwhelming emotions? In this short episode, we explore three powerful ways to relate to difficult feelings like anger, fear, and anxiety: as afflictive; as bridges to compassion; and as hidden forms of wisdom. All three ways are accurate, though usually only the first is described in Buddhist writings. In this episode, you’ll hear about how to work skillfully with emotional intensity, not necessarily by escaping it, but by uncovering the fierce clarity and deep humanity that may lie beneath. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Why You’re Not Meditating Consistently (and What to Do About It) | 02 May 2025 | 00:28:11 | |
In this episode, Susan reflects on one of the most common meditation struggles: staying consistent. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I just do the thing I know is good for me?”—this episode is for you. The surprising truth? It’s not a discipline problem. It’s a misunderstanding of what meditation really is.
The Real Reason Consistency is Hard
Three Spiritual Anchors for a Deeper Practice
These are the classic Buddhist “refuges,” and they’re also the structure we need to stay steady:
Final Takeaway: Consistency doesn’t come from willpower—it comes from aligning with meaning. When meditation is treated as a way to open your heart rather than a way to “fix” yourself, a deeper magic is glimpsed. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| True Compassion or Idiot Compassion? | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:20:27 | |
In Buddhism (as in most wisdom traditions), compassion is central—but it’s often misunderstood. It’s not about being nice, it’s about being awake. True compassion is wise, fierce, and rooted in awareness. “Idiot compassion” is a term coined by Chögyam Trungpa to describe misguided kindness that stems from the three poisons:
True compassion requires discernment, not people-pleasing. It might mean being sweet, but it could also mean getting angry or saying nothing. The only way to know is by paying attention. In activism, the same principle applies: if our actions come from hate, they’ll echo hate. If they come from a broken heart longing to ease suffering, different gates will open. There are two kinds of compassion to consider:
The spiritual path is just as much about courage as it is about kindness. It asks us to meet suffering not with spiritual bypassing, but with a heart shattered open and ready to serve. Not all compassion is created equal. In Buddhism, compassion isn’t about being nice. It’s about being awake. Sometimes it’s soft. Sometimes it’s fierce. But it’s never about avoiding discomfort. Chögyam Trungpa called it “idiot compassion” when our desire to help is rooted in: • Craving (to be liked) • Aggression (to control or avoid conflict) • Delusion (pretending everything’s fine) Real compassion comes from clarity. It doesn’t always look “spiritual.” Sometimes it sets boundaries. Sometimes it says no. And when rooted in heartbreak for the suffering of the world, it becomes powerful. Let’s remember that true love can also be fierce. 🔥 #compassion #buddhism #idiotcompassion #fiercelove #spiritualpath #openheart #wakeup #chogyamtrungpa #realcompassion #awareness If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Who Can You Trust in the Spiritual World? | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:25:32 | |
Trusting a spiritual teacher is one of the most important—and complex—decisions on the path. This talk explores three personal experiences: one with a brilliant but inscrutable and controversial teacher, another with a teacher whose misconduct led to a break, and a third with a humble, quietly extraordinary master who became the true source of guidance. The central lesson? Let your practice—not personality—be the guide. Ask yourself:
Stay alert to these red flags: charisma, drama, and self-centered authority. Be patient. Trust your intuition. Protect your mind. In the end, the Dharma must be passed on with integrity, clarity, and humility—without replicating harmful hierarchies or watering it down into self-help. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Inexplicable Joy: Emptiness, Compassion, and the Heart Sutra, Part 2 | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:25:02 | |
In the previous episode, we discuss a teaching that is central throughout the Buddhist world: the Prajnaparamita sutra, also known as The Heart Sutra. While being utterly confounding, at the same time it is a perfect primer on the true meaning of emptiness and ultimate compassion. Turns out, these are the same thing. Who knew?! If you missed it, just go back one episode. In this episode, we go through the Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge line by line and look at the various terms (skandha? dhatu?) as well as the main characters (Avalokiteshvara and Sariputra). There are many translations of this important teaching. The one discussed in this episode is here. To learn more, check out Susan’s new (very short) book, Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra Discussed in this episode: Introduction to the Heart Sutra The Heart Sutra is the “pith” or essence of transcendent wisdom. Begins with “Thus have I heard,” inviting personal inquiry and interpretation. Narrated by Ananda (known for memory) The Setting The Buddha is in deep meditative absorption (samadhi) surrounded by a full assembly: Monks (wisdom, foundational teachings) Bodhisattvas (compassion, Mahayana teachings) The Core Teaching: Emptiness Avalokiteshvara realizes the five skandhas (form, feeling, perception, formation, consciousness) are empty of inherent nature. Famous line begins: “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” Radical Negation Even foundational teachings like the Four Noble Truths are negated: No suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path. Even wisdom and attainment are negated—nothing to gain or strive for. The Power of Emptiness Realizing emptiness removes mental obscurations and eradicates fear. This leads to full awakening—just like all Buddhas of the past, present, and future The Heart Sutra Mantra The mantra: Om gate gate pÄragate pÄrasaṃgate bodhi svÄhÄ (Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, awakening, so be it.) Described as the mantra that calms all suffering and is to be known as truth. Cosmological Context Gods, jealous gods (asuras), humans, and celestial beings (gandharvas) all rejoice. The human realm is ideal for practice: enough comfort to contemplate, enough suffering to be motivated. Personal Reflection Susan has chanted the Heart Sutra daily for over 30 years. While her understanding doesn’t always deepen, her love for the sutra does. Encourages others to form their own love affair with the text If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Inexplicable Joy: Emptiness, Compassion, and the Heart Sutra, Part 1 | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:23:08 | |
