The Wisdom of Not Knowing

The Wisdom of Not Knowing

Author: Pragmatic Buddhism December 26, 2025 Duration: 9:54

We often move through life thinking we know what we’re seeing—our surroundings, other people, even ourselves. Joe from the Columbus sangha explores how this habit limits perception, connection, and compassion. Drawing from the Heart Sutra and Zen practice, he shows how “not knowing” can become a doorway to presence and wonder.


Pragmatic Buddhism offers a space for down-to-earth Dharma talks, mindful reflections, and unscripted conversations. It’s for anyone curious about how ancient insight meets the complexities of modern living. Rather than presenting teachings in isolation, this podcast weaves Buddhist principles together with perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, and ordinary lived experience. You’ll hear discussions that feel like a genuine exploration, not a lecture, focusing on how these ideas actually function in daily life. The tone is accessible, whether you’re just beginning to explore meditation or have been practicing for years. Each episode is an invitation to cultivate a more authentic awareness and a deeper sense of compassionate acceptance, without pretense or dogma. The aim is to make the path practical, examining how we navigate relationships, work, and internal challenges with a clearer, more grounded perspective. This isn’t about abstract philosophy; it’s about the tangible application of wisdom. Tune in for a thoughtful, meandering conversation that values curiosity over certainty, and finds the profound within the everyday. The Pragmatic Buddhism podcast serves as a companion for integrating these reflections into your own journey, one honest conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 37

Pragmatic Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Enlightenment as a Verb: Living the Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:07
What if enlightenment wasn’t something you achieved once and for all, but something you do? In this talk, Danielle discusses awakening with the St Louis sangha as a living, ongoing process. Drawing from Buddhist teaching…
Realization: What Enlightenment Really Means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Enlightenment can sound mysterious, even unreachable. But in Buddhism, realization isn’t about becoming perfect — it’s about seeing clearly. In this conversation with the St Louis sangha, Danielle unpacks what realizatio…
Not-Self: Letting Go of the Story of “Me” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:01
What if the “self” you defend, protect, and try to perfect isn’t as solid as it seems? In this conversation with the St. Louis sangha, Danielle unpacks the Buddhist teaching of not-self (anatta), the third of the Three M…
Living with Life’s Discontent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
We all want to avoid pain, boredom, and disappointment but these feelings are part of life. In Buddhism, this is called dukkha, the second of the Three Marks of Existence. In this conversation with the St. Louis sangha,…
Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s the Point [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
Everything changes yet we often resist it. In this episode of Pragmatic Buddhism, Danielle explores the Buddhist teaching of impermanence and why embracing change can bring freedom from fear and clinging. Recorded live w…
Seeing Clearly: The Three Marks of Existence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Everything changes. Stress is part of life. And the “self” isn’t as solid as it seems. In this opening episode of Pragmatic Buddhism, sociologist and Buddhist teacher Danielle joins the St. Louis sangha to explore the Th…