Show Notes
Susan Piver’s Journey to Mindfulness
The episode features Susan Piver, a noted Buddhist teacher and author. Susan shares her journey, which began with a life-altering accident leading to a prolonged recovery. During this period, she explored various spiritual practices, eventually finding resonance with Buddhism through Chogyam Trungpa’s book, “The Heart of the Buddha”. This marked the beginning of her 30-plus-year journey in Buddhism, guided by her meditation teacher, a close student of Chögyam Trungpa.
The Open Heart Project and Tech in Meditation
Susan discusses the Open Heart Project, a virtual meditation community she founded pre-Zoom era, which grew rapidly to thousands of members globally. This platform reflects her innovative use of technology in teaching meditation, catering to people in remote locations or those unable to access in-person instruction. She emphasizes the importance of learning meditation from trained teachers and the transformative impact of practice on life, rather than just during meditation sessions.
Growth, Scaling, and the Business Aspect
When asked about scaling her project for wider reach, Susan stresses the significance of organic growth through word of mouth, ensuring trustworthiness and community happiness. She views her project as an art form, focusing on responding to needs and interests rather than a purely business-driven approach.
Leadership & Mindfulness
Susan Piver’s perspective on leadership is deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings, particularly the concept of the Four Karmas. She views leadership as a dynamic interplay of four actions: pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying. For Susan, a leader first needs to pacify the environment, calming down any chaos or confusion to see the situation clearly. Then, the leader should enrich the situation by contributing what is needed, adding value and nourishment to the team or project. The third step, magnetizing, involves attracting the right resources, people, and ideas – essentially, allowing things to come to the leader rather than aggressively pursuing them. Finally, the leader must be willing to destroy or let go of what no longer serves the purpose, whether it’s outdated strategies, unproductive habits, or even failing projects. This holistic and fluid approach to leadership encourages adaptability, mindfulness, and a deep connection to the evolving needs of both the leader and their environment.
Susan’s Teaching Philosophy and Future Focus
Susan’s teachings revolve around personal experiences, drawing from classical Buddhist teachings like the Four Immeasurables and Six Paramitas. She plans to focus on practical aspects of creating a sacred, fulfilling life, exploring teachings on householding and using elements from Tibetan Buddhism and the indigenous Boon tradition. The emphasis is on practical application in daily life, encompassing areas like relationships, home, body, and environment.
Conclusion and Practice of Techquanimity
The podcast concludes with discussions on practicing Techquanimity. Susan highlights the importance of regulating exposure to technology and balancing online presence with inner focus. She advises mindfulness in digital engagement, being aware of how technology impacts our lives, and maintaining a balance between virtual and personal space. The hosts reflect on the enriching conversation and the practical wisdom imparted by Susan, emphasizing the significance of mindfulness and technology in today’s world.
(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast: Introduction of the Techquanimity podcast by hosts Cynthia Phelps and Mark Montalban, focusing on the interplay of technology, mindfulness, and compassion.
(01:30) Introducing Susan Piver: Presentation of guest Susan Piver, discussing her background in Buddhism and the Open Heart Project.
(03:00) Susan’s Journey to Buddhism: Susan shares her path to Buddhism, which began with her recovery from a severe accident and her encounter with “The Heart of the Buddha” by Chogyam Trungpa.
(06:00) Creation of the Open Heart Project: Exploration of the origins of the Open Heart Project and its development as a virtual meditation community.
(09:00) Scaling and Business Aspects: Discussion on the growth strategy and business approach of the Open Heart Project, focusing on organic growth and community building.
(12:00) The Role of Technology in Teaching: Susan talks about leveraging technology in the teaching of meditation and the evolution of her project.
(15:00) Mindfulness Practice Tips for Beginners: Advice for beginners on starting their journey in meditation and mindfulness, with insights from Susan.
(18:00) Catering to Different Experience Levels: How the Open Heart Project accommodates a range of experience levels in meditation, from novices to seasoned practitioners.
(21:00) Importance of Qualified Meditation Instruction: Emphasizing the necessity of learning meditation from properly trained instructors, particularly for trauma-sensitive individuals.
(24:00) Misconceptions about Mindfulness: Addressing common misconceptions and the broader implications of mindfulness beyond just stress reduction.
(27:00) Susan’s Teaching Philosophy and Topics: Susan shares her teaching philosophy, focusing on personal experiences and classical Buddhist teachings.
(30:00) The Four Karmas in Leadership: An explanation of the Four Karmas and their influence on Susan’s approach to leadership and teaching.
(33:00) Upcoming Focus and 2024 Plans: Susan outlines her thematic focus for 2024, integrating practical and sacred aspects of life.
(36:00) Techquanimity in Personal Life: Discussion of Susan’s personal practice of Techquanimity, finding balance between technology use and mindfulness.