178 - The Four Investigations

178 - The Four Investigations

Author: Noah Rasheta January 31, 2023 Duration: 19:53

This is episode #178. The topic I have in mind for today is the teaching of "The Four Investigations." This is a teaching that comes from the Yogachara school of Buddhism. According to Yogachara teachings, the key to understanding reality is to understand the mind. There are four investigations we can explore that are intended to help us to have a correct view or understanding of reality.

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 podcast that explores Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness, and meditation from a non-religious, practical perspective. The discussions are grounded in everyday life, focusing on how ancient ideas can address modern challenges in relationships, work, and personal growth. Rather than promoting conversion, the core idea is to use these insights to become a more mindful and compassionate version of yourself, whatever your background may be. Episodes often weave together themes from philosophy, psychology, and culture, examining concepts like impermanence, non-attachment, and suffering in an accessible way. Listeners will find a thoughtful, conversational tone that demystifies complex topics, making them relevant for anyone interested in spirituality, ethics, or simply living with greater intention. This isn't about rituals or dogma; it's about actionable wisdom. The Secular Buddhism podcast consistently returns to that central, liberating premise: take what is useful to deepen your own human experience, leaving the rest behind.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 222

Secular Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
118 - Revisiting The Parable Of The Raft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:28
The Buddha said, "I will teach you the Dhamma compared to a raft, for the purpose of crossing over, not for the purpose of holding onto." Everything in Buddhism, including Buddhism itself is a tool, a means to an end, bu…
117 - Noble Silence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Noble Silence is a term attributed to the Buddha for his response to certain questions about reality. When it came to the big unanswerable questions, the Buddha was notably silent. In this podcast episode, I will discuss…
116 - People Who Don't Exist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
We all have the tendency to make a picture of reality and of other people. It's like we paint a portrait and then believe that this portrait is a 100% accurate depiction of the real person we painted and we don't realize…
115 - Unhooking Habitual Patterns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:50
What are the things that hook us? In our quest to understand ourselves and to become a better whatever we already are, it’s extremely beneficial to be capable of recognizing our attachments and knowing what it is that ho…
114 - Beware Of Falling Rocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
In this podcast episode, I will discuss the idea of attachment in relation to the Buddhist notion of groundlessness. I will discuss how our strong attachment to things can often cause more discomfort than the comfort we…
113 - Right Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
How can we communicate more skillfully? In this podcast episode, I will discuss "right speech", one of the points on the eightfold path. I will discuss three different communication styles: passive, aggressive, and asser…
112 - The Importance Of Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
In this podcast episode, I will discuss the Buddhist teaching of "taking refuge" and talk about the teaching of the three jewels. I will discuss in greater detail how I hope to build an online community where we can prac…
111 - Resisting Our Demons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:00
In this podcast episode, I will discuss the Zen Koan titled "The Real Miracle". I will also share the story/teaching of Milarepa and the Demons he resisted in his cave and how that story can help us with our own demons.…
110 - Unhappily Headed Towards Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
Often we find ourselves unhappily headed towards happiness. Thinking that once we arrive, we will suddenly not be how we've been all along. In this podcast episode, I will talk about Bodhidharma's beard and the koan that…
109 - Finding Your True Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
What happens when we break through the conceptual fog that often blinds us from seeing ourselves as we really are? In this podcast episode, I will talk about the idea of finding your true self. I will also discuss a few…