In this episode, we discuss a teaching that is central throughout the Buddhist world: the Prajnaparamita sutra, also known as The Heart Sutra. While being utterly confounding, at the same time it is a perfect primer on the true meaning of emptiness and ultimate compassion. Turns out, these are the same thing. Who knew?! There are many translations of this important teaching. The one discussed in this episode is here. In part one of this two-part episode, Susan talks a bit about the history of the text, what we can learn from it, and how best to approach a teaching that is both supremely powerful and impossible to understand. Good luck! Come back next week for part two where we break it down, line-by-line. To learn more, check out Susan’s new (very short) book, Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra Discussed in this episode: Emptiness & No-Self
Compassion Arising from Emptiness
Three Ways the Meaning Comes Through
How to Approach the Heart Sutra
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way: Foundations of the Journey | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:18:56 | |
The Buddha’s Early Life & Awakening Siddhartha was a protected prince, shielded from suffering by his father. He encountered old age, sickness, and death for the first time during a trip outside the palace. This led him to renounce his privileged life and seek liberation from suffering. He meditated under the Bodhi tree, seeking truth beyond suffering. Achieved enlightenment, saw through the nature of suffering, and articulated the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths (Overview):
Three Types of Suffering:
The Middle Way: Buddhism embraces neither eternalism (belief in eternal divine reward/punishment) nor nihilism (belief in nothing beyond material existence). The Middle Way is not the mid-point between the two. What is it? Direct Experience Over Belief: Don’t take the Buddha’s word for it — verify teachings through your own lived experience. Belief systems, even Buddhist ones, are seen as potential obstacles. Wisdom comes from mixing teachings with direct experience, not from intellectualization. Final Reflection: The true spiritual path is one’s own journey of discovery. All teachings are tools; the real teacher is your own mind, inseparable from wisdom itself. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Broken Hearted Meditator | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:14:14 | |
Perhaps contrary to popular belief, meditation does not make us feel all zen. Rather, it actually makes us feel more deeply. Discussed in this episode: Meditation Heightens Emotions – It doesn’t numb feelings but makes them more vivid. Trauma-Sensitivity is Important – Meditation can help with grief and sorrow but may amplify trauma. The practice should be handled with great care. Options for Working with Strong Emotions in Meditation: Stop meditating if it’s overwhelming. Label emotions as “thinking” and return to the breath. Focus on the physical sensation of the emotion without engaging in its story. Feelings vs. Thoughts – Emotions are real, but the stories we tell about them create suffering. “Feel the feeling, drop the story.” –Pema Chodron Personal Stories: A heartbreak revealed that suffering was increased by the thoughts added to the reality of loss. The loss (a breakup) was not optional, but the additional thoughts were. A career setback and a chance encounter with an experienced meditator taught that meditation isn’t about avoiding emotions but facing them. Meditation’s Impact – It is rare that anything happens while meditating. It’s actually pretty hard and boring. However! Progress shows up “off the cushion” as increased wisdom, compassion, and resilience. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| On Road Rage and Compassion | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:09:30 | |
In this (embarrassing) episode, long-time Buddhist practitioner Susan Piver describes an episode of road rage (her own) and the moment her rage turned into compassion. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with remembering Buddhist principles and everything to do with simply being human. Discussed in this episode: What are the Four Immeasurables? Loving-kindness – Recognizing our shared humanity. Compassion – Feeling others’ sorrow as our own. Sympathetic Joy – Sharing in others’ happiness. Equanimity – Maintaining balance amidst emotional ups and downs. How Meditation Cultivates Compassion Why is meditation so famously associated with compassion? How does sitting there, “doing nothing,” open your heart? Instead of numbing emotions, meditation deepens our ability to feel. It helps us break habitual emotional reactions and respond with awareness. Compassion is Organic It is not something we can turn on or off—it is our natural state. On Road Rage and Compassion Susan describes losing her temper in traffic but experiencing an instant shift in a split second when she began to confront the other driver. Compassion is not about excusing bad behavior but about recognizing shared humanity. True compassion arises when we see others not as obstacles, but as people. This reflection highlights how meditation is not passive but an active practice that transforms how we relate to the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Buddhism and the Enneagram (with a musical aside) | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:27:20 | |
In this episode, I share why I wrote The Buddhist Enneagram and how two life-changing systems—the Buddha Dharma and the Enneagram—can support your journey toward wisdom, compassion, and self-understanding. Contrary to common views of Buddhism as merely stress relief, I explore its deeper invitation: to live more fully, to wake up, and to meet life with an open heart. The Enneagram, in turn, becomes a powerful upaya—a skillful means—for making compassion real. In this episode, I talk about:
Plus: Have a question for me? Send a voice message via DM on Instagram (@susanpiver)—I’d love to hear from you. *Please note: Your recording might be included in a future podcast episode and answered on the show.
