218 - Right Concentration

218 - Right Concentration

Author: Noah Rasheta March 20, 2026 Duration: 33:43
Secular Buddhism
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityBuddhismHealthSpirituality

In this episode, I explore skillful concentration, the final aspect of the Eightfold Path, using a road trip analogy where concentration is like having steady hands on the wheel. I clarify that concentration is distinct from mindfulness, doesn't require hours of meditation, and is characterized by joy, not seriousness. I discuss the five hindrances—sensory desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt—as obstacles to concentration, likening them to road hazards, and explain how to work with them by recognizing them as information. I also touch upon the jhanas as progressive states of concentration, from joy to equanimity, and offer practical advice on developing concentration by gradually increasing focus time, choosing an object of attention, and gently redirecting the mind when it wanders, emphasizing that concentration is a skill cultivated through consistent, gentle effort rather than force.

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

Official website RSS
Secular Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
31 - The Fear Of Uncertainty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:04
Why do we fear uncertainty? In this episode, I will discuss how we are hardwired to fear the unknown and how that fear affects our quality of life in the present moment. The problem isn't that there is uncertainty in lif…
30 - Why Do I Do This? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:03
Society tends to want to put labels on people, are you a this or a that? Are you one of us or one of them? These labels can be useful to describe how we are but not who we are. I've felt pressure recently to define what…
29 - What Happens When We Die? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:13
What happens when we die? This is a common question I hear when I'm teaching workshops or seminars. The short answer is "change". Change is what happens when we die. In this episode, I will discuss the Buddhist perspecti…
28 - Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:26
Have you ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard place? It's difficult to be aware while we're experiencing difficulties and yet that is the very moment that awareness can change everything for us. In this short episod…
27 - Understanding Non-Attachment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:21
What does it mean to practice non-attachment? Rather than thinking of non-attachment as not attaching to things, think of it as not allowing things to own you. What things own you? Those are the things you're attached to…
26 - Want to be happy? Practice Gratitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:16
Gratitude is the key to happiness but gratitude requires practice. In this episode, I will discuss how we can develop a practice of gratitude. “The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it i…
25 - Is Buddhism A Religion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:27
One of the most common questions I hear when I'm teaching is "Is Buddhism a Religion?" People are typically expecting a simple "yes" or "no" but I've found that the answer is a bit more complex than that. In this episode…
24 - The Journey Is The Goal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
Life is a journey and the journey is the goal. What would life be like if we did things for the sake of doing them? In this episode, I will explore the idea of learning to enjoy the journey instead of always focusing on…
23 - The Illusion Of Free Will [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
We want to win and we don't want to lose. The problem is that there is no winning without losing. There is no good without bad, no right without wrong. This is the basic understanding of non-duality. We are free to be wh…
22 - Dealing With Difficult Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:50
In life, difficulties arise. This is a universal aspect of the human experience. Knowing this, how do we deal with difficult emotions? We don't like feeling angry, sad, or afraid, but these are normal and natural emotion…

«1...1617181920212223»