Secular Buddhism

What is the difference between happiness and joy, and how can we experience greater contentment, even when life doesn't go as planned? In this episode, I explore the Buddhist perspectives and modern insights that reveal happiness as a fleeting emotional state, while joy represents a deeper, more enduring form of well-being. Drawing inspiration from “The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama, “Happiness” by Matthieu Ricard, and “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, I discuss practical exercises and teachings that help us cultivate a more resilient, compassionate, and flexible approach to life's inevitable ups and downs. Join me as we learn to hold space for joy in every moment, beyond mere happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore the Buddhist teaching of aimlessness, one of the Three Doors of Liberation, through personal reflection and the lens of my son's journey into adulthood. What if life doesn't need a fixed purpose to be meaningful? Drawing on insights from Buddhism, Alan Watts, and everyday life—including paragliding, parenting, and playing music—I consider what it means to live fully when we stop racing toward a destination. Aimlessness isn't about giving up; it's about letting go of the pressure to always be somewhere else, and discovering the joy of being right here, right now. Life, like dancing or listening to music, might not be about getting to the end—it might just be about the experience itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah explores the Buddhist teaching of no-self through the powerful metaphor of a car ride. Who—or what—is really in control as we navigate our lives? Drawing from the five aggregates and the Internal Family Systems model, Noah illustrates how our emotions and mental patterns often take the wheel, shaping our actions and experiences. But through mindful awareness, we can begin to notice these “drivers,” understand their intentions, and gently shift how we respond. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their inner world with curiosity, compassion, and clarity, offering practical tools for cultivating emotional awareness and inner freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore the parable of The Empty Boat and how it serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the way we react to life's inevitable bumps (especially those caused by others). Drawing from Taoist and Zen traditions, this story reminds us that much of our suffering arises not from what happens, but from the meaning we attach to it.We'll look at what it means to take things personally, why we often assume intent where there may be none, and how mindfulness helps us shift from reactivity to response. I also share personal reflections, real-life examples, and variations on the parable to help bring this teaching into everyday life.Whether you've been bumped recently or you've unknowingly bumped into others, this episode offers a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and respond with more awareness and compassion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Secular Buddhism Podcast, I reflect on an experience at a dance competition that led me to deeply consider connection, perception, and the way we assign meaning to our experiences. As I watched dancers perform to carefully chosen songs, I found myself drawn into the emotions conveyed in the lyrics—emotions that felt strikingly familiar, even though they were someone else's words, someone else's story.This realization sparked a deeper exploration of Buddhist teachings on interdependence (pratītyasamutpāda), impermanence (anicca), and feeling tones (vedanā)—all of which play a role in how we connect to art, music, and each other. How is it that a song written by a stranger can make us feel understood in our most personal moments of joy or sorrow? What does this teach us about the shared human experience?Join me as we explore the ways in which our lives, like music, are constantly unfolding—sometimes melancholic, sometimes joyful, always moving. And just as we don't cling to a single note in a song, we can learn to embrace the impermanence of life with greater ease. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In times of uncertainty and suffering, many of us find ourselves asking: What can I do? The weight of the world's challenges—humanitarian crises, injustice, personal struggles—can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering whether our efforts even make a difference.In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, I'm sharing the audio from a recent Dharma talk on the Bodhisattva path—a way of engaging with suffering that is rooted in compassion, wisdom, and the recognition of our deep interconnection. The Bodhisattva path invites us to act, not because we are certain we can fix everything, but because compassionate action is itself a meaningful response to the suffering around us.Through personal stories, Buddhist teachings, and reflections on our shared humanity, this talk explores how we can light even the smallest candle in the darkness without burning out or losing hope.I hope this episode offers you some clarity, encouragement, and a renewed sense of purpose in these challenging times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, Noah Rasheta explores the Tibetan Buddhist concept of bardos, traditionally understood as transitional states between life, death, and rebirth. Taking a secular approach, Noah reinterprets bardos as a framework for understanding all of life's transitions, both big and