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| How to Meditate (and Avoid the Biggest Misconceptions) | 07 Mar 2025 | 00:29:55 | |
This episode provides a deep and practical exploration of meditation, defines meditation as something more than mindfulness, it also includes awareness. Common misconceptions are enumerated. The key takeaway is that meditation is not about achieving a specific state but about learning to be with yourself as you are, with openness and curiosity. Includes a 10-minute guided meditation. Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness Many wisdom traditions emphasize examining one’s own mind as the start of a spiritual journey. In the Buddhist tradition, this is done through meditation or mindfulness practice. What is meditation? It involves choosing an object of attention (e.g., breath, an image, or a mantra) to focus on instead of thoughts. Mindfulness and Awareness Meditation is often described as “mindfulness meditation,” but a more accurate term is mindfulness-awareness meditation. Mindfulness is something that can be actively worked on and developed. Awareness, on the other hand, expands naturally when space is created by allowing thoughts to settle. Misconceptions About Meditation Misconception #1: Meditation Requires Stopping Thoughts Impossible and unnecessary. Meditation is not about shutting thoughts off but about changing the relationship with them. Misconception #2: Meditation is a form of Self-Help While it may help in many ways, meditation is not about self-improvement—it’s a path of transformation and liberation. It allows one to see beyond the conventional mind rather than just becoming a better version of oneself. Misconception #3: Meditation Will Make You Peaceful It softens inner defenses, allowing for greater emotional depth and authenticity. Instead of bringing peace, it makes one more genuine and vulnerable. Meditation Instruction & Practice (10 minutes) If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| On Meditation: An Uncommon View | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:24:04 | |
Meditation is most often described as a self-help technique that will support you to improve performance, reduce stress, manage pain, and sleep better. All of this is true. Thank you, science! However, as first transmitted by the Buddha, the practice was not described in any such terms. Rather, it was offered as a way to wake up from suffering, realize true wisdom, extend compassion, and live with bravery. We in the West can still expect such outcomes without relying in any way on cultural appropriation or religious beliefs. Beginning with the right view, meditation as a spiritual practice can introduce you to your natural brilliance that lies just beyond conventional thought. Discussed in this episode: Meditation as Self-Inquiry: Across wisdom traditions, investigating the true nature of mind is encouraged. In Buddhism, this investigation is called meditation. Shift in Meditation’s Popularity: Initially, meditation was seen as a fringe or cult-like activity, but it has now become mainstream, valued for its mental and physical health benefits. However, many of its deeper spiritual aspects have been overshadowed by a Western emphasis on productivity and well-being. Three Yanas (Vehicles) of Buddhism and Three Views of Meditation:
Meditation’s Transformational Potential: Instead of approaching meditation with fixed expectations (e.g., better sleep, reduced stress)—we could allow the practice to reveal deeper insights that lie just beyond conventional thought. Buddhism Beyond Belief invites listeners to investigate meditation for themselves and not take anyone’s words at face value (including the podcaster’s), and encourages personal exploration. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Teaser: Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:01:39 | |
Buddhism Beyond Belief is a podcast from Susan Piver, a 30 year student of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Open Heart Project, an online meditation community with close to 20000 members. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Antidote to Anxiety: A Buddhist View (With Drugs) | 10 Oct 2025 | 00:22:18 | |
In this episode, I share something very personal and deeply resonant for the times we’re living in: how we vacillate between hope and fear, and how the Buddhist path invites us to wake up beyond either one. Also, drugs. Just gotta say that right up front. We often think of mindfulness or meditation practice as a way to feel better, to reduce stress or calm down—and while those benefits are real and important, this path is so much more. It’s about learning how to live fully awake, moment to moment, even in a world that feels increasingly chaotic, confusing, and difficult to make sense of. I talk about:
Highlights:
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| How to Choose a Meditation Teacher | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:15:24 | |
Thinking about working with a meditation teacher? It’s a powerful step—but how do you choose the right one? In this episode, I offer a framework based on the three Yanas (vehicles) of Buddhist practice. Each path reflects a different view of meditation—and can help you clarify the kind of guidance you need.
