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.


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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
158 - I See You Mara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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157 - This Is Because That Is [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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156 - Circle Of Skills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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155 - The First Meditation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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154 - Taking The Long View [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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153 - The Beauty Of Not Knowing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Zen Master Seung Sahn said "I do not teach Buddhism. I only teach don't know." The beauty of not knowing arises when we understand that reality is unknowable as a complete picture. First, because it's always changing, an…
152 - A Liberated State Of Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Liberation is not a destination we strive to reach, it's a state of mind that is available to us right here and right now. When we fully understand the reality of emptiness, signlessness, and aimlessness, we become liber…
151 - Observation and Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:13
Observation in Buddhist practice is an active thing, it's not passive and it's not a form of resignation. The skilled observer, observes precisely in order to be able to act more skillfully.Explore more at eightfoldpath.…
150 - Buddha Nature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:50
In this podcast episode, I share my thoughts about "Buddha nature" and what it means to me. I also share the story of the little rock in my backyard that had a Buddha painted on the rock. When the paint started to fade,…
149 - Firsts And Lasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:10
Every moment that arises is simultaneously the first time and last time that moment exists. I used to value moments based on their pleasantness or unpleasantness but now I see the beauty of the uniqueness of each moment.…