small.Life is constantly shifting—between moments, relationships, jobs, emotions, and even identities. Each transition, whether minor or major, offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and make intentional choices about what we bring forward and what we leave behind. Noah discusses the six bardos in Tibetan Buddhism and reimagines them in an everyday context, showing how they can help us navigate change with mindfulness and presence.Through personal stories and practical reflections, this episode encourages listeners to embrace the space between what was and what will be—not as something to fear, but as a fertile ground for growth, renewal, and greater self-awareness.Tune in to explore how recognizing bardos in daily life can help you move through transitions with clarity, resilience, and wisdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, I sit down with Cortland Dahl, author of A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism, to explore how Buddhist teachings and meditation can help us navigate life's challenges with awareness, compassion, and wisdom.Cortland shares insights from his book, which serves as an accessible guide for both beginners and seasoned meditators, and discusses themes such as the practical application of Buddhist principles in daily life, the transformative power of curiosity, and the innate qualities of awareness, compassion, and wisdom that reside within all of us.We also discuss the concept of the “householder yogi,” how everyday moments can become opportunities for mindfulness, and the role of compassion in fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation offers relatable and transformative perspectives.Tune in to discover how Buddhist practices can help you suffer less, flourish more, and embrace the present moment with a fresh perspective.Find Cortland's book, A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism, here https://amzn.to/3Pqx7w7 or wherever books are sold, and learn more about his work at cortlanddahl.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of Bodhi Day—commemorating the Buddha's awakening—this episode challenges the conventional notion of enlightenment as a distant finish line. Instead, I explore how awakening emerges naturally in the everyday moments of our lives. Drawing on the Buddha's story and reflecting on personal experiences, I'll discuss how to recognize the sacredness of ordinary life, embrace change with grace, and deepen our responsibility for our own happiness. Join me as we discover that enlightenment isn't something to chase, but something to live—right here, right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah Rasheta explores the concept of letting go as a path to freedom and liberation. Using analogies like hanging onto a rope, carrying a backpack, and navigating monkey bars, Noah illustrates how our attachments to beliefs, roles, and identities can create unnecessary suffering. He offers practical advice for identifying and releasing the things that weigh us down, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability in the process. Noah also reframes the question of "Who am I?" to "What am I doing?" to help listeners focus on the present moment and respond skillfully to life's challenges. By embracing the dynamic nature of letting go, we can lighten our load and find peace on our journey through life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore gratitude as a natural byproduct of awareness, interdependence, and impermanence. Through the lens of Buddhist teachings, including the metaphor of Indra's net and the Zen story of “The Cup Is Already Broken,” I share how mindfulness reveals the interconnectedness of all things and inspires genuine gratitude.I discuss how gratitude isn't something we're commanded to feel but something that arises effortlessly when we embrace the fleeting nature of life and recognize the countless causes and conditions that support our existence. I also introduce practical ways to cultivate gratitude, such as Naikan practice and gratitude meditations, and show how awareness can transform even the simplest moments into opportunities for profound appreciation.Whether you're preparing for Thanksgiving or simply looking to deepen your understanding of mindfulness, this episode offers wisdom for cherishing life as it unfolds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I distill 30 life lessons that have shaped my personal journey and that I've found most impactful after nearly a decade of hosting the Secular Buddhism Podcast. Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Buddhist teachings, these lessons serve as practical guides to living with more awareness, compassion, and resilience in everyday life. Join me as I share not only the core teachings but also my personal reflections on each one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore the topic of uncertainty and how embracing life's unpredictability can lead to greater peace and freedom. From everyday frustrations to life's biggest challenges, groundlessness is a shared human experience. Drawing on stories, metaphors, and Buddhist teachings, I discuss how letting go of the need for control opens us to new possibilities and deeper wisdom. Tune in to learn how you can transform fear of the unknown into a source of growth and connection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I interview the co-founders of Uplift Kids—Jon, Amanda, and Michelle—to explore how their curriculum helps parents teach emotional awareness and wisdom traditions to kids. We dive into practical tips for guiding kids through big emotions, the importance of mindfulness in parenting, and how ancient wisdom can be applied to modern family life. Whether you're a parent looking for tools to raise emotionally intelligent kids or curious about integrating values-based lessons at home, this conversation offers valuable insights. Learn more about Uplift kids at upliftkids.