1. Hinayana – The Foundational Path
2. Mahayana – The Compassionate Path
3. Vajrayana – The Transformational Path
Vajrayana is my home. I teach meditation not to calm down, but to wake up—to all of it: beauty, difficulty, uncertainty, and joy. If you’re looking for a teacher, ask yourself:
Clarity about your needs will help you find the right guide. A previous episode of this podcast (about the Four Noble Truths) was mentioned. You can listen to Episode 13 here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity, Part Five: Meditative Absorption | 19 Sep 2025 | 00:19:18 | |
In this episode, I explore the fifth of the six paramitas, or transcendent actions of the bodhisattva path: Meditative Absorption—sometimes just called meditation. But this isn’t your typical “sit on the cushion and follow your breath” kind of conversation. We go deeper into what it means to live meditation—to carry the practice off the cushion and into our everyday experience. Highlights from this episode:
Off the cushion, meditative absorption means being fully present in our lives, moment to moment—absorbed in experience rather than just our thoughts about it.
As always, you don’t have to be a Buddhist to find value in these teachings. The dharma is vast, pragmatic, and endlessly nuanced. I share what I’ve learned through 30+ years of practice, not because I have the answers—but because these teachings continue to challenge and change me. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| A Rebroadcast of Our First Episode – “On Meditation: An Uncommon View” | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:24:04 | |
I'm away this week, so we're revisiting the very first episode of the podcast. Originally titled “On Meditation: An Uncommon View,” it now becomes episode 25. Meditation is often framed as a self-help tool—to reduce stress, manage pain, improve sleep, or boost performance. And yes, science supports all of that. But the original intention, as taught by the Buddha, was something much deeper: a path to wake up from suffering, discover wisdom, cultivate compassion, and live with courage. This episode explores meditation as a spiritual practice—a way to move beyond conventional thinking and connect with your natural clarity, without relying on religious belief or cultural appropriation. Topics discussed:
Instead of approaching meditation only for outcomes like stress relief, what happens if we let it reveal something deeper? As always, Buddhism Beyond Belief invites you to explore for yourself—don’t take my word for it. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity, Part Four: Exertion | 05 Sep 2025 | 00:26:32 | |
In this episode, I dive into the fourth of the six paramitas, or transcendent actions, from the classical Buddhist teachings: exertion. If you’ve been following along with our exploration of the first three—generosity, discipline, and patience—you’ll know these aren’t lofty ideals but practical ways to bring dharma off the cushion and into real life. Here, we go deep into what exertion really means. Spoiler: it’s not about trying harder. I talk about what makes exertion so powerful, what gets in its way, and how to reconnect with your own life force—especially when you feel disheartened or overwhelmed. This episode is personal, honest, and yes, maybe a little long. But I hope it offers something of use to you as we navigate life with as much wisdom, courage, and compassion as we can muster. Highlights:
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Transcending Insanity, Part Three: Patience | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:18:01 | |
In this episode, I move on in our exploration of the Six Paramitas (“transcendent actions”) to the third paramita: patience. There is a common misconception that patience means tolerating bad behavior or remaining silent in the face of harm. Instead, patience is a profound and active spiritual practice that can help us transcend aggression and stay present with reality as it unfolds. Drawing on classical Buddhist teachings and a personal story about losing my temper in traffic, I talk about how we can remain connected to our own and others’ humanity—even in difficult moments—and why doing so is essential for a compassionate life. Highlights:
Two Keys to Patience:
Three Forms of Patience (from the Buddhist tradition):
War has never led to peace, and hatred has never resolved anything. We must learn to fight injustice without aggression. Cultivating patience begins with how we relate to our own inner experiences. What would happen if you responded to frustration or criticism without expectations—and stayed open to the humanity behind every interaction? If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Seven Characteristics of a Dharmic Person | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:33:58 | |
In this episode of Buddhism Beyond Belief, I explore how we truly enter the path—not through esoteric or “advanced” practices, but by grounding ourselves in simple awareness and presence. After more than thirty years of practice and teaching, I’ve come to see that depth in meditation isn’t about complexity. It’s about sincerity—how fully we can find our breath, sit with our mind, and meet life as it is. I share what the Tibetan Buddhist tradition calls the seven characteristics of a Dharmic person—qualities that guide anyone, Buddhist or not, toward wisdom and compassion. Together, they offer a map for living with steadiness, clarity, and an open heart, even when life feels messy or painful. I also tell a story about grief, and how the seemingly simple quality of good conduct can become an act of warriorship—opening to heartbreak instead of turning away. And as always, I close with music I love: this time, “Swim Away” by the late Toni Price—an artist of rare authenticity whose voice carries both ache and freedom.
