Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver

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:Why hope and fear, despite being opposites, are really two sides of the same coin—and how both can pull us away from the present.A wild (and yes, drug-fueled!) story from my younger years in a legendary Austin blues club that showed me this truth in vivid, unforgettable  ( and weird) detail.How beliefs, including those we cling to in hope or hide from in fear, can become obstacles. .Why anxiety is often a symptom of mind and body splitting apart, and how we can work with that.And most importantly, how meditation is the simplest, most profound practice I know for returning to presence and synchronizing body and mind.Highlights:The Buddhist view of beliefs: Why even “positive” ones can be a trapWhat Stevie Ray Vaughan and meditation have in common (sort of!)What happened  to me when they suddenly dropped away (this is the drugs part)How anxiety may simply be a case of your mind and body being out of syncPractical ways to come back to the moment, even when the world feels like it's falling apartLearn to Teach MeditationThe 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.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©Open Heart Project

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.Three Yanas, Three Teaching Styles1. Hinayana – The Foundational PathBest if you're starting out and need structure. Look for a teacher who emphasizes:Simplicity and disciplineEthical foundationBuilding a consistent practice2. Mahayana – The Compassionate PathIdeal if you're feeling more open to others and want your practice to reflect that. Seek a teacher who guides:The Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy, equanimityHow to connect practice with service and daily life3. Vajrayana – The Transformational PathFor those ready to work with everything—including chaos—as part of the path. A Vajrayana teacher will focus on:Sudden awakeningMeeting life directly, without avoidanceTransforming emotions into insightVajrayana 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:Do I need grounding and structure?Am I drawn to compassion and connection?Do I want to use every part of life as practice?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. 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©Open Heart Project

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:Why the Buddhist path is so much more than stress relief Meditation isn’t just about calming down or feeling better—though it may help with that. It’s a path of waking up, and of learning to live more fully and meaningfully.What meditative absorption really means On the cushion, we train our attention by returning again and again to an object—often the breath.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.A deep inquiry into thought itselfWhere do thoughts come from? Where do they go? Can we remain absorbed in what lies beyond them?An exquisite (and challenging) passage from a traditional Buddhist textI read a short but powerful teaching on the nature of thought, mind, and perception—and how they are ultimately without a fixed basis.What is a Bodhisattva, really?Someone who vows to be of benefit to all beings—not because they’re a “good person,” but because, eventually, you realize… what else is there to do?My personal story of taking the Bodhisattva VowIncluding what I gave up (and immediately wanted back), and why that experience still teaches me something today.The cloud and sky metaphor for meditationYour thoughts are the clouds. You are the sky. That sky-like awareness is what meditative absorption connects you to.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.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©Open Heart Project

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:Meditation as Self-Inquiry: In many wisdom traditions, the core aim is to understand the nature of mind. In Buddhism, this process is meditation.How Meditation Went Mainstream: Once seen as fringe, meditation is now widely accepted for its health benefits—though its deeper spiritual dimensions often get lost.Three Yanas (Vehicles) in Buddhism and Three Views of Meditation:Hinayana (Foundational Vehicle): Focuses on personal liberation, calming the mind, and cultivating simplicity and discipline.Mahayana (Great Vehicle): Emphasizes compassion, the bodhisattva path, and using meditation to benefit others.Vajrayana (Indestructible Vehicle): A mystical path where meditation serves as a direct means to awakening and transformation.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.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©Open Heart Project

