198 - Between What Was and What Will Be

198 - Between What Was and What Will Be

Author: Noah Rasheta March 2, 2025 Duration: 27:23

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.

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.


Noah Rasheta hosts Secular Buddhism, a space where ancient teachings meet a modern, questioning mind. This isn't about ritual or dogma, but about exploring the practical philosophy at the heart of Buddhist thought. Each episode takes a core concept-like impermanence, suffering, or mindfulness-and examines it through a secular lens, asking how these ideas can resonate with our contemporary lives regardless of personal belief. You'll hear straightforward discussions that strip away cultural and religious trappings to focus on actionable wisdom. The aim is to make these teachings accessible and relevant, offering tools for cultivating resilience, compassion, and a clearer understanding of oneself in a complex world. Whether you're navigating stress, seeking ethical frameworks, or simply curious about a philosophy of mind, this podcast provides thoughtful commentary that connects ancient insight to everyday experience. Tune in for a grounded, conversational approach to finding calm and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 222

Secular Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
168 - Signlessness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:21
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-da…
167 - Aimlessness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:20
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.Explore more at eightfoldpath.com: full transcripts, g…
166 - Welcoming The Unwanted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:47
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 Bud…
165 - Unlearning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:06
"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.E…
164 - Thrown Out Of The Nest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:00
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…
163 - Sticks And Stones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
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 Buddh…
162 - The Games We Play [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
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…
161 - The Backwards Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
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.Explore…
160 - Gratitude And Patience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:10
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 anti…
159 - When Things Fall Apart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:00
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 Buddh…