Secular Buddhism

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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