Don't use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist. Use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
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.
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16:41
199 - A Candle in the Darkness
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.
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31:22
198 - Between What Was and What Will Be
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.
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27:23
197 - A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism
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.
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59:48
196 - Enlightenment Is the Path, Not the Destination
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.
Don't use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist. Use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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