The episode ends with “Swim Away” by Toni Price—a haunting acapella piece about longing to return home. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Keeping Practice Sacred (Without Getting Weird) | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:23:21 | |
In this episode of Buddhism Beyond Belief, I explore how we can keep our meditation practice genuinely spiritual without making it complicated, performative, or “weird.” After more than thirty years of practice, I’ve learned that depth comes from sincerity, not technique. The simplest form of meditation—just sitting—can open profound dimensions of patience, clarity, confusion, authenticity, and genuine confidence. I share a story from a long retreat in the Colorado Rockies, where I unexpectedly found myself helping to produce a classical music recording inside a sacred building called the Great Stupa. Unsure how to preserve the serenity of the space, I asked my teacher for guidance. He offered three simple instructions that continue to shape my practice today: make offerings, request blessings, and dedicate the merit. In this episode, I talk about what each step means, how it can frame a daily practice, and why ritual helps us sustain a spiritual view without needing anything elaborate. I also reflect on how the effects of meditation show themselves–not during the practice, but in the rest of our lives. I close this episode with music I love. This time, I share “Double Trouble” by the incomparable Otis Rush—one of the most haunting, emotionally searing blues artists of all time. I talk about his unusual left-handed, upside-down guitar style, the mystery of the track’s opening lyric, and my own early encounters with Otis Rush that left an indelible mark on me. Highlights:
Music Segment The episode ends with “Double Trouble” by Otis Rush—a dark, piercing, beautifully restrained blues performance that reveals how much can be said with very few notes. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Lessons on Right Speech from a Chaotic Morning | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:27:26 | |
In this episode, I explore what I believe to be one of the most urgent Buddhist teachings for our current moment: Right Speech. Many people associate Buddhism with stress reduction or calming the mind, and while those benefits are real, the path is far more robust. It offers a way to wake up, to see clearly, and to live everyday life with more meaning, compassion, and courage. I also share a story that unfolded early this morning at Austin’s Barton Springs pool—an unexpected confrontation between two dog owners that I somehow stepped right into. It wasn’t pretty. I wasn’t pretty! As I reflected on what happened, I realized it offered a lens for examining Right Speech, what it is, what it isn’t, and how challenging it can be to practice it in real time. Right Speech is the third step on the Noble Eightfold Path, following Right View and Right Intention. It is essential. Speech is our bridge to one another and a central part of the path. In this episode, I walk through the four characteristics of wrong speech, the five questions to ask yourself before speaking, and the ways in which our words—and the intention behind them—shape the world. I close with a song for our podcast after-party: “Wichita Lineman,” written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by Glen Campbell, one of the most beautiful and mournful songs I know. Highlights
Thank you for listening, for sharing the podcast with anyone who might enjoy it, and for being part of this exploration of the dharma. I’ll see you next week. “Wichita Lineman,” written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1968, is a spacious, aching ballad often hailed as one of the greatest songs ever written. Its haunting melody, iconic six-string bass solo, and portrait of quiet longing make it a perfect companion for reflection. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| When Practice Isn’t Enough: A Buddhist Look at Panic | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:24:29 | |
In this episode, I speak directly to a question I’m often asked: what can we do when anxiety or panic takes over? While many people associate Buddhism with calming the mind, the path is far more layered than stress reduction. Sometimes the most skillful response is not meditation but something far more ordinary and tender. I share my own experience with severe panic attacks—episodes triggered whenever I felt trapped, especially on airplanes. These attacks arrived suddenly and with enormous force, and none of my usual tools helped. Not meditation. Not breath practice. Not even medication or, memorably, tequila. What ultimately made a difference was human connection: one person’s kindness interrupting the spiral of fear. The turning point came from a United Airlines pilot, Captain Denny, whose simple presence and reassurance steadied me. Later, I learned to ask seatmates for brief conversation during takeoff. Every single time, someone responded with kindness. That small act—letting myself be seen—became my true mantra. Sometimes the most effective practice is to ask another human being to care, even for a moment. Meditation, I learned, can actually intensify panic, and it’s important to acknowledge that. In moments of terror, the dharma may show up not as a technique but as connection, vulnerability, and shared humanity. Highlights
Thank you for listening, for sharing the podcast with anyone who might benefit, and for being part of this exploration of the dharma. I’ll see you next week. Music Segment Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and living from a place of personal authenticity, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha, my online community of smart, kind, independent thinkers. Like you. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about the open heart project please visit openheartproject.com. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Way of Listening: Songs That Stayed With Me | 12 Dec 2025 | 01:09:56 | |
