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:

Why Buddhist teachings go far beyond “calming down”
How I first encountered the Enneagram—and why it changed everything
The connection between your “flaws” and your true nature
Real-life stories of how understanding Enneagram types transformed relationships
The Buddhist view that our poisons are our wisdom
How each Enneagram type maps onto a path of transformation

Plus:
At the end, I share a beautiful bluegrass song that has moved me deeply—“Christine Leroy” by the Johnson Mountain Boys. It’s our new “after-party” segment to celebrate the power of music and storytelling. Listen to the whole song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0obAxxHy2PoTA7BM2aadDt?si=d51c970c363e4c05

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.

Learn to Teach Meditation

The Open Heart Project Meditation Teacher Training returns this January.
We begin January 17th, 2026.
I teach every session. It’s intimate, rigorous, supportive—and it’s for anyone who wants to help others work with their own minds and hearts.

Click here to learn more & sign up.

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Produced by Citizens of Sound

Music by: Derek O'Brien

©Open Heart Project

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