9 - Carrots & Sticks

9 - Carrots & Sticks

Author: Noah Rasheta March 8, 2016 Duration: 22:28
In this episode, I'll discuss how our evolutionary hardwiring causes us to chase after carrots and avoid getting hit with sticks. This constant seeking and avoiding can make it difficult to live authentic lives. We tend to focus on showing a good front and hiding any aspect of ourselves that we deem unworthy. The Japanese haiku "showing front, showing back, maple leaves fall" teaches us to be vulnerable and authentic. I hope you enjoy this episode.

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
79 - The Blind Leading The Blind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
In a reality that is continually changing, our views are limited in space and time. The result is that we are essentially the blind leading the blind. In this episode, I will discuss the teaching of the blind men and the…
78 - No Hope No Fear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:00
Suffering arises when we want things to be other than how they are. Where there is hope, there is fear and where there is fear there is hope. They are like two sides of the same coin. When we feel uneasy, we get restless…
77 - Embracing Rebellion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
"I think of mindfulness meditation as almost a rebellion against natural selection...Natural selection sets our agenda, and Buddhism says, 'We don't have to play this game." In this episode, I will discuss the concept of…
76 - Patience With Ourselves, Others, And Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
What does it mean to be patient with ourselves, others, and life? How do we practice patience? Is Mindfulness practice for everyone? These are a few of the questions and ideas I will explore in this podcast episode. I ho…
75 - Everyday Buddhism Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:02
This podcast episode is the audio of a recent interview I did on the Everyday Buddhism podcast with my friend Wendy. If you enjoy this podcast episode, check out the Everyday Buddhism Podcast on your favorite podcasting…
74 - Goals, Relationships, and Non-Attachment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
If we're practicing non-attachment, how should we approach things like goals and relationships? Should we avoid such things? I don't think so. Goals are great and so are relationships. So how should we approach goals and…
73 - What Moves Us? The 5 Core Social Motives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:34
What Moves Us? Why do we fear rejection? Why are we so motivated to want to belong? In this episode, I will discuss the 5 core social motives of Belonging, Understanding, Control, Enhancing Self, and Trust as presented b…
72 - Yanny Or Laurel? - A Lesson in Mindful Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:00
In this episode, I will share an audio clip that's gone viral where some people hear the word "yanny" and others hear the word "laurel". I will also discuss 6 tips to help us be more mindful of how we communicate.Explore…
71 - Breaking The Chain Of Reactivity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:55
At any given moment, we’re all acting upon what has been set in motion by others. A central teaching of Buddhism is that we can pause and break the cycle of reactivity. We can learn to be more skillful in how we contribu…
70 - Beware Of The Guru Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:59
In this episode, I will discuss my personal views about having a Guru/teacher. In order to learn something new or to develop a new skill, it can be helpful and wise to have the guidance and advice of a teacher but it can…