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.

All Episodes

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver

Meditation: An Act of Rebellion

July 31, 2026 • Susan Piver • Season 1 • Episode 64

0:00 | 11:56

Send us Fan Mail

It's no secret that many forces are competing for your attention, especially online. Some are noble and righteous. Some are not. Trying to track it all is...exhausting.

The need for boundaries around our hearts and minds has never been more important. We must preserve our energy so that we can continue to care, dream, and love.

Meditation helps establish mental and emotional boundaries. This is not about bypassing. It is about retaining life force to fight the good fight and respond to your world with intense clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Please have a listen to this episode to learn more.

Highlights:

Why meditation helps set strong mental boundaries
Reclaiming your attention from distraction and overwhelm
How working with the breath builds discernment and agency
Why protecting your attention is a radical act
The difference between reacting to the world and responding on purpose
How protecting your energy lets you be of greater benefit to others

Referenced in this episode: Buddhist Cosmology: The Six Realms of Being (Episode 12)

Watch this episode on video
If you’d like to watch the podcast, the video version is here.

My new book is now available

Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics, is available for purchase. Explore the spiritual path through 7 principles which run counter to conventional wisdom on mindfulness.

Learn more and buy your copy here.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path.

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