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, we explore the Buddhist perspective on suffering and how we can transform our relationship with it. We'll explore how changing our relationship with suffering can lead to personal growth, wisdom, and even unexpected joy. This episode offers listeners practical tools to apply Buddhist concepts in their daily lives, encouraging a curious and compassionate approach to life's challenges. Whether you're new to Buddhist ideas or a long-time practitioner, this episode provides valuable insights for navigating the inevitable difficulties of human existence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a unique episode where I'm excited to share the audio of a thought-provoking conversation I recently had with Eric Zimmer, the esteemed host of "The One You Feed" podcast. In this compelling discussion, we delve into the ancient parable of the two wolves that reside within each of us, exploring the profound wisdom behind the teaching that the wolf you choose to nourish ultimately prevails.Our dialogue centres on the complex topic of suffering, but we also traverse a range of interconnected concepts that shed light on the human experience. This special episode offers a rare opportunity to eavesdrop on an unscripted, in-depth exchange of ideas that I believe you'll find both enlightening and engaging.So, settle in and prepare for an intellectual journey as we unpack age-old wisdom and apply it to modern life. I'm confident that this unique episode will provide you with fresh perspectives and valuable insights. Enjoy the discussion! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this introspective episode, Noah Rasheta shares personal updates about significant changes in his life over the past few months, including a career transition and a move to a new home. He explores the parallels between his new role in data infrastructure and the inner workings of the human mind, drawing insightful connections between hardware, software, and the beliefs that shape our experiences.Noah dives deep into the concept of the cognitive cycle, explaining how our beliefs influence our perceptions, thoughts, emotions, actions, and ultimately, our reality. He emphasizes the importance of examining and updating our beliefs, likening them to the software that runs on the hardware of our brains.Through relatable examples and personal anecdotes, Noah illustrates how our beliefs can impact our day-to-day lives, from fear of public speaking to the way we react to challenges. He encourages listeners to be introspective and mindful of the beliefs that drive their actions and to consider updating their "mental software" to better navigate life's complexities.Join Noah on this thought-provoking journey as he shares valuable insights from his own life experiences and invites listeners to reflect on the interconnectedness of their thoughts, emotions, and actions in the pursuit of inner peace and personal growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I reflect on my transformative journey from intense frustration to effortless flying, drawing parallels between the challenges of paragliding and the introspective path of personal growth. Sharing insights from my experience with learning to ridge soar, I connect these adventures to the Buddha's spiritual quest, underscoring the essence of self-reliance and the lessons adversity teaches us. This episode is a reflection on the powerful, often unseen teachers we encounter in life, and how they shape our journey towards mastering not just skills, but the very art of living itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses how renunciation is not merely about giving up material or physical pleasures but about a deeper understanding and release of attachments that cause suffering. The episode invites listeners to consider the ways in which they might be clinging too tightly to certain aspects of their lives and how letting go can lead to greater liberation and joy. Through personal anecdotes, practical tips, and thoughtful exploration of the middle way of attachment, the episode encourages contemplation of what we hold onto and what we might gain by learning to let go, emphasizing that renunciation is an ongoing, transformative process in the pursuit of a more meaningful life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I delve into the landscape of our emotions, drawing parallels between the ever-changing sky and our internal world. Journey with me as we explore the transient nature of emotions, taking cues from the wisdom of ancient Buddhist teachings and insights from modern psychology. Learn how emotional agility can serve as a beacon, guiding us through life's inevitable storms with grace, resilience, and understanding. Featuring parables, contemporary analogies, and practical tips, this episode seeks to empower listeners to navigate their emotional world with greater awareness and intentionality. Whether you're seeking solace in turbulent times or simply aiming to deepen your emotional understanding, this episode offers a transformative perspective on embracing and mastering the dance of our emotions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, Noah delves into the concept of