In today’s episode, I’m doing something a little different. Lately I’ve been ending each show with what I called the Podcast After-Party—I share a song I love, along with a few words about why it matters to me. I never meant it to be anything formal. It was simply a delight, a way of sharing the music that has struck some essential chord in my life (no pun intended). I’m not a scholar of music, nor a musician, nor anything close. But I’ve been lucky. My early years in Austin, I worked at a little blues bar called Antone’s—where I landed only because my car broke down—and it opened my ears in a way I could never have planned. I learned to hear. That hearing became a kind of companion to my practice: a way of sensing spaciousness, precision, longing, and joy in another language. As this year comes to an end, I wanted to gather all those after-parties into one place. Today’s episode is simply that: the songs I’ve shared with you, with my original commentary, offered again for your listening pleasure. The songs featured in this compilation are: Episode 28 Episode 29 Episode 30 Episode 31 Episode 32 Episode 33 Episode 34 Episode 35 Thank you for listening, for sharing this practice and this music with me, and for making space for a little after-party each time we meet. Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Buddhism and the Four Immeasurable Qualities | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:23:30 | |
As we close out a year many of us are ready to leave behind, this episode reflects on what we might want to carry forward—and what we can gently let go of. I explore the Buddhist teaching of the brahmavihāras, or Four Immeasurables, as a way of giving our hearts a place to live that is honest, resilient, and humane. The Four Immeasurables—loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity—are called “immeasurable” because they are not limited resources. They don’t require perfection or self-improvement. They begin with noticing what is actually happening. In this episode, we explore:
Throughout the episode, I emphasize that the practice is not about trying to embody these qualities, but about noticing our real relationship to them. That noticing itself is the practice. Music Segment Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Building a Mindful New Year is a free, six-day online program exploring how Buddhist practice can help us stay present, steady, and values-aligned in uncertain times. Through daily teachings, meditation, and community practice, we focus on supporting ourselves first—so we can more honestly meet our lives and care for others as the new year begins.
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January.
If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Inexplicable Magic: An Excerpt From My Upcoming Book | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:15:45 | |
For the final episode of the year, I am sharing a short excerpt from a book I am writing called Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics. This work grows directly out of the heart of this podcast and its focus on how we actually live–not as monastic meditators, but as householders. In this excerpt, I reflect on the Buddha’s awakening and on meditation as it was originally understood, not as self-improvement or stress reduction, but as a path of waking up from delusion and helping others do the same. I explore the connection between mindfulness and awareness. Mindfulness is essential, but it is the ground, not the fruition. Awareness cannot be cultivated through effort. It can only be allowed, and it is where insight, opening, and real transformation arise organically. This episode looks at meditation as a way of relating rather than fixing. A practice that breaks the heart open and reveals wisdom, compassion, and bravery. It’s not a transaction, but a way of living, and, ultimately, a way of dying. To close out the year, I share one of my most beloved pieces of music, Sentimental Walk from the film Diva, a piece that brings spaciousness and calm and accompanies me often when I write. Thank you for listening and practicing with me this year. I look forward to continuing the conversation in 2026. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Building a Mindful New Year is a free, six-day online program exploring how Buddhist practice can help us stay present, steady, and values-aligned in uncertain times. Through daily teachings, meditation, and community practice, we focus on supporting ourselves first—so we can more honestly meet our lives and care for others as the new year begins. You can jump in anytime between 26–31 December to gain access to all 6 talks. Sign up here. Learn to Teach Meditation Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Three Qualities of Awakening | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:25:32 | |
As we move into a new year, how do we deepen our understanding: of ourselves, our relationships, and our spiritual practice? In this episode, we explore the three essential steps of learning in the Buddhist tradition: hearing, contemplating, and meditating. Highlights:
If you want to learn something deeply—whether meditation, spiritual practice, or life itself—these three steps are your path. Podcast After Party – Song Feature: We celebrate music as a form of transmission and joy with a performance by the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum (also spelled Oum Kalsoum, Om Kalsoum, Umm Kalsoum, Om Kulthoum, Oum Kulthoum, and Umm Kolthoum). Her song Lelat Hob (Night of Love) showcases the power of live music, devotion, and cultural adoration. For the full version of this song, you can listen here. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question
The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Four Karmas: Actions That Protect the Mind | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:39:41 | |
In this episode, I introduce the Four Karmas—pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying—as practical actions for meeting chaos, conflict, and confusion without losing clarity or heart. In this Buddhist framework, karma means action, not fate. These are not strategies for getting your way, but ways to protect the mind, deepen compassion, and interrupt ignorance in real time. I also explore the “ Māras ,” the obstacles that can distort each karma, and why wisdom sometimes needs to be gentle—and sometimes fierce. Drawing on the story of the Buddha under the Bodhi tree, I reflect on how distraction, shame, and aggression show up in our own lives, and how these four actions help us meet them skillfully.
