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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.

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