214 - Skillful Means (10-Year Anniversary Episode)

214 - Skillful Means (10-Year Anniversary Episode)

Author: Noah Rasheta December 19, 2025 Duration: 25:26

In this episode, I celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Secular Buddhism podcast by announcing a new AI-powered website, EightfoldPath.com, which serves as a modern application of the Buddhist concept of skillful means. Skillful means, or upaya, is the idea that teachings should adapt to meet individuals where they are, using whatever tools or methods are most effective for reducing suffering and cultivating wisdom. Throughout history, technologies like writing, the printing press, and the internet have served as skillful means for transmitting Buddhist teachings, and now artificial intelligence is the latest iteration. The new website features "Noah AI," a tool trained on all my past content, acting as a conversational thinking partner to make these ancient insights more accessible and interactive for modern learners, emphasizing that the technology is simply a vehicle for the teachings, not the teachings themselves. Learn more at eightfoldpath.com


  • The podcast celebrates its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of making Buddhist teachings accessible through modern technology.
  • The concept of "skillful means" (upaya) is central, emphasizing the adaptation of teaching methods to individual needs and situations, a principle applied throughout Buddhist history with the advent of writing, printing, and digital media.
  • A new AI-powered website, EightfoldPath.com, has been launched, featuring "Noah AI," a tool trained on all of Noah Rasheta's content to serve as a conversational thinking partner for exploring Buddhist teachings.
  • The website offers free access to transcribed podcast episodes, courses, and the AI tool, with additional benefits for supporters, aiming to make wisdom and compassion more accessible.
  • The shift to EightfoldPath.com signifies a broader scope beyond "secular Buddhism," focusing on the universal "Eightfold Path" as the core of the teachings, regardless of labels.

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
208 - Right Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:27
In this episode, we continue our journey through the Eightfold Path by exploring Right Speech. More than just speaking truthfully or avoiding gossip, Right Speech is a mindfulness practice—an invitation to reflect on how…
207 - Be a Lamp Unto Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:31
In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, I explore what it means to “be a lamp unto yourself.” Drawing from personal stories, including my time teaching paragliding, and Buddhist teachings on wisdom, I reflect on…
206 - Right Intention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:55
In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Eightfold Path by diving into the second aspect of wisdom—Right Intention. We explore how intention functions like a compass, helping us navigate life with purpose and…
205 - Right View [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
In this episode, I share the audio recording of a Dharma talk I gave during one of our Sunday Zoom calls. The topic is Right View, the first step on the Buddhist Eightfold Path. Inspired by the book Nexus by Yuval Noah H…
204 - Beyond Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:59
What is the difference between happiness and joy, and how can we experience greater contentment, even when life doesn’t go as planned? In this episode, I explore the Buddhist perspectives and modern insights that reveal…
203 - The Art of Purposelessness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:20
In this episode, I explore the Buddhist teaching of aimlessness, one of the Three Doors of Liberation, through personal reflection and the lens of my son’s journey into adulthood. What if life doesn’t need a fixed purpos…
202 - Who's Driving the Car? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:04
In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah explores the Buddhist teaching of no-self through the powerful metaphor of a car ride. Who—or what—is really in control as we navigate our lives? Drawing from the fiv…
201 - The Empty Boat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:37
In this episode, I explore the parable of The Empty Boat and how it serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the way we react to life’s inevitable bumps (especially those caused by others). Drawing from Taoist and…
200 - The Music of Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:41
In this episode of The Secular Buddhism Podcast, I reflect on an experience at a dance competition that led me to deeply consider connection, perception, and the way we assign meaning to our experiences. As I watched dan…
199 - A Candle in the Darkness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:22
In times of uncertainty and suffering, many of us find ourselves asking: What can I do? The weight of the world’s challenges—humanitarian crises, injustice, personal struggles—can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering…