43: Susan Piver: The Life Purpose of Modern Day Buddhist Teacher

In this episode, Susan Piver discusses her new book Start Here Now, vulnerability, the responsibility of being a Spiritual Teacher, advice on meditation, and The Open Heart Project, her mindfulness community.  Notice the wonderful birds singing in the background as we talk.

 “Meditation is the practice of opening your heart. Eventually, some rawness and vulnerability of your own being that is there right now- that is being denied or is not seen- IS seen.”– Susan Piver

About Susan Piver

Susan Piver is a Buddhist teacher and the New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including The Hard Questions, the award-winning How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life, and The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. Her new book is Start Here Now: An Open-Hearted Guide to the Path and Practice of Meditation.

Piver has been a student of Buddhism since 1995, graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004 and was authorized to teach meditation in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage in 2005.

She teaches workshops and speaks all over the world on meditation, spirituality, communication styles, relationships and creativity. She has been a frequent guest on network television, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, CNN, and The Tyra Banks Show. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, TIME, Parade, Money, and others.

In 2011, Piver launched The Open Heart Project, an online meditation community which with nearly 15000 members who practice together and explore ways to bring spiritual values such as kindness, genuineness and fearlessness to everyday life.

....In this show….

Susan Piver's Life Purpose

• To communicate through various forms. Explaining the dharma in ordinary words for everyone to understand.

Life Purpose Ah-Ha Moments

• Making the decision to allow her future to come naturally. In her experience, planning and forcing her future has never worked.

Major Life Events that Hinted at Your Life Purpose

• Susan Piver launched a book packaging company but it did not make her happy, leading her to find another path that fulfilled her.
• Being hit by a drunk driver left Susan Piver with injuries and health complications. Being so close to death reminded Susan Piver of the preciousness of her own life.

Spiritual Belief

• Raised Jewish
• Now, a Buddhist Practitioner and Teacher.
• "Beliefs can be an obstacle to faith and to seeing what is actually happening right in front of you.  To walk in the world without a shield is the act of warriorship...."
• "Buddhists deny the existence of God but not the idea of God"

Recommended Personal Growth Resource or Practice

• Mediation and Mindfulness

Susan Piver's Wisdom on Igniting Life Purpose and Personal Growth

"You never know what's coming. You never know how things will turn out. Just relax."

Interview Links and Special Offers from this Episode

• Susan Piver's website
  • Sign up for Susan Piver's free weekly mediation video
• Upcoming Events
  • "Start Here Now: An Open Hearted Guide to the Path and Practice of Mediation" Book Release in September. Available now for presale on Amazon.  Click the link above to reserve your copy.
  • See Susan Piver's Calendar for upcoming events

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