Originally published in May 2024, this conversation with Buddhist teacher and bestselling author
remains one of the most luminous interviews in my earlier Cave of the Heart series. I’m resharing it now in a new format because Substack makes captions available inside all videos and this format is just much, much nicer for everyone. Plus! Susan is now on Substack, and you should consider reading her work here.Key Takeaways:
The Quiet Life as Creative Soil: Susan reflects on her early shyness and how solitude became both a sanctuary and a challenge. It allowed space for deep observation — but sometimes left her unsure if anyone was truly listening.
Writing as Offering: Rather than writing to solely help others directly, she writes to honor her teachers — the lineage of wisdom she’s been entrusted with. The question she returns to again and again: “How can I pass this on in a way that honors those standing behind me?”
Her Creative Structure: Ground, Path, Fruition. Borrowed from Buddhist teachings, this three-part structure helps her begin any project. The ground is the spark, the path is exploration and the fruition is what emerges — not always what she expects.
The Magic of Containment: Echoing Julia Cameron, Susan shares that “the first rule of magic is containment.” Creativity needs structure — whether a retreat schedule or a quiet room — to emerge and thrive.
The Sweet Spot of Creation: One of the most memorable reflections was this: “This has nothing to do with me… and couldn’t happen without me.” That tension, she says, is where real magic arises.
Space as Both Fear and Fuel: Blank pages and silence can provoke deep discomfort. Susan reminds us: the fear of space is real — but space is also the invitation.
This is a conversation for anyone nurturing a creative practice while navigating doubt, lineage and luminous uncertainty.
🎧 Listen or watch above — captions included.
💌 Susan’s Newsletter: The Open Heart Project
As I mentioned above, when we recorded this interview, Susan’s newsletter on Substack hadn’t launched yet — but I’m so happy to share it with you now.
The Open Heart Project is Susan’s new Substack space to reflect on Buddhism IRL, writing, music, the Enneagram, what keeps her up at night and the mystery of why it’s so hard to love. As she puts it:
“This newsletter will take its shape as it is written. Not sure what it will be yet, but let’s go on the ride together.”
It’s honest, personal, spacious — and full of that grounded wisdom so many of us come to Susan’s work for.
What resonated most for you in this conversation?
Has that feeling of “nothing to do with me / couldn’t happen without me” ever shown up in your work?
Let me know in the comments. Always grateful to share this space with you.
— Amanda
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