In a new episode on the Buddhism Beyond Belief podcast, I talk about how creating an environment of stability, simplicity, and respect can help us meet a difficult world with more confidence and strength. I share four simple ways to work with our environment. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

When anger arises, we may become caught in the stories surrounding it. Meditation gives us another option: noticing the experience itself and allowing it to soften us. In this episode of Buddhism Beyond Belief, I talk about 3 ways of meeting strong emotions. Listen wherever you find your podcasts.

How do we work with strong emotions when the world feels frightening, divided, and uncertain? I look at three Buddhist approaches to difficult emotions: pacifying them, recognizing them as gateways to compassion, and discovering the wisdom within them. New episode out now. Link in profile.

Questions about the new 7 Days of Fearless Creativity program? Join Crystal Gandrud and me for a free info session on September 30th to talk more about the program. Register here: https://openheartproject.com/event/free-info-session-7-days-of-fearless-creativity/

During 7 Days of Fearless Creativity, Crystal Gandrud and I are offering a way to practice together. No need to travel. It can all happen at home. Each morning, we'll meditate, journal, and then spend time in creative practice: https://openheartproject.com/event/7-days-of-fearless-creativity/

More than 30 years ago, Sam Bercholz taught me to meditate. In this final part of our conversation, we talk about teachers, friendship, devotion, and the ordinary magic of discovering what was already there. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Part three (of 3) of my conversation with Sam Bercholz is live now on the Buddhism Beyond Belief podcast. We talk about the ways teachers can enter our lives, devotion, wakefulness, Buddhist deities, and faith as something we investigate and put into practice rather than simply believe. Enjoy.

In the new 7 Days of Fearless Creativity program, Crystal Gandrud and I will look at what happens when we let beauty, meditation, and creative practice shape how we meet the world. October 18–25 Join us: https://openheartproject.com/event/7-days-of-fearless-creativity/

In this new program, join Susan Piver and Crystal Gandrud for 7 days of daily meditation and writing (or other creative practice).  Register here: https://openheartproject.com/event/7-days-of-fearless-creativity/

In the latest podcast episode, Sam Bercholz and I talk about emptiness, egolessness, and what Buddhism actually means when it questions the idea of a separate self. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this week's newsletter, I write about the first step on the Noble Eightfold Path and what it means to see clearly, especially when the world gives us plenty to react to. Sign up for my free weekly meditation newsletter to learn more: https://openheartproject.com/

Part two of my conversation with Sam Bercholz. We talk about bringing the dharma into the modern West without cultural imitation or scientific validation, the three yanas, emptiness, egolessness, and devotion. New podcast episode out now.

For my first-ever interview on my podcast, I spoke to my first choice: Sam Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications and my meditation teacher of the last 3 decades.  We discuss spiritual friendship, teachers, lineage, and the path on this week's episode of Buddhism Beyond Belief podcast.

The Third Noble Truth points toward the cessation of suffering, but that doesn't mean finding a secret to happiness. It means learning how to meet discomfort without immediately turning away from it. Learn more when you sign up for our free weekly newsletter: https://openheartproject.com/

How do you find a teacher? What makes someone a genuine dharma teacher?  I talk with my longtime spiritual friend, Sam Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications about his brand new book Rude Awakenings.  Enjoy wherever you enjoy podcasts.

What if suffering is not caused by what happens, but by what we add to what happens? That distinction is part of the answer to the second of the Four Noble Truths: what is the cause of suffering? Sign up for my free newsletter to follow along: https://openheartproject.com/

Heartbreak can feel like love has disappeared. But what if it's actually a strange form of love itself, no longer tied to one person, place, or circumstance? This week’s podcast is the conclusion of my 3-part talk on heartbreak. Enjoy wherever you listen to podcasts.

Heartbreak can make our usual strategies for managing pain useless. It can also show us what is true about being human. In this podcast episode, I look at how heartbreak itself can become part of the spiritual path. New episode out now wherever you enjoy podcasts.

In the latest podcast episode, I continue looking at three ways Buddhism offers us a path through heartbreak. The second way is practicing loving-kindness. New episode available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Caring for your space. Repairing what is unresolved. Paying attention to what you're allowing into your mind. I've found these ordinary acts change how I relate to myself, to others, and to the world.  Sign up for my free weekly meditation newsletter to learn more: https://openheartproject.com/

My book, Inexplicable Magic, is now available in an audio format.  Listen here: https://www.amazon.com/Inexplicable-Magic-Meditation-Mystics-Buddhism/dp/B0HFL18SRR/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

It’s a joy to see my new book in your hands. Thank you for sending me your beautiful images and thoughts on Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics. My new book is available now: https://openheartproject.com/inexplicable-magic-meditation-for-mystics/

In this week's podcast episode, I begin a conversation about three different approaches to working with heartbreak through the study of Buddhist teachings. The first way is to learn to work with your mind instead of trying to change how you're feeling. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Heartbreak is something we have the tendency to want to get rid of as quickly as possible.  But some heartbreaks cannot be fixed or hurried.  In the latest podcast episode, I look at how Buddhist teachings can help us when heartbreak has a life of its own.  New episode out now. Link in profile.

You may already know the most important teacher you could ever meet. Note: they may not be separate from you. Learn more when you sign up for my free weekly meditation newsletter: https://openheartproject.com/

When I created this podcast, I wanted to share about the things I enjoy exploring: meditation, dharma, relationships, and music. Turns out a lot of you were ready to talk about it all too. Thank you for listening to Buddhism Beyond Belief.  Enjoy weekly episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

Check out my latest podcast episode on Buddhism Beyond Belief, where I share my (somewhat complex) answer to a question I hear a lot: "How do I find a teacher?" Episode 65 also shows how music can illustrate all 3. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

How do we recognize a true teacher?  In the latest podcast episode, I talk about the outer teacher, the inner teacher, and the secret teacher.  New episode out now. Link in profile.

Join Kevin Townley on August 8th at 12pm ET for Sea Change: Transmuting Emotion into Art, a 3-hour workshop on moving the energy of strong feelings into creative practice instead of getting stuck in it.  Learn more: https://openheartproject.com/event/sea-change-transmuting-emotion-into-art/

Many forces are competing for your attention, especially online. Some are noble and righteous. Some are not. Trying to track it all is...exhausting. I talk more about this in a recent episode of my podcast, Buddhism Beyond Belief. Enjoy wherever you listen to podcasts.