The Four Karmas (Briefly)
Closing Music I end the episode with “Waloyo Yamoni (We Overcome the Wind)” by Christopher Tin—a piece that feels vast, direct, and deeply human. If you found this episode meaningful, please share it or leave a review. It truly helps. During this episode, I mentioned my upcoming retreat on meditation and writing, Fearless Creativity. You can learn more here. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Learn to Teach Meditation The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January. Click here to learn more & sign up. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| Strength in a Time of Crisis: What Helps? | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:32:05 | |
This morning, the Open Heart Project Sangha gathered as we do every day to meditate and reflect together. The group was larger than usual, a clear sign of how shaken many of us are by what is happening in the United States right now. I began by saying there is nothing I can offer that makes this moment acceptable or less horrifying. There is no teaching that explains it away. What we can do is see and feel the suffering clearly, without denial or false comfort. We talked about the exposure of cruelty and hypocrisy, while also remembering that this country has held real goodness alongside real harm. I explored the three poisons that distort our response to crisis: grasping, delusion, and aggression. Although we must act and resist, aggression only breeds more aggression. Now what? Drawing on Buddhist teachings about the realms of existence, I focused on the human realm as the place where we can wake up and respond with sanity. During times that I cannot defeat my enemies, I can still strengthen my friends. That shift restores strength and energy. I closed by underscoring the importance of continuing to imagine a sane and compassionate world, no matter how far off it may feel. Without the ability to envision what is possible, we lose the ability to create it. We dream on behalf of others. Highlights:
Music For the after party, I share “Say It’s Not So” by Angela Strehli, my favorite female blues singer. The track features Derek O’Brien, who also composed the music for this podcast. This song is deeply personal to me, and it cuts straight to the heart every time. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and living from a place of personal authenticity, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha, my online community of smart, kind, independent thinkers. Like you. Please subscribe, rate and share the podcast with a friend. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step One: Seeing Clearly | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:34:58 | |
In this episode, I begin a conversation about the Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, and its first step, Right View. I review the first three Noble Truths and reflect on how Buddhism is often misunderstood as a tool for stress reduction, when it is actually a profound path of liberation from suffering. I explore how suffering arises not simply from loss or disappointment, but from grasping. I share why Right View is the essential foundation that allows the rest of the path to unfold with coherence and meaning. Highlights
Mentions The Four Noble Truths and The Middle Way: Foundations of the Journey, episode 5 of Buddhism Beyond Belief The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships by Susan Piver The Heart of Unconditional Love: A Powerful New Approach to Loving-Kindness Meditation by Tulku Thondup The Play Of Thought by Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Music I share a personal story about how Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” changed my life, and I offer the song as this episode’s after party music. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. Get free meditations: Sign up for my free weekly newsletter Join our community: The Open Heart Project sangha Learn more about the Open Heart Project: Visit openheartproject.com If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Two: The Power of Intention | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:26:50 | |
When I first started my own business years ago, I was full of doubt, excitement, fear, and hope, often all at the same time. Out of nowhere, a major opportunity landed in my lap that could have launched everything forward. There was just one problem. I did not respect the work of the person offering it. In this episode, I reflect on that moment and how a single sentence from my meditation teacher changed the way I understand right intention, karma, and the mysterious consequences of our actions. This conversation explores right intention through personal experience and Buddhist teachings, moving from practical self examination to a much larger, more mysterious view of how our actions ripple through the world. I also share a personal story about illness, healing, and what it means to work with karma without knowing how or when it will resolve.
