In this episode, Noah reflects on the heaviness of living in a world filled with violence, hatred, and suffering. From school shootings to war and personal experiences of pain, he explores the Buddhist teaching of the three poisons: ignorance, greed, and hatred, and how they manifest both globally and within our own hearts.

Through stories, analogies, and practical practices, Noah reminds us that peace is not created from the top down but from the inside out. By transforming our own inner war with wisdom, gratitude, and loving-kindness, we ripple peace outward into our families, communities, and ultimately the world.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to “end the war within” and how small choices can make a big difference, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete tools to begin cultivating peace, one moment, one choice, one heart at a time.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue our journey through the Eightfold Path by exploring Right Action—the fourth step on the path to mindful living. Rather than a rigid set of moral rules, Right Action is about learning to engage with life skillfully, making choices that reduce unnecessary suffering for ourselves and others.

Through the story of a paragliding mishap, we'll examine how our actions, whether big or small, shape our daily experiences. We'll discuss how unskillful actions often arise from craving, aversion, or delusion, and how cultivating awareness allows us to respond more wisely to life’s challenges.

We’ll also reflect on traditional Buddhist guidelines—abstaining from taking life, taking what is not given, and sexual misconduct—and reframe them as practical tools for fostering respect, reducing harm, and nurturing relationships.

This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and ask: “Is this action skillful? Am I using the right tool for this moment?” Every decision becomes an opportunity to practice Right Action and to live with greater clarity, presence, and compassion.

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In this special interview episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow traveler on the path, Heather Schenck. Many of you may recognize Heather from our online community—she’s been part of our Sangha since 2020. What began as a personal journey through suffering and self-inquiry has now culminated in the release of her first book, Unbecoming Ourselves.

Heather shares the deeply personal story behind her book—how her identity as a nurse, mother, and “good person” created a cycle of striving and self-judgment, and how Buddhist teachings like groundlessness, impermanence, and the nature of suffering helped her begin to loosen her grip on those labels. Together, we explore the difference between who we are and who we think we should be, and how compassion, curiosity, and mindfulness can guide us back to a more authentic way of being.

We also talk about the sneaky nature of all-pervasive suffering, how perfectionism often disguises itself as growth, and how to skillfully work with the inner narrator many of us carry. Whether you’ve struggled with self-worth, identity, or perfectionism, this conversation offers powerful insights and gentle encouragement to soften around the stories we tell ourselves.

Heather’s book Unbecoming Ourselves is available now on Amazon. Learn more about her work and upcoming courses at aheartawakened.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Harari, I explore the nature of truth and how we relate to it in our everyday lives.

I talk about three distinct types of truth—objective, subjective, and intersubjective—and how understanding these can help us develop a more skillful and compassionate view of reality. Using analogies like traffic lights, tinted glasses, and even Tetris blocks, I examine how Right View isn’t about having the “correct” opinion, but about recognizing our perspectives and holding them with humility and curiosity.

This episode is an invitation to look more closely at how we see the world—and how a clearer view can help reduce suffering for ourselves and others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.