Strength in a Time of Crisis: What Helps?

Strength in a Time of Crisis: What Helps?

Author: Susan Piver January 30, 2026 Duration: 32:05
Send us Fan Mail 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 abou...

In Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver, ancient wisdom meets the messy reality of modern living. Susan Piver, drawing from three decades as a student of Tibetan Buddhism and her experience guiding the nearly 20,000-member Open Heart Project meditation community, acts as a thoughtful companion rather than a distant teacher. This isn't about scholarly lectures; it's a conversation. You'll hear explorations of foundational concepts-the four noble truths, the six paramitas, and more-but always through the lens of direct, personal application. The focus is on how these teachings can resonate in the middle of a busy workday, within complex relationships, or during moments of quiet doubt. Each episode of this podcast feels like a genuine discussion about integrating contemplative practice into all aspects of life, from physical health and spiritual curiosity to navigating everyday stress. The aim is to move past doctrine and into direct experience, offering practical insights for cultivating resilience, compassion, and a sense of groundedness. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or simply curious about a more mindful approach to fitness, health, and personal growth, Susan's guidance is both accessible and deeply authentic. Tune in for a perspective that values lived understanding over belief, creating space for clarity and an open heart amid the noise.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
Podcast Episodes
Transcending Insanity, Part Six: True Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
Send us Fan Mail 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…
Meditation is for Mystics (it’s not a life hack) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Send us Fan Mail 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 r…
Buddhism and the Enneagram (with a musical aside) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:20
Send us Fan Mail 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-understandin…
The Antidote to Anxiety: A Buddhist View (With Drugs) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
Send us Fan Mail 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 o…
How to Choose a Meditation Teacher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:24
Send us Fan Mail 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.…
Transcending Insanity, Part Five: Meditative Absorption [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:18
Send us Fan Mail 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…
Transcending Insanity, Part Four: Exertion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:32
Send us Fan Mail 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 th…
Transcending Insanity, Part Three: Patience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:01
Send us Fan Mail 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…
Transcending Insanity Part Two: Discipline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:56
Send us Fan Mail 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 tal…