emotional equanimity, likening it to the tale of monk Sona who learned to maintain a balanced approach to life's challenges, akin to finely tuning a musical instrument. Drawing from the Mangala Sutta and Nassim Nicholas Taleb's "Anti-Fragile," the episode emphasizes the value of antifragility, where challenges can enhance our emotional resilience, much like an astronaut needing physical stress to prevent muscle atrophy in space. Noah offers five tips for practicing emotional equanimity and underscores that true growth arises from facing, not avoiding, life's storms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Secular Buddhism Podcast, a globally top-ranked Buddhist show. Today, best-selling author and host Noah Rasheta delves into the topic of Tilopa's Six Words of Advice. Tilopa's 'Six Words of Advice' provide meditation guidance for people of all levels, including both beginners and experienced meditators. Despite their apparent simplicity, these six instructions hold deep meanings. One can spend a lifetime studying these simple instructions and still uncover new insights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prepare to step onto a path of transformation and liberation as we unravel the most fundamental teachings of Buddhism - the Four Noble Truths. I'll break down each of these foundational truths, venturing into the realm of life's inherent suffering, understanding its root cause, and most significantly, the very possibility of liberation from this suffering by letting go of craving and attachment.The first Noble Truth states that life is characterized by suffering or dissatisfaction, the second Noble Truth states that the cause of suffering is clinging or craving, driven by ignorance of the true nature of reality, the third Noble Truth is that it is possible to be free from suffering by letting go of craving and attachment, and the fourth Noble Truth is that there is a path that leads to the complete liberation from suffering, known as the Eightfold Path or the Middle Way Path. Understanding the Four Noble Truths is the first step to awakening and liberation in Buddhism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the practice of self-kindness, we often overlook a profound truth: our relationship with ourselves sets the tone for our relationship with others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I delve deeper into how meditation acts as a massive pause button for the cycle of habitual reactivity. I'll explore beliefs, thoughts, emotions, feelings, actions, and consequences, discussing how they influence our lives and the lives of others. We'll look at how we can cultivate skillful habits through meditation or mindfulness. By taking a pause from our habitual ways of living, we can achieve powerful self-reflection and lasting change.We also examine the two primary types of meditation - fixed attention and open awareness - and why it's essential to practice both to create the Middle Way.So, take a break from your busy life and give this episode a listen! Let me explain how hitting the pause button in the cycle of reactivity can lead to a more balanced life. Make sure to stay tuned for my upcoming online course, where I'll share specific techniques for both types of meditation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"All experience is preceded by mind"; that is to say, our mind determines whether or not we suffer. Knowing that we can't escape the consequences of our actions and that actions originate with thoughts, this episode will explore how and why we should practice noticing our thoughts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is episode #178. The topic I have in mind for today is the teaching of "The Four Investigations." This is a teaching that comes from the Yogachara school of Buddhism. According to Yogachara teachings, the key to understanding reality is to understand the mind. There are four investigations we can explore that are intended to help us to have a correct view or understanding of reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I'll share the audio from an interview I did on the 10,000 heroes podcast. You can find the episode here: https://pod.link/1565667158/episode/f438b75d2dfc86e40c526270a4cd4975Are you interested in trekking with me to Everest Base Camp? Learn more at mindfultrekking.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first episode of 2023, I will talk about propensities and our relationship to our propensities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the two truths?There is the Truth of how things really are, and the truth of how things seem to be. These are sometimes referred to as Absolute truth and Relative truth. Relative truths are always dependent on HOW we perceive them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deep sense of unsatisfactoriness arises anytime we want to be other than how we are. It takes skillful effort to BE WHATEVER WE ALREADY ARE. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on the process of befriending our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and ultimately ourselves. "No one to be""Nothing to do""Nowhere to go"Some of the Buddhist concepts/topics shared in this episode:EmptinessSignlessnessFormlessnessSuffering/UnsatisfactorinessInterdependent co-arisingImpermanenceTo join our online community, visit secularbuddhism.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unsatisfactoriness exists and it has a cause. What is the cause of unsatisfactoriness? In this episode, I will talk about craving and the role it plays in how we feel about life.

