Hello and welcome to another episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast.

This is episode number 86.

I am your host Noah Rasheda.

Today I'm talking about listening to understand.

Before I jump into that, keep in mind the Dalai Lama's advice

to not use what you learned from Buddhism.

To be a Buddhist, use it to be a better whatever you already are.

I had a recent experience where I was asked about my view or stance on a controversial topic.

And in that moment I felt a sense of hesitation on my part in deciding how to answer.

And this experience got me thinking about the nature of the question.

Was this being asked in order to truly gain a better understanding of my views?

Or was it just a test of some sort to see what team I'm on?

Now imagine for a moment any of the hot topics of the day could be political questions like

what are your views on immigration, what is your stance on gun control, moral or ethical questions?

Like what do you think of abortion?

Are you a vegetarian?

Why do you eat meat?

Or existential questions like do you believe in God?

What do you think happens when we die?

And of course we can't leave out the hot topic of the season.

You know, what are your thoughts about the Christmas classic baby it's cold outside?

Now as I thought about the specific question that I was being asked, it occurred to me like I said

...