Secular Buddhism

In this episode, I talk to Andy Chaleff about his book Dying to Live, which explores our societal discomfort with death and how confronting mortality can lead to a more meaningful life. We discuss the "3 AM panic" of existential dread, the concept of "little deaths" as moments of letting go of identity and attachment, and the importance of "sitting with the question" rather than seeking definitive answers. Andy shares practical insights on how embracing uncertainty and practicing presence, even in difficult moments, can help us live more fully and authentically, transforming our relationship with life by accepting the inevitability of death.
Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching.
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In this episode, I celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Secular Buddhism podcast by announcing a new AI-powered website, EightfoldPath.com, which serves as a modern application of the Buddhist concept of skillful means. Skillful means, or upaya, is the idea that teachings should adapt to meet individuals where they are, using whatever tools or methods are most effective for reducing suffering and cultivating wisdom. Throughout history, technologies like writing, the printing press, and the internet have served as skillful means for transmitting Buddhist teachings, and now artificial intelligence is the latest iteration. The new website features "Noah AI," a tool trained on all my past content, acting as a conversational thinking partner to make these ancient insights more accessible and interactive for modern learners, emphasizing that the technology is simply a vehicle for the teachings, not the teachings themselves. Learn more at eightfoldpath.com

The podcast celebrates its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of making Buddhist teachings accessible through modern technology.
The concept of "skillful means" (upaya) is central, emphasizing the adaptation of teaching methods to individual needs and situations, a principle applied throughout Buddhist history with the advent of writing, printing, and digital media.
A new AI-powered website, EightfoldPath.com, has been launched, featuring "Noah AI," a tool trained on all of Noah Rasheta's content to serve as a conversational thinking partner for exploring Buddhist teachings.
The website offers free access to transcribed podcast episodes, courses, and the AI tool, with additional benefits for supporters, aiming to make wisdom and compassion more accessible.
The shift to EightfoldPath.com signifies a broader scope beyond "secular Buddhism," focusing on the universal "Eightfold Path" as the core of the teachings, regardless of labels.
Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are we so uncomfortable with not knowing? We often race toward any answer, even a bad one, just to escape the anxiety of uncertainty. This episode explores the strange and profound world of Zen koans.
Using the powerful story of the nun Chiyono and her breaking water pail ("No water, no moon"), Noah explains that koans are not intellectual puzzles to be "solved." Instead, they are a practice for developing a "don't-know mind" and building our tolerance for ambiguity.
Learn how sitting with confusion can be the most valuable preparation for the inevitable moments of groundlessness in real life. This episode is an invitation to stop trying to "get it" and instead embrace the wisdom that emerges from uncertainty.
Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Noah reflects on the heaviness of living in a world filled with violence, hatred, and suffering. From school shootings to war and personal experiences of pain, he explores the Buddhist teaching of the three poisons: ignorance, greed, and hatred, and how they manifest both globally and within our own hearts.

Through stories, analogies, and practical practices, Noah reminds us that peace is not created from the top down but from the inside out. By transforming our own inner war with wisdom, gratitude, and loving-kindness, we ripple peace outward into our families, communities, and ultimately the world.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to “end the war within” and how small choices can make a big difference, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete tools to begin cultivating peace, one moment, one choice, one heart at a time.
Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Noah explores Right Livelihood, the next step on the Eightfold Path. More than just avoiding harmful professions, Right Livelihood invites us to reflect on how our work shapes who we are and how we show up in the world. Noah shares personal stories, analogies, and practical questions to consider, such as: Does my work align with my values? Does it cultivate compassion and presence, or leave me depleted and divided? Whether you love your job, dislike it, or are somewhere in between, this talk reframes livelihood as not about finding the “perfect” career, but about engaging skillfully with the conditions of life and bringing mindfulness into how we work every day.
Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.