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Secular Buddhism

141 - Smarter Not Harder

Sep 30, 2020
Exploring the concept of skillful effort in Buddhism and its application in life. Discussing challenges and reflections in learning to fly. Emphasizing the balance between effort and rest for effective learning. Finding the skillful amount of effort in meditation and life. Importance of mindfulness and intention in our efforts.
17:56

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Skillful effort emphasizes being skillful rather than right or wrong, showcasing the importance of finding the right balance of effort for individual circumstances in various aspects of life.
  • Personal introspection and understanding one's own capacities and limitations are crucial in determining what constitutes skillful effort in different areas of life, ultimately leading to better outcomes and personal growth.

Deep dives

The Concept of Skillful Effort

In this podcast episode, the host discusses the concept of skillful effort in Buddhism. He explains that the eightfold path, which is followed in Buddhism, includes the aspect of right effort. The host prefers the term skillful effort as it emphasizes the idea of being skillful rather than right or wrong. He shares a personal experience of teaching a 67-year-old student with Parkinson's disease how to fly a paramotor. The student's ability to understand his limitations and put in the right amount of effort showcased skillful effort. The host draws a parallel between skillful effort in various aspects of life, such as meditation practice, parenting, and work, highlighting the importance of finding the right balance of effort for individual circumstances.

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