Psychological acceptance is "the active embracing of subjective experience, particularly distressing experiences." In this episode, I will discuss practicing acceptance and using the OODA loop as decision-making tools to help us act more skillfully during difficult or stressful times.

Something whole is comprised of ALL its undiminished parts or elements. We are a combination of our body and mind (hardware and software). The key to feeling whole is to understand and embrace all of the parts that make us who we are.

The 5 remembrances are wake-up calls that help us to see more clearly, the nature of reality. They are wake-up calls that help us to live more intentionally and skillfully.

In this episode, I will share my thoughts about the 84,000 gates and the notion of Emptiness. In the last 2 episodes, I shared my thoughts around Signlessness and Aimlessness and now I will share my thoughts around Emptiness.

The three doors of liberation refer to Formlessless, Signlessness, and Aimlessness. In this episode, I will talk about signlessness and what this teaching means to me and how we can practice signlessness in our day-to-day lives.

The three doors of liberation refer to Formlessless, Signlessness, and Aimlessness. In this episode, I will talk about Aimlessness and what this teaching means to me.

Craving for and attachment to feelings is what leads to suffering; on the flip side of that, awareness and understanding of our feelings can lead to Enlightenment. In this episode, I will share my thoughts around the Buddhist concept of feelings tones / Vedana.

"A student of Buddhism tries to unlearn something every day." What does it mean to "unlearn"? In this episode, I will share my thoughts around the notion of learning and unlearning in the context of practicing Buddhism.

One of the final teachings the Buddha gave, had to do with becoming an island unto yourself. In a way, he was telling his followers that it was time to leave the nest and to take refuge in themselves. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this teaching.

In this episode, I will talk about the story of Sundari, an ascetic who was killed in an attempt to frame Sidhartha and bring dishonor to him and his followers. How the Buddha handled this ordeal sheds light on the Buddhist approach to words and accusations.

The games we play...some thoughts about Right View. Thich Nhat Hanh says: "Our happiness and the happiness of those around us depend on our degree of Right View. Touching reality deeply -- knowing what is going on inside and outside of ourselves -- is the way to liberate ourselves from the suffering that is caused by wrong perceptions. Right View is not an ideology, a system, or even a path. It is the insight we have into the reality of life, a living insight that fills us with understanding, peace, and love."

The backwards law proposes that the more we chase after something, the more difficult it becomes to catch it and the more disappointed we feel. In other words, the harder we try, the less likely we are to succeed.

In a culture that tends to feel gratitude for only the pleasant things in our life, the Buddhist approach is to feel gratitude for all things, even the unpleasant ones. Gratitude develops patience and patience is an antidote to the poison of greed.

The nature of reality is that things come together and things fall apart and then things come together and things fall apart and that cycle goes on and on. Instead of running from the difficulties and the pain, the Buddhist approach is to move toward the painful situations and become intimate with them.

Mara is "the personification of the forces antagonistic to enlightenment." Mara wants to be feared. We tend to run from the things that we fear, but what happens when we stop running and we look at Mara and say "I see you, Mara!" In this episode, I will share my thoughts about the interaction between the Buddha and Mara.

Dependent Origination is a Buddhist notion that is common among all schools of Buddhism. It's the doctrine that states that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena. In other words, "this is because that is and this is not because that is not". In this episode, I will share my thoughts about how this concept can be beneficial in our day-to-day lives.

Within any given discipline, we all have a circle of skills. In order to grow the circle of skills, we need to do things that are just outside the circle and once we master a new skill, that circle grows. The key to safely growing the circle is to go slowly and not attempt skills that are too far outside the current circle we have. I believe this is also the case with how we can approach Mindfulness practice.

In this episode, I will talk about "The First Meditation" a story about an experience that Siddhartha (the Buddha) had when he was 9 years old. I believe this experience shaped his understanding of the importance of experiential vs intellectual understanding and I believe there are some good lessons to be learned by us as we hear this story.

It can be easy to get caught up "in the thick of thin things" when our perspective is too narrow or zoomed in. When we take the long view, we learn to zoom out and see things from a different perspective. In this podcast episode, I will talk about taking the long view and also discuss the parable of the lute and the analogy of tuning the strings of an instrument.