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:Exertion ≠ Trying Harder:Most of us are already trying as hard as we can. Buddhist exertion is not about pushing more—it’s about opening more.What Exertion Is: A continual willingness to engage with reality, to stay with your life and your heart—even when you don’t know where it’s all going.The Three Forms of Laziness:Procrastination or Avoidance: Often rooted in hopelessness or shame.Being Too Busy: When the essential things—like you—fall to the bottom of the list.Losing Heart: When the state of the world or your own limits make you forget your innate goodness.The Three Forms of Exertion:Suit of Armor: Not armor as in closing off, but as in showing up with commitment and presence, no matter what.Action: You keep going. You don’t give up. You come back.Never Being Satisfied: Staying curious. You haven’t reached the bottom of your own wisdom yet.A Different View on Motivation:Exertion is fueled by generosity, discipline, and patience. These are things we receive through openness, not willpower.How Beliefs Can Block Exertion:Our belief systems—especially those we don't even realize we have—can narrow our perception and prevent us from experiencing what's real.Restoring Exertion Through Humor: When we lose our sense of humor, it can be a red flag. Humor often signals a return of energy and perspective.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©Open Heart Project

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:What Patience Is (and Isn't):Not about tolerating wrongdoing or suppressing anger.True patience is the opposite of aggression—it’s about staying present and not shrinking the world to your anger.A personal story of losing patienceTwo Keys to Patience:Staying connected to humanity—even when angry.Letting go of expectations.Three Forms of Patience (from the Buddhist tradition):Overcoming Others’ Destructiveness – Meeting aggression without adding more.Realizing the Nature of Aggression – Seeing the pain behind harmful actions (in others and ourselves).Individual Examination – Resisting assumptions and prejudice; seeing each situation and person freshly.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?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©Open Heart Project

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:Why discipline must be paired with generosity to avoid self-aggression.The Buddhist definition of discipline as “coming back” over and over, especially in meditation.How thinking for yourself and not outsourcing wisdom is a powerful form of discipline.The three forms of discipline:Binding Yourself – Committing to opening up, even when it's uncomfortable.Gathering Virtuous Dharmas – Continuing to deepen your understanding through study, reflection, and practice.Benefiting Sentient Beings – Shifting focus from self alone to bringing care for others into your experienceThe three-step method of learning in Buddhist tradition: Hearing, Contemplating, and Meditating. (We usually stop at hearing, regurgitating, and then forgetting.)How including others in your awareness brings joy, strength, and clarity, even in chaotic times.“Discipline is synonymous with joy. Not yippy joy—but the joy of not hiding from your life.”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©Open Heart Project

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:Why mindfulness is more than just stress relief – It’s a path to living with depth, presence, and authenticity.Introduction to the obscure yet profound teaching of the Seven Riches of the Universal Monarch, possibly rooted in the indigenous Bön tradition of Tibet.The 7 Riches unpacked:Consort – The value of intimate connection (romantic or platonic) rooted in trust and love.Minister – Having a trusted source of wisdom or guidance (a person, study, or tradition).General – A sense of protection, whether from people, community, or even financial stability.Horse – The wellspring of vitality and momentum, from energy to inspiration.Elephant – Living with purpose and steady, grounded intention.Wish-Fulfilling Jewel – Deep self-knowledge and compassion as the truest wealth.The Wheel – Integration of all six riches into a cohesive, supportive whole.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©Open Heart Project

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:Ordinary generosity – Giving material things with an open heartThe gift of dharma – Sharing wisdom in a humble, useful wayThe gift of fearlessness – Helping others feel stronger and less alone, often through the simple act of listeningHighlights:Why generosity is the gateway to all other ParamitasHow practicing generosity transforms the way people respond to youWhat it really means to lead with offering, rather than seekingA beautiful, powerful definition of listening: “When you stop thinking your thoughts and start thinking mine.” –Catherine MacCounPractical ways to embody generosity in daily life—emails, conversations, arguments, and moreAs 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.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©Open Heart Project

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:What the Refuge Vow actually is—and isn’tThe meaning and power of the Three JewelsWhen (and if) you know you're ready to take the vowPersonal stories of transformation, doubt, and commitmentHow taking the vow changes your relationship with life“The best time to take the Refuge Vow is when it simply feels like a recognition of something that has already happened.”Resources & Links:Visit Susan’s Substack & continue the conversation: Susan Piver on SubstackLearn more or join her community: The Open Heart ProjectMentioned in podcast: Episode 8: Who Can You Trust in the Spiritual World?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©Open Heart Project