I share one of my all time favorites, Bobby Blue Bland’s recording from 1961, Two Steps from the Blues. I talk about why this album is such a turning point in blues and R & B history, and why Bland’s voice remains unforgettable to me. I also reflect on hearing him live while working at Antone’s in Austin, the reverence he inspired, and the joy of recently meeting his son, Rodd Bland, who continues the legacy in his own powerful way. Watch this episode on video Ask me a question Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Three: Right Speech | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:26:11 | |
In this episode, I explore the third step of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right Speech, and why it might more accurately be called Right Listening. I begin with a story about the so-called “Marcus Syndrome”, the habit of using someone else’s speaking time to prepare your reply. From there, I revisit Right View and Right Intention, and how the way we hold our inner world naturally shapes the words we send out into the world. We look at the classical categories of unskillful speech and then discuss four questions you can ask yourself before you speak. At the heart of it all is the rare and vulnerable skill of listening. I also reflect briefly on a teaching from the Heart Sutra about how one’s capacity to listen can create deeper insight in others.
I share why this song feels like a masterwork of sorrow and strength. It is a statement of grief and hope held in the same breath. You can also listen here. Watch this episode on video Thoughts? Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Four: Right Action | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:26:40 | |
In this episode, I explore Right Action, the fourth step on the Noble Eightfold Path. We begin with Right View and Right Intention, then move outward into speech. Now we take those steps into how we live and act in the world. Right Action is not a fixed rulebook. It is nuanced, relational, and always evolving. I share three lenses from the Buddhist tradition that help us investigate what right action might mean in our lives right now.
In our after party, I share “Feel Like Going Home” from the album Folk Singer by Muddy Waters, produced by Willie Dixon and featuring Buddy Guy. It is spare, intimate, and timeless. Watch this episode on video Thoughts? Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Five: Right Livelihood | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:26:42 | |
In this episode, I explore Right Livelihood, the fifth step on the Noble Eightfold Path. We began with Right View and Right Intention, then moved into speech and action. Now we turn to how we earn a living. It may sound ordinary, but the way we work, relate, and exchange value in the world can either bind us more tightly or support liberation. I share three lenses from the Buddhist tradition to investigate what Right Livelihood might mean for us now.
In our after-party, I share “Le Bien, Le Mal” from Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 by Guru, featuring MC Solaar. Their collaboration feels like a true exchange. Two artists building something together, each sharpening the other. You can hear the mutual respect. You can also listen here. Thoughts? Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| A Powerful New Take on the Enneagram (from my new book) | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:50:08 | |
This episode, we pause our exploration of the Noble Eightfold Path before returning next week with Right Effort. This week, Shambhala Publications (my favorite publisher) is reissuing my book, The Buddhist Enneagram. I’m so proud this is happening and I wanted to take this chance to share thoughts on the two wisdom streams that have shaped my life for more than three decades: the Buddhadharma and the Enneagram. Highlights:
Music selection: I share a recording of “Black Night,” most famously associated with musician Charles Brown. The version we listen to features Willie Nelson and Dr. John from the album Milk Cow Blues. I talk about the extraordinary musicians on the track, including producer and guitarist Derek O’Brien, who created the theme music for this podcast. You can also listen to it here. Get your copy of The Buddhist Enneagram If you’d like a free chapter, sign up for my weekly meditation newsletter here. Watch this episode on video Thoughts? Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more a If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||
| The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Six: Right Effort | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:29:59 | |
This week we explore Right Effort, the sixth step of the Noble Eightfold Path. While the earlier steps guide how we understand reality and how we act in the world, Right Effort begins to turn inward. It concerns how we work with our own mind and inner life. Right Effort does not mean pushing harder or forcing yourself to improve. It begins with a commitment not to give up on yourself. From there, it becomes a practice of directing your energy wisely, caring for your inner world, and recognizing that even difficult states of mind can contain seeds of wisdom. In this episode, I explore Right Effort through three lenses: foundational, relational, and transformational.
For the after party, I share a short song called Regular Rabbit by Stephen Spencer. He writes songs based on stories told by his young daughter, and they capture something simple and reassuring about being human. This one brings me joy every time I hear it. You can also listen here. Watch this episode on video Thoughts? Get your copy of The Buddhist Enneagram If you’d like a free chapter, sign up for my weekly meditation newsletter here. Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior meditation experience required. Learn more and register here. If you enjoyed this episode: Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path. For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com. Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com Produced by Citizens of Sound Music by: Derek O'Brien | |||