The Problem with Egolessness

The Problem with Egolessness

Author: Susan Piver June 13, 2025 Duration: 28:41
Send us Fan Mail 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 fai...

In Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver, the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism meets the messy reality of modern living. Susan Piver, drawing from three decades of personal practice and her role guiding a large online meditation community, acts as a thoughtful companion rather than a distant teacher. Each conversation in this podcast moves beyond theoretical doctrine to explore how core teachings-from the four noble truths to the practice of the paramitas-can be woven into the fabric of daily experience. You’ll hear discussions that feel applicable whether you’re dealing with stress, navigating relationships, or simply seeking a more grounded sense of purpose. The tone is accessible and personal, focusing on direct experience over dogma. This approach makes the podcast a resource for anyone curious about integrating contemplative practice into areas of health, fitness, and personal spirituality, regardless of their background. It’s about finding practical clarity and an open heart amidst life’s constant changes, with Susan offering insights that feel both timeless and immediately useful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
Podcast Episodes
Buddhism and the Four Immeasurable Qualities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
Send us Fan Mail 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 brahmavi…
The Way of Listening: Songs That Stayed With Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:56
Send us Fan Mail 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…
When Practice Isn’t Enough: A Buddhist Look at Panic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
Send us Fan Mail 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…
Lessons on Right Speech from a Chaotic Morning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:26
Send us Fan Mail 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, a…
Keeping Practice Sacred (Without Getting Weird) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
Send us Fan Mail 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 p…
The Seven Characteristics of a Dharmic Person [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:58
Send us Fan Mail 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…
A Guided 10-Minute Meditation Practice (plus music) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:43
Send us Fan Mail 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 invite…
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…