There go my plans!

There go my plans!

Author: Pod Pond August 16, 2021 Duration: 30:04

Cal: @intralocal

Dougie: @d0ug7a5


Issue:

Everything is changing all the time! Cal and Dougie talk about letting go in the face of disappointment and we have a tough listener question about the shootings in Plymouth and the turmoil in Afghanistan.


Concept:

The Three Universal Truths 

1. Nothing is lost in the universe

2. Everything Changes

3. The Law of Cause and Effect


The Four Noble Truths

2. Suffering is caused by our own clinging

3. That type of suffering can be avoided


Upādāna - clinging


Parables:

A man traveling along a path came to a great expanse of water. As he stood on the shore, he realized there were dangers and discomforts all about. But the other shore appeared safe and inviting. The man looked for a boat or a bridge and found neither. But with great effort he gathered grass, twigs and branches and tied them all together to make a simple raft. Relying on the raft to keep himself afloat, the man paddled with his hands and feet and reached the safety of the other shore. He could continue his journey on dry land.


Now, what would he do with his makeshift raft? Would he drag it along with him or leave it behind? He would leave it, the Buddha said. Then the Buddha explained that the dharma is like a raft. It is useful for crossing over but not for holding onto, he said.


Links:

https://bit.ly/3et254J Learn Religions: The Buddha's Raft Parable

An explanation of the raft parable, including a couple of different interpretations


https://bit.ly/2VRSJZN Medium: Buddha on Worrying

A long-read on the benefits of remaining present in the moment to deal with your problems rather than losing yourself to worry


https://bit.ly/3iyAxfB Medium: 5 Buddhist Lessons On Leaning Into Change & Uncertainty To End Suffering

A more action-oriented breakdown of how to take control in moments of crisis


https://bit.ly/3wP229r UNHCR: The Buddhist Core Values and Perspectives for Protection Challenges: Faith and Protection

A quite in-depth factsheet that will tell you everything you need to know if you skipped series 1 ;)


Ever find yourself curious about mindfulness or meditation but immediately turned off by any mention of the supernatural or dogma? That’s exactly the space where Secular Buddhism for Skeptical Atheists lives. Hosts Cal Hoffman and Dougie Robertson, from Pod Pond, have built a conversation for those who value evidence and rational thought but are still drawn to the practical, psychological insights found in Buddhist philosophy. They strip away centuries of cultural and religious ornamentation to examine the core ideas: impermanence, suffering, and the self, all through a contemporary, fact-based lens. In each episode, you’ll hear a straightforward breakdown of these concepts, discussing how they apply to modern stressors, relationships, and the general pursuit of a more grounded, contented life. The tone is more like a thoughtful chat between friends than a lecture, often punctuated with laughter and genuine curiosity. This isn’t about converting anyone; it’s about exploring whether these ancient tools can work in a secular toolkit for living well. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at spiritual jargon but wondered if there was something useful underneath, this podcast offers a refreshing, no-nonsense place to start that exploration.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 12

Secular Buddhism for Skeptical Atheists
Podcast Episodes
"Good is a point of view, Anakin..." [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:36
Socials! @intralocal @d0ug7a5 podpondpods@gmail.com In Buddhism, the main duality considered is generally "suffering" and "enlightenment". Quite different to "good" and "evil" or the "good" and "bad" lens through which w…
#bekind - A guide to metta loving kindness meditation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:04
Socials, you say!? @intralocal @d0ug7a5 podpondpods@gmail.com Issue: - The traditional Buddhist notion of "metta" is often translated as 'loving kindness' or 'compassion'. If you do Headspace meditations and do visualisa…
Dougie's Twitter beef! THEY SAID WHAT!? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:11
Socials: @d0ug7a5 @intralocalNews and social media are more divisive than ever. Covid has exposed a lot of mis- and disinformation and conspiracy theorists. It's a natural response to be reactive and combative. This is l…
Not your problem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
With so much flux right now, the world can feel like it's getting on top of us. How many of these problems are actually truly ours? Are we defined by our problems? Concepts:Ego (See season 1 episode Big Ego)Inner and out…
Why me? :( [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
Cal: @intralocalDougie: @d0ug7a5A lot of people have found themselves suffering from conditions and situations they didn't expect, such as long covid, the loss of many loved ones, other health issues and personal catastr…
Intro bonus: Death. And how to move on* [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:11
*Spoiler - we never really do move on. Recorded before the covid-19 pandemic hit the West hard, but more relevant now than ever, Dougie and Cal examine what it means to accept the death of a loved one, as well as how to…
Intro 4: The Science of Meditation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:32
Mindfulness - what's it all about? Turns out its about your brain. Dougie and Cal explore mindfulness, meditation, and the observable changes that they can bring about in the human body.
Intro 3: Anxious? The world doesn't revolve around you! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:50
...or: how to stay sane in the apocalypse! Cal and Dougie take apart their own neuroses and put their brains back together using buddhist principles and practical techniques.
Intro 2: Karma's a Bitch, So Don't Be One! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
What goes around comes around... or does it? Cal and Dougie take a look at one of Buddhism's best-known ideas - the principle of Karma, and the Eightfold Path.
Intro 1: Big Ego? How To Get Over Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:39
Cal and Dougie explore the Four Noble Truths, what suffering is and how to avoid it (clue: we can't) and consider what we can do to start questioning the stories we tell ourselves. Can we be more flexible about how we pe…