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Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
Buddhism Beyond Belief is a podcast from Susan Piver, a 30 year student of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Open Heart Project, an online meditation community with close to 20000 members.
With Susan as a friend and guide, we will look at traditional teachings like the four noble truths and the six paramitas–but not from an academic standpoint. Rather, we will talk about how to make it all personal and relevant in everyday life.
This podcast is not about Buddhist doctrine. It’s about how anyone can bring the profound wisdom of the dharma into their real life: at home, at work, and in love. The foundation for it all is meditation as a spiritual practice, not the latest life hack. Let’s go beyond the science and celebrity testimonials to discover the true power of meditation which is not based in self-improvement but in self-discovery.
Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Three: Right Speech
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In this episode, I explore the third step of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right Speech, and why it might more accurately be called Right Listening. I begin with a story about the so-called “Marcus Syndrome”, the habit of using someone else’s speaking time to prepare your reply. From there, I revisit Right View and Right Intention, and how the way we hold our inner world naturally shapes the words we send out into the world.
We look at the classical categories of unskillful speech and then discuss four questions you can ask yourself before you speak. At the heart of it all is the rare and vulnerable skill of listening. I also reflect briefly on a teaching from the Heart Sutra about how one’s capacity to listen can create deeper insight in others.
Highlights
- The “Marcus Syndrome” and the illusion that we are listening when we are really rehearsing
- How Right View and Right Intention give rise to Right Speech
- Why listening may be the highest communication skill
- The four forms of unskillful speech
- Lying, including half truths and things we repeat without certainty
- Abusive speech, and the difference between harm and skillful anger
- Divisive speech that separates people from one another
- Idle speech that fills space without purpose
- Four questions to ask before speaking
- Is it true
- Is it beneficial
- Is it clear
- Is it timely
- The power of presence and how good listening is contagious
Music After Party
A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
I share why this song feels like a masterwork of sorrow and strength. It is a statement of grief and hope held in the same breath.
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Watch this episode on video
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Thoughts?
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Fearless Creativity: A Meditation and Writing Retreat
Join me at Drala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies for Fearless Creativity, a meditation and writing retreat offering dedicated time for creative work alongside guided meditation and conversation. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome, with no prior
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Thoughts? Email us at info@susanpiver.com
Produced by Citizens of Sound
Music by: Derek O'Brien
©Open Heart Project