Susan Piver’s Open Heart Project (OHP) is powerful sustenance for my daily Quiet Time. It was introduced to me by a July 2012 blog post from Seth Godin. I highly recommend OHP. It provides a beautiful, real, human teacher; clear, concise teaching; and a good fellowship of fellow practitioners. (I’m in the Member Spotlight today!)
There’s a Basic Level that’s free and a Practitioner Level that is $180 per year.
The free stuff includes two emails per week from Susan. Each email contains a 10-minute meditation video plus a second video with a “dharma talk,” insights or suggestions about how to stabilize your practice.
I had been using the free 10-minute guided meditations as an intro to my Quiet Time and receiving great benefits. Then, last month I could no longer resist joining as a practitioner. Now I am delighted to be in an exchange of spiritual currency with such a superb teacher.
Here is something to contemplate from Susan’s teacher, Sakyong Mipham. For me, it speaks to the choices I must make throughout each day — choices of what to eat, what to think, what to say… any choice that raises the slightest doubt in my mind. My question to myself today as I make each choice is, “Will my choice bring fear, doubt and insecurity or serenity, confidence and peace?”
“The confidence of the tiger is contentment. Contentment comes from discernment, the virtue of touching our feet to the earth of every moment. As we slow down and consider our thoughts, words, and actions with the question, “Will this bring happiness or pain?”, we become like tigers who carefully observe the landscape before pouncing. In looking at what to cultivate and what to discard, we are remembering our precious human life and deciding to use it well.”
Excerpted from the book : Ruling Your World by Sakyong Mipham.
Thank you to the Triple Gem – Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. I take refuge in the best nature in all beings (Buddha); the great, universal, spiritual teachings (Dhamma); and my beloved community of fellow practitioners (Sangha).
Love & Light,
Valerie
The clarity of your question is exactly what I need today. thank you, daughter.
You are welcome, Mom. It was what I needed, too.
Love & Light,
Valerie
I recently recommitted to a daily medication practice. It makes such a difference when I start my day this way.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be at peace.
May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings be free from pain.
Hi Sandra,
Nice mantra.
… and it is pretty amazing what 30 minutes of Quiet Time first thing in the morning will do for one’s whole day.
Love & Light,
Valerie
This is interesting to think about.
Sometimes I have to make choices that are scary and I’m unsure about my decision. This is especially true in my work these days. There is a lot to be done and people are looking to me for help and the final say. I have to make the effort to move us forward. It isn’t often peaceful or comfortable. It is rare that I am doubt-free.
And yes- the goal is happiness instead of pain. Right vs. wrong. Keeping and cultivating what is working and letting go of what isn’t. I guess the serenity part is that I am doing my best to do the right thing. And it feels good to make a difference-even if there may be some occasional missteps.
Dear Sissy,
Thank you so much for your thoughts. You remind me of the demands for decision-making in the realm of work.
I listened again to a dharma talk from Susan on discernment. This time I got the direction to ask if I want to accept or reject a choice. Not rejection in a pejorative way, but more of a letting go. Generally, when I check in with my body (for tension or relaxation) or ask myself the question in my mind, I get a pretty clear yes or no.
Where there is doubt, I’m coming to accept that I’m not ready to make the decision. Where there is a necessity for a decision now, I’ve accepted that I must take the leap… even in doubt.
You said it so well. It isn’t often peaceful or comfortable. And yet one can experience the serenity that comes with taking the next right step — even when it might be the occasional misstep.